Corgi US33816 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt USAAF 4th FG, 334th FS, "Miss Plainfield", Steve Pisanos, RAF Debden, England, 1943, w/Nose Art Panel

Corgi US33816 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt USAAF 4th FG, 334th FS, "Miss Plainfield", Steve Pisanos, RAF Debden, England, 1943, w/Nose Art Panel

The P-47 was designed by Alexander Kartveli in response to a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter and was first flown on May 6th, 1941. The later models of the aircraft featured a "bubble-top" canopy, which replaced the sharpened "razorback" fuselage, leading to improved visibility for pilots. The P-47 was a lethal pursuit aircraft and had 8 x 12.7mm machine guns mounted in the wings. Despite having a complicated turbosupercharger system, the P-47 was a sturdy aircraft with a tough radial engine that could absorb damage and still return home. The P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph. 

This particular aircraft was flown by ex-Eagle Squadron ace Steve Pisanos, who was of Greek descent. It was one of several 4th Fighter Group P-47s that were decorated with some of the most professionally rendered nose art seen in the European Theater. Four of Pisanos's five kills were claimed in this early built P-47D, which he named "Miss Plainfield". It remains a mystery why he chose this name. 

Corgi's 1:72 scale P-47 series includes both "razorback" and "bubble-top" canopy styles, with separate castings for each fuselage. These models are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal, with minimal plastic used. The radial engine and air intake details are visible within the oval engine cowling. The turbo-supercharger exhaust vent and separately applied intercooler exit doors are nicely detailed at the rear of the fuselage. Each release in the series comes with different weapons ordnance or external fuel tanks. The four staggered machine gun barrels that protrude from each of the wings' leading edges are constructed of rigid plastic, and there are shell casing vents below each wing.