Republic P-47D Thunderbolt – Maj. Glenn Eagleston, 354th FG, USAAF 1944 (Nose Art Panel)

Corgi Aviation 1/72 scale US33811: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 353rd FS, 345th FG, USAAF, Glenn Eagleston. One of the Nose Art series, with a large scale panel showing the aircrafts Nose Art insignia. Limited Edition of 2,700 models, intended mainly for US issue.

Length 6 inches Wingspan 6.75 inches

PLEASE NOTE: Model has a polished metal finish which will gradually tarnish with age.

The P-51 pilots of the 353rd needed a lift while they flew P-47’s and this distinctive nose art no doubt helped restore some of the morale to the pilots. Once P-51D Mustangs were restored to the unit in 1945, Eagleston began adding to his kill score again.

During WW2, young airmen separated from home, family, loved ones and a familiar way of life often sought ways of escaping the harsh reality of war by personalising their aircraft with what has become known as nose art. Humour, slogans, nicknames, cartoons, girls; all were used to bring a touch of light relief to their deadly day-to-day existence. The Corgi Nose Art range aims to capture some of the superb works of art that adorned aircraft on all sides of the conflict. Each model includes a diecast body panel featuring the art in colourful, large-scale detail.

Designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter, the P-47 was first flown on May 6th, 1941. Later models featured a “bubble-top” canopy rather than the sharply peaked “razorback” fuselage which resulted in poor visibility for the aircraft’s pilot. The P-47, a deadly pursuit aircraft, featured 8 x 12.7mm machine guns; all mounted in the wings. Even with the complicated turbosupercharger system, the sturdy airframe and tough radial engine, the P-47 (“Jug” or “Juggernaut” as it was nicknamed) could absorb damage and still return home. Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph.