This is a "first look" review of the Revell - Germany, 1/72 scale P-47M, Kit No. 04141, released in Europe in October of 1999. I build primarily in 1/72 scale, when I build, and have been a fan of the P-47 for many years. 

Recently I had the opportunity to pick up the new Revell - Germany kit of the P-47M and at first glance I was favorably impressed. Here in Europe the kit cost about $5.00, but prices will undoubtedly vary in other parts of the world. Keep in mind that this "first look" is based on visual examination and dry fitting, as yet I have not built this kit. Also, it is possible 
that this is a "down-scaled" version of one of the recent 1/48 scale P-47 kits. Since I do not build in that scale I am not in a position to say for sure. The kit is crisply molded in grey plastic and features finely recessed panel lines and rivet detail. Further examination reveals several, of what may be "first's" in a 1/72 scale kit of a P-47.

DECALS: The decal sheet represents two (2) aircraft from the 56th Fighter Group's 61st Fighter Squadron. The 1st; is HV*M "Penguie V," flown by Captain Michael Gladych and the 2nd; is HV*Z (underlined), flown by Flight Lieutenant Witold Lanowki. Both aircraft are finished in a black upper surface with a neutral metal under surface. The decal colors look correct, the markings look correct, have a matt finish and are printed in Italy. Although, I have yet to use them they appear to be similar in quality to current Italeri decals.

ENGINE & COWLING: The first thing that caught my, upon opening the box, was a nice crisp paddle-blade propeller, which is correct for both the production P-47M's and N's. To my knowledge, this is a "first" in 1/72 scale. The engine is of three-piece construction, two (2) rows of cylinders and a crankcase for the R-2800-57 engine. The cowling includes a separate piece for the air duct faring and the firewall to support both the engine and intake structure. The firewall includes both the left and right oil coolers. A new innovation with this kit is the fact that the cowling has the cooling flaps molded in the open position. This particular feature may require some getting used to and the jury may be out for some time on how this look will be accepted by the modeling community as a whole.

FUSELAGE: The fuselage is the usual two-piece construction with the vertical stabilizer and rudder molded entirely on the left half of the fuselage. A separate dorsal fin is provided, thus allowing the modeler to depict a retrofitted P-47M are a late model P-47D. The turbo-supercharger exhaust is "boxed in" so that you do not see up into the fuselage. Separate parts are provided so that you can chose to open or close the intercooler exhaust outlet doors. Decals are provided to support your choice of positions for this part. The tailwheel assembly is of one-piece construction and is also "boxed in."

COCKPIT: The cockpit is nicely detailed and comes in five (5) separate pieces. Side consoles for the cockpit are molded on the insides of the fuselage. The instrument panel has the dials and gages molded in place and looks very respectable. Other parts include the pilots seat with seat-belts and harness molded in place, rear cockpit wall with armored headrest and the 
control column with its under-seat control linkages.

WINGS: The wings are of two piece construction and feature a detailed "boxed in" wheel wells. The .50 cal. machine guns are molded parallel to ghe ground as opposed to the dihedral of the wings. Another "first" in this scale, I believe. The main wheels feature a nicely detailed hub with spokes. The tires are however, perfectly round and devoid of any tread pattern whatsoever. The wing pylons for the bomb and drop tank shackles are molded separately so that they can be attached to the wing after painting and application of decals. It is my observation that the holes for these pylons may be a little bit out of place. I think that they should be further outboard on each wing, by the width of the pylons themselves. They are nicely done though and if this observation is correct this is an easy fix. Also, the landing light is positioned on the outer left wing, more appropriate for the P-47N in my view.

UNDERWING STORES: A separate spru contains a pair of P-38 drop tanks, ten (10) each 5" aircraft rockets on zero-length launchers and the engine crankcase. To my knowledge the 56th Fighter Group did not use either the 5" rockets or the P-38 stye drop tanks during operations in Europe. However, visions of a follow-on kit of the P-47N in 1/72 scale quickly come to mind and that would be very nice, very nice indeed!

CONCLUSION: I was quite favorably impressed with this kit and expect to have a number of them in my collection. Remember that this is a "first look" at a new kit that was only dry fitted, not actually constructed. I am anxious to hear what other modelers, especially those who are fond of the P-47 and the 56th Fighter Group, think of this kit.