For their second new sheet, I'll turn to 1/48 (these are available in all the major scales). This sheet covers three early OD over Neutral Grey 'Razorback' P-47s. The builder will need to do some work in order to replicate the C and early D aircraft. This mainly consists of changing the lower cowl flaps and removing the wing pylons as these aircraft were not fitted for them. I'm also thinking that the keel for these planes was not as deep as on later P-47Ds, but I'll leave that up to the experts to determine.

BarracudaCals offering is Duane Beeson's 'Boise Bee' a D model from the 334th FS in early 1944. This one retains the white tailplane ID bands and nose.

Next is also from the 334th and coded exactly the same as Beeson's plane. However, it is a C model and while it is listed in the instructions as being from exactly the same time frame as the one above, it probably was from 1943 some time as a unit wouldn't have two identically coded planes on hand.  This one is named 'Wela Kahoe'.

Finally from the Checkertails of the 325th FG comes Don Kearns' plane It has the standard checkered tail with a red nose band and yellow prop hub and forward waste gate door. The black checks are provided as decals so one simply paints the area underneath them in yellow. This is a later D model with the wing pylons and named "Dallas Blonde"

The sheet instructions are very nicely done in full color and provide an excellent data placement guide. The Microscale printed decals are crisply  done and the nose art markings are especially well printed.  

My thanks to BarracudaCals for the review set. E-mail them at barracudacals@gmail.com for more information and to order your set.

September 2008

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.