Welcome to the 56th Fighter Group "Zemke's Wolfpack" Operation thread. This P-47 feast is in recognition of the recent release of 2 new books co-authored by Peter Randall and our own Nigel Julian (Lampie). Links to info on the 2 books below, just in case you haven't seen them !

56th Part 1

Zemkes Wolfpack

This Group Build will run from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. The 12 month duration is aimed to encourage some large scale builds, AM frenzies and dioramas.

The rules and regulations can be found HERE so please take a look and ensure that they are understood. Any queries please PM me. Most importantly, this Group Build requires that you create a dedicated Build Log thread for your build, separate from this thread, with the title to conform as follows:
56th FG P-47 Operation - (Builders Username)

I will post and update a list of links to these Build Log threads here in this first post:

Aussiereg (Damian) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback (COMPLETED) and fuel truck, Hasegawa "Follow Me" Jeep (COMPLETED)
Totalize (Dave) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback with Kitsworld Decals and Ultracast Resin
n_tuma749 (Nicholas) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback with Loon Models and Eduard enhancements COMPLETED
UrbanPirate (David) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Bubbletop with Aires Resin Cockpit and AM decal set
Lampie (Nigel) HERE Tamiya Triple:
1/48 Razorback finishing build in progress with Lone Star Resin belly and tank conversion (COMPLETED)
1/48 Bubbletop Invasion Stripes and Insignias masked and painted, decals on (COMPLETED)
1/72 Razorback (COMPLETED)
john41492 (John) HERE Monogram 1/48 Razorback with resin and scratch goodies
DarrenDickerson (Darren) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback with Ultracast resin
BlackWidow (Torsten) HERE Dual Tamiya build, 1/48 Bubbletop (COMPLETED) and 1/48 Razorback (COMPLETED)
spaarndammer (Jelger) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback plus PE
c4willy (Chris) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Bubbletop M (COMPLETED)

Finally, good luck to everybody with your builds and many thanks for joining in!

Cheers, D

We now have a Gallery for completed build images HERE , thanks Michael!

Cheers, D

Bump time, we have a second build log thread opened up now by Dave D (Totalize). You can find the links to all build logs in the first post.

Also take a look back at the lead-up discussion thread HERE if you get a chance, there are some great images and information and a lively discussion regarding the merits (or otherwise) of this Group Build format.

Cheers, D

Anybody know when P-47's started receiving their high altitude pressurized magnetos and ignition wires ie. What block? Seems they got them well before the Hellcats and Corsairs as they were needed to escort the bombers at 30,000 feet.

David

Build Log 3 has hit the bench with Nicholas (n_tuma749) setting himself up to do Bud Mahurin's "Spirit of Atlantic City, N.J."

Dave, I will dig out some reference material tonight and see if I can find the info you seek.

Cheers, D

To answer my own question so to speak I believe they started with the D-20 block and afterwards.

My review of the Photographic Odyssey is online now, I was just too busy reading it to write the review until now !

Cheers, D

Build Log 4 is up and running with David T (UrbanPirate) putting forward Fred Christensen's "Miss Fire" Bubbletop using the Tamiya quarterscale kit, Aires Resin tub and an AM decal set.

Best of luck David, looking forward to following your progress.

Cheers, D

For those of us who are striving for a level of accuracy and/or looking for info on the powerplant, there is a great thread on the P-47 SIG Forums called P&W 2800 - Which Magneto .

I totally forgot about this thread until I threw a couple of questions at Nige and he subtly guided me towards it. If you aren't familiar with it, check out the Thunderbolt Research Centre which has tons of information and links to references.

Everybody please feel free to link any relevant references here as it can only help all of us with our builds.

Cheers, D

Build Log 5 in this Group Build has hit the bench, and it promises to be a real treat!

Nigel(Lampie) has opened his account HERE with a Tamiya Triple:
A 1/48 Razorback finishing build in progress of Zemke's LM-Z with Lone Star Resin belly and tank conversion.
A 1/48 Bubbletop which will end up as UN-B "Anamosa II"
A 1/72 Razorback which will become HV-N "Liberty Belle"

Welcome aboard Nige, it is really great to have you contributing to this Group Build and congratulations to both yourself and Peter on both of the books

Cheers, D

Cheers guys, happy to be here.
I suppose you could say its all my fault lol.

Frank McCauley, 61st FS Ace approves too

Great picture Nige, and it is really great to see one of the original 56th pilots still in such good shape! What an amazing life story.

Steady progress being made on a few builds here, 2 months in to the 12 month "Odyssey" (shameless plug!). The first post in this thread has links to all of the Build Log threads so you can go and follow all of the action!

Cheers, D

Build Log 6 has hit the boards with Kitmaker newcomer John sharing his build of the Monogram 1/48 Razorback kit HERE with True Details and Quickboost resin Squadron glass, and some scratchbuilt goodies.
Welcome to the Kitmaker network John, and thanks for choosing this as your first Group Build entry.

Cheers, D

Bump time folks, and a head's up to check out some newly posted builds. One of my antipodean compatriots Darren Dickerson is a confirmed Jug-nut and has recently posted photos and details of 6 completed builds. For those of you who don't frequent the P-47 SIG forums, please make some time to check out the "Finished Builds" recent posts HERE .

Cheers, D

LOL bump away D I'm still looking for a kit of a P-47 ..... it's one of the fighters I don't have in my stash.

Well I hereby officially notify you that your meagre pile of styrene does not qualify for the term "stash" until such time as it contains at least one P-47 kit.

Intensify the search my friend, you will find one.

Cheers, D

LOL meagre? I am obviously a heretic LOL. I'm not a big fan of P-47's ..... is there a group I can attend? You know a support group for the P-47 challenged?

Build Log 7 is now in progress. Prolific P-47 builder Darren Dickerson is going to treat us to a build of Mike Gladych's Pengie II using the Tamiya 1/48 Razorback kit, Ultracast resin goodies and decals from Nigel and Peter's book.

The build log can be found HERE so please make sure you check it out and give Darren plenty of support.

Cheers, D

Hey D, I've got my kit of the P-47! A Tamiya 1/48 scale P-47M in the marking of the 56th FG no less! So no aftermarket decals required ... I hope! Should arrive on my doorstep in a couple of days. Will post pics after kit has arrived and has been fondled .... uh checked over by me.

Excellent choice Chris, great to hear! I look forward to the results of your fondl . . . . . checking over once you get hold of the kit.

Cheers, D

Kit has turned up and I must admit there is an awful lot of plastic in the box! Won't need half of it so plenty for the spares box. Here are pics of the individual sprues and a shot of the decals.

Now we're talking Chris, some proper styrene on your bench! They sure do pack in the stores, don't they.

Set yourself up a Build Log thread and get cracking mate, I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with this kit.

Cheers, D

Update time folks.

Some major progress on Nige's multiple build HERE with the 1/48 Razorback and the 1/72 Razorback both on the display shelf and the 1/48 Bubbletop painted ready for markings.

Darren's Razorback has been pre-shaded and painted, images due shortly HERE

John is doing a great job making over the old Monogram Razorback HERE including a bunch of resin goodies and a rescribe job.

As for MY PROJECT , the Razorback is painted, waiting on a coat of clear gloss. The little Jeep got its chequers painted on and is undergoing detail painting ready for assembly. The fuel truck is still in sub assemblies with a little painting done. If the postal service gods are kind, I might have a really cool surprise addition to this diorama arriving soon, can't say too much though.

Looking forward to more updates and hopefully some new build threads starting up soon.

Cheers, D

Bump time, 5 months into this 12 month Operation, plenty of time to get involved if you haven't already, and make sure you check out the progress on the Build Log Threads already under way. Links are in the first post of this thread which is updated as required.

Cheers, D

Hi all.

At the half way point in this Group Build here is an update of the current builds in progress:

Aussiereg (Damian) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback and fuel truck, Hasegawa "Follow Me" Jeep
Jeep COMPLETED, Fuel truck assembled ready for clear gloss and decals, Razorback decals on ready for clear gloss and weathering.

Totalize (Dave) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback with Kitsworld Decals and Ultracast Resin
No progress on the build, just research into markings and colours.

n_tuma749 (Nicholas) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback with Loon Models and Eduard enhancements
COMPLETED - more images pending

UrbanPirate (David) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Bubbletop with Aires Resin Cockpit and AM decal set
Some sub assemblies and interior paintwork

Lampie (Nigel) HERE Tamiya Triple: 1/48 Razorback with Lone Star Resin belly and tank conversion (COMPLETED), 1/72 Razorback (COMPLETED) 1/48 Bubbletop scheme, invasion stripes and national insignia painted

john41492 (John) HERE Monogram 1/48 Razorback with resin and scratch goodies
Modifications, rescribing, scratchbuilding, resin parts, subassemblies, some painting on components. Major project going well.

DarrenDickerson (Darren) HERE Tamiya 1/48 Razorback with Ultracast resin
Assembled, painted decals on

I know there are plenty more folks with a P-47 or two in the stash. Dig them out, find some 56th markings and join in!

Cheers, D