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Zotz ZTZ32/040 1/32 Last Ever Thunderbolt decal sheet (Pt 2 of 2)

 

 

 

 

 

Zotz ZTZ32/040

1/32 Last Ever Thunderbolt decal sheet

(Pt 2 of 2)

 

 

Kit no: ZTZ32/040

Sheets: 3

Scale: 1/32th

Recommended Kit: Hasegawa Bubbletop & Trumpeter Razorback and P-47N kits

Colour Schemes : 4 USAAF (5 variations)

US $25 / UK £15.95 + shipping

Direct from Eli - PayPal address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .or from his distributers

http://www.zotzdecals.com/reviews/Zotz32040/zotz32040.htm

 

 

 

 

This is the second sheet in the thirty second scale in Zotz' last ever P-47 decal project (Say it aint so!) the first in this two set in 32nd scale is here and there are four 1/48th sheets that I am reviewing on the site here as well, some of the other sheets in this series have already been covered in the Excellent 1/24th sheet from Zotz reviewed by Jim here. So I can see why he doesn’t want to do anymore!!

 

Though the research done on these schemes is the same I am looking at all of these like they are a separate release. I can tell you that these schemes have not suffered from being printed in a smaller scale.

 

As you can see by this picture where I have caught the decals in the light the carrier film has been reduced to a minimum, always a good thing. The colours on each of these is correct in hue and the decals are printed in perfect register, some of the nose art and the aircraft stencils in particular can be seen in the finest detail without getting the ol' magnifying viewer out. They are not too big at all, but just very clear.

 

Let's get on to the schemes shall we???

 

P-47 "High Cover" 75, Le Shima 1944

 

P-47N "High Cover" - no 75 from the 7th air force's 333 fighter squadron, 318th fighter group in Le Shima in the Ryukyu archipelago in 1944-5. It's another in the black and Yellow tailed machines that flew out to attack Japan's mainland in defence of the bomber forces in early 1945

The tail was indeed black and yellow striped, and anyone who tells you it isn’t is looking at earlier photos where the tails weren’t finished yet. Kudos to Zotz who included them and gave you the option where as other manufacturer make you mask your own and don’t give you a choice. Here we have a picture of the nose art with the "High Cover" illustrated in the form of the lovely ladies clothing/or is it a powder puff?

 

 

 

· P-47 "Slick Chick" A7 B Serial Number 433221.

 

 

Slick chick is a favourite of mine, it's from a natural metal P-47 from the 395th Fighter Squadron, the 368th fighter Group. Flown by Lt.Col Frank Perego. Commander of that group.

 

This aircraft is depicted here in two versions, one with the colourful red nose and one without which was the earlier scheme. The "Slick Chick" nose art work is represented spectacularly here in 1/32 scale, the multiple mission markings on the port fuselage nose in clear register. You can choose which aircraft you want to portray but Im with the later scheme with the red scallop and noise.

 

 

Thanks to the 368thfightergroup.com for the excellent photos – check the site out

 

 

P-47 "Raid Hot Mama" 2Z D Serial Number 276569.

 

This scheme is of the Razorback "Raid Hot Mama", a P-47D-15 from the 510 Fighter Squadron, of the 405 Fighter Group, flown by Lt. John Drummond in 1944. The olive drab machine sports a blue canopy frame with yellow crew stencilling and rudder serial number, and the early style white cowl ring around the nose.

 

The "Raid Hot Mama" nose art looks very modern in its depiction I have always thought, and its again reproduced clearly and accurately here.

 

 

 

 

· P-47 "Chicken Bones" 6C 7 Serial Number 419561.

Piloted by Lt. Eddy was a P-47D-27 350th Fighter Group, 346th Fighter Squadron . Buzz numbers 6C7 emblazoned on the nose cowl with a massive red lettered "CHICKENBONES" on the port side. ("Chicken bones" was the nickname given to Lt. Eddy's wife on account of her being very thin.)

 

The rudder is NMF with black checks supplied on the sheet, two kill swastikas are provided for the port under cockpit, these victories were indecently against Italian pilots from the ANR. Here is a picture to show you i was able to get from the website of the 364th Photo Project. full credit to them for the photo it isnt mine but i do need to show you that this decal is right!

 

There are two emblems of what looks clearly like goofy flying a whisky barrel and C-ration crates with pop gun machine guns in the wings! Goofy's plane is very well rendered in miniature you can clearly see what looks like paint brush strokes on the flack of the emblem. I am sorry to say i could not find any actual pictures of this aircraft but i did fnd several profiles - i wont post a artwork here though.

 

A picture of Lt. Eddy can be seen at the bottom right of this page – isn’t the internets wonderful!!?

 

 

 

Here is some pictures of the actual planes and the decals in close up and in total…

 

What do We Think?

Brilliant sheets with some much needed subjects in this scale – nice to see there is something new out there for now a not so new kit – thanks to Zotz for not forgetting it and brining out a lovely addition to the 32nd scale decal selection.

Minimal carrier and perfect colour and register – you can't ask for much more.

 

9.5/10

 

Thanks to Zotz for the review sample – contact them directly HERE to get yours

Adam Norenberg