The P-47 Thunderbolt is undoubtedly one of the favorites amongst aircraft modelers. Kits, decals and accessories abound, leaving the modeler with the unenviable choice of what to pick!

Osprey's 'modeling the' series has always been just chock full of great modeling articles, using the best kits and accessories to produce superb reproductions. This one is no exception and provides  excellent build articles. As with all Osprey books in this series, it is full color with large, crisply printed photographs. A short history and chart of distinguishing features of all the various subtypes is provided. One thing that is missing from this chart is what prop was used. P-47 fanatics key on the prop to determine variants and this omission is a bit puzzling. There is also an excellent chart of currently available decals and other accessories that I'm sure you'll find useful.

The articles include building:

• A P-47C using the Tamiya 1/48 kit

• A Tamiya 1/48 P-47D razorback from the box

• A Tamiya 1/48 P-47D bubbletop using a few aftermarket pieces

• A Tamiya 1/48 bubbletop using a few more aftermarket pieces

• An Academy 1/48 bubbletop using a ton of aftermarket bits

• Converting a Hasegawa 1/48 P-47D to a P-47M

• Finally, building ProModeler's P-47N using only an aftermarket cockpit set.

I can tell you that I picked up quite a few tips reading this book and I'm sure you will too. I really have to be honest and tell you that as nice as this book is, it is missing something. Yep, no 1/72 or 1/32 kits at all, and all the kits used are basically pretty new. I've come to expect these books to be a Tamiya-fest and this one is no exception. While Tamiya kits are very nice, it would have challenged the modelers more to use some of the older kits. It would have been nice to see what these folks could do with a Monogram kit (of which there is one photo), or Otaki version, or even the old Hawk kit. Likewise, the Hasegawa, or Revell AG or Tamiya 1/72 kits, or even the big Revell 1/32 versions could have been offered some space just to make things a bit different (though it is quite likely that the Tamiya 1/72 kit was not released when this book was sent to the publisher). (Late note: I have been told that the 1/72 section is available in PdF format at the publisher's website. Here is the URL: www.ospreypublishing.com/p-47. Ed)

Regardless, I have to suppose that the idea is to produce the best model that can be done and in this case, that has been done. If you have enjoyed reading the other books in the series, then you'll find this one to be just as good. Who knows, it may even inspire some to put down the 109s and build something beefy for a change!

Available in bookstores everywhere, through Classic Motorbooks at (800) 826-6600 or at www.motorbooks.com. For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com

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