[Ara1]

Originally Posted by Black 6

The white and black stripes (here's a pic of my model)

That's nice Black 6, it's the first cammo'ed FM P-47 I really like to looks of.

[Black 6]

Originally Posted by Elmer

That looks real nice! Thanks for posting the pic B6! And thanks to you and Pappy for helping shed some light on this--clearing up my confusion. B6... are the kill flags "real" swazis, or Dominos Pizza flags?

You'll be happy to know they are real swazis on this version.

[Black 6]

I think you would be happy having one Ara (I am).

[Elmer]

Ara...

I picked this one up at OMI during its red tag sale. I am happy to report it is nicely done. B6's pic convinced me... and I am glad I did. Mine is just like B6's... it is a different animal from the one Pappy has on his web-site. The paint work is first rate; the fuselage invasion stripes are complete, white/black alternating... and nicely applied. As best I can tell, all decals are pad printed... including the extensive stenciling (probably not the plastic prop though, but they are applied well). Speaking of the stenciling, it gives the model a more detailed look, for as you know, there isn't a lot of mold detail to behold.

When I was a kid, I modeled (badly) Gabby's D-Day bird from the 1:48 Monogram kit. I have always wanted to replace it. I waited, and waited, and waited for Dragon to do it; but I finally decided I would wait until the cows came home. Based on Pappy's review, I was skiddish on FM's version. But I am glad I learned it was re-done, and B6 is right... it is much better than the one on Pappy's site. Thanks B6 for enlightening me. I heartily recommend this one. After all, you gotta love the 56th FG... the top group in VIII Fighter Command, and the lone hold-out in the 8th, refusing to replace its T-Bolts with Mustangs. This livery is my favorite of all Jug liveries... Gabby's mount looks sharp with all those kill flags in its Normandy Invasion clothes.

Now you can all stick it to me for picking up an FM Thunderbolt...

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by Elmer

Now you can all stick it to me for picking up an FM Thunderbolt...

OMG Elmer, ya got a Franklin Mint...

Sky's turning light green as we speak...

If you have the ACES and ACES II books by Squadron you can read a lot about Gabby. The only (or one of the very few?) US airmen who was an ace in 2 wars... I read the article 3 days ago and of course I've forgotten nearly everything because I'm OLD and a NUTTER but I'll give it a re-read and come back with a better summary than this one.

You guys may be interested to know that the fuselage invasion stripes of just white (with the black omitted) is reproduced either as an actual photograph or an artwork profile from one of my books, again I'll have to check it. So FM or Armour weren't simply lazy on the pad printer that day...

I'm thinking the photo was taken before the black paint was applied to Gabby's plane.

I can get Gabby's P-47 delivered for $60, is this a good deal?

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Elmer

Ara...


Now you can all stick it to me for picking up an FM Thunderbolt...

On the contrary Elmer -- welcome to The FM Collective

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by Ara1

OMG Elmer, ya got a Franklin Mint...

Sky's turning light green as we speak...

If you have the ACES and ACES II books by Squadron you can read a lot about Gabby. The only (or one of the very few?) US airmen who was an ace in 2 wars... I read the article 3 days ago and of course I've forgotten nearly everything because I'm OLD and a NUTTER but I'll give it a re-read and come back with a better summary than this one.

You guys may be interested to know that the fuselage invasion stripes of just white (with the black omitted) is reproduced either as an actual photograph or an artwork profile from one of my books, again I'll have to check it. So FM or Armour weren't simply lazy on the pad printer that day...

I'm thinking the photo was taken before the black paint was applied to Gabby's plane.

I can get Gabby's P-47 delivered for $60, is this a good deal?

$60 seems a bit high for this model right now Ara, you can get better deals I think.

[Ara1]

Originally Posted by PappyB

$60 seems a bit high for this model right now Ara, you can get better deals I think.

Thanks Pappy. If you know of any, I'd be open to a PM.

I got some info on your Gabby P-47 w/o black fuselage stripes. In the Squadron ACES book there are full color top and side profiles of this machine with only the white stripes; the sections we typically see in black are simply cammo as per the rest of the fuselage. I have not seen photos to document/verify this artwork, but Franklin Mint/Armour may have used these diagrams as guides for their initial models.

Some neat facts I learned in re-reading Gabeski's history:

He ended the war by flying his P-47 into the ground during a low level 1944 strafe over France. (Oh, to see that on film). Was captured and spent the remainder of the war in a PoW camp...

He achieved 28 of his victories in an 11 month period...

Was the highest scoring American Ace of the European Theater...

Liked to fly combat with only half of his wing ammo loaded, as this allowed him to turn with the 109's...

Was at Pearl during the attack... no victories. Flew for the RAF in B of B... no victories... got his first kills (2 Bf 110's) after over two years of combat...

Refused to use tracers as he felt it gave away his position...

[PappyB]

I've just seen them go for less of late on ebay --- $30's plus s&h. From a retailer $60 delivered is probably pretty good with this livery.

thanks for that info -- interesting to know the first paint job may have been correct, and some other cool factoids to know, too.

[Captain Eddie]

Some neat info there, Ara, thanks!