TFC P-47G Thunderbolt Unveiled

[Pat Carry]

One word, nice!

[gsmorehead]

If anyone can help us obtain a photo of the new P-47, with permission to publish, let me know! I contacted TFC but was dismissed with the reason "Too busy with Legends. Talk soon." which is probaly true, or they could be discriminating in favor of another magazine. It's a worthwhile news item and I would love to share it with Warbird Digest readers!

Sincerely,

Greg Morehead, editor
Warbird Digest

greg@warbirddigest.com

[Boghopper]

Have viewed many original ETO P-47 images, it was noted that when the RAF Spitfire mirror was fitted they moved the Republic version to the lower front of the windshield.

This did not happen on every machine, but as we have a Republic mirror the decision was made to fit it, a unusal but authentic fitment.





Seen on "Buds" aircraft with the 56th

[JohnTerrell]

Very cool! I love those authentic, yet rather obscure details. From the second photo, it looks like it did the job well too! It is similar to what I have often seen in photos of P-51B/C's, in which the rectangular-mirrors that came installed with the N-3 sight, were removed and re-positioned onto the canopy framing (internally) to provide more side/rear-view coverage.

Also, when seeing the mission tally markings authentically painted over the production block stencil, as original, I can't help but like that attention to detail as well, because I wonder, two decades ago, how many would have rather, with a similar paint scheme, re-positioned either the production block stencil, or the mission tally markings, so as to not have one detail cover up the other.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Wed Jun 15, 2011 2:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[agent86]

In the words of EAA carpenter and exhibit builder Kenny Schucknecht, "BEAUTIMUS!!!!"

The official term is Beautimus Maximus!

[usaf ssgt]

I have to agree, WOW, what a looker!
So much for a subdued camo paint job in a combat area! I love it!

What is the history of this P47?
Is it a fresh restoration, or a repaint of a current flyer?

Thanks,
Leon

[Django]

I'd call it a fresh restoration of a former flyer, correct?

[mustangdriver]

This is the P-47 that used to be painted as "Little Demon". It was restored here at Elkhart, IN by Ray Stutsman. Then it was on display at the LSFM for years. This is a great paint scheme, although part of me will miss the Little Demon paint job.

[bomberflight]

If anyone can help us obtain a photo of the new P-47, with permission to publish, let me know!

SORTED

And thanks for the PM Greg !

As an avid reader of Warbird Digest myself ~ I'm looking forward to seeing it appear in a forthcoming issue

[usaf ssgt]

Thanks for the replies.
I remember seeing Little Demon at Oshkosh years ago.

I have to say, this time around, she is a knock out beauty!

Leon

[Speedy]

This is the P-47 that used to be painted as "Little Demon". It was restored here at Elkhart, IN by Ray Stutsman. Then it was on display at the LSFM for years. This is a great paint scheme, although part of me will miss the Little Demon paint job.

I'll echo what I said in an earlier post...that I had a fond spot for Little Demon (the subject of my very first air-to-air photo shoot) and was really hoping that TFC was going to reapply those markings. But wow. I like. And last night I was rooting around the net and found black and white photos of the real Sanfu in a gear-up landing at Duxford...so it added to the 'wow' factor. My new favorite P-47 scheme!

Little Demon will always maintain that soft spot, but I am jealous of Mudge the Lucky and hope that he gets to see Snafu taking off of that green Duxford grass in a couple weeks.

[StangStung]

Beautiful! Thanks for the pics bomberflight!

[sgt hawk]

That 47G is sweet! Nice photos bomberflight. That crew that did the restoration must be ex-RAF guys. Heck, half of them are wearing "Air Force Gloves". (That's US Army slang for havin your hands in your pockets!)

[JDK]

Another high-standard UK-researched and applied scheme of US colo(u)rs...

Quite.

The P-40 was earning cash with a temporary scheme. Let's not list the number of unfortunately-permanent, current schemes that shouldn't be. And I'm not pointing fingers nationalistically (I don't have a dog with markings in that fight) but note that each excellent scheme like this encourages a raising of the general standard. So the positive feedback, as here, fulfils a useful role model guide for those likely to reach for the cans of near-enough paint.

[Speedy]

Another high-standard UK-researched and applied scheme of US colo(u)rs...

Quite.

The P-40 was earning cash with a temporary scheme. Let's not list the number of unfortunately-permanent, current schemes that shouldn't be.

LOL, yeah...if we're gonna play that game then can we throw in the 'reversed' markings on the Spits and Buchons in "Eagles Over London", or the PoF's P-51A painted as a -109 in Iron Eagle III? How about the Buchon with the fake Mustang scoop in Patton?

I'll take anything restored by TFC any day of the week.