Republic P-47D Thunderbolt | Academy
Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP)

F-47D-30-RE of Esquadrão 10, Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP) at Base Aérea 3, Tancos c.1955

A fairly straight out of the box build using the Academy P-47D as the basis for the variant used by the Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP). Based on the limited written and visual inform I believe the Thunderbolt variant used is the P-47D-30-RE, which I think was labeled F-47, either as an export product or possibly locally by the FAP.

Much of the painting and marking information will follow along the lines of the NMF of the kit instructions, but with the Santa Cruz decals replacing the USAF national markings. One thing that is up in the air is that I have conflicting information about the colour of the anti-dazzling/reflection/glare strip painted on the upper fuselage forward of the canopy; in some sources it”s black while in others it’s olive drab.

One significant caveat is the dorsal spine extension running from the base of the vertical stabilizer rudder to mid-way forward up the tail. The Academy kit does not have this part because it is for a more generic P-47D. The FAP variant is the P-47D-30-RE I believe which had this added feature. I am tinkering with the idea of scratch building it but don’t know yet how to approach it and if my skills are there yet.