Aircraft / Scale Aircraft - Electric Scale Warbirds

Alfa Model P-47D Thunderbolt / Razorback

Aircraft History
This scale model depicts the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, a WW2 fighter. The actual aeroplane was created according to the specification issued by the USAAC technical command, using the lessons learned during the first period of the WW2. The semi-finished XP-44 lightly armed, lightly armoured interceptor project was soon completely rebuilt to the XP-47B. The new machine, powered by the eighteen-cylinder double row Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial, with a turbo-supercharger, had, despite its weight around 6 tonne, became an excellent, yet heaviest single-engine fighter of the WW2.

Its prototype took to air for the first time on May 6th, 1941. It joined the combat over Europe in spring 1943. It was the first US-built fighter that provided USAAF with a degree of superiority over the enemy fighters. It bore the brunt of the most difficult period of air offensive against Nazi Germany and imperial Japan. Its significant feature was the measure of protection it provided to its pilots. It was apparently the safest fighter of the period. Due to its aerodynamic finesse, weight and sturdiness the P-47 could follow enemy into any dive he could muster, or, vice versa, use its superior diving speed to evade enemy attack. Besides that it provided an extreme measure of protection in dangerous strafing attacks as well as in an eventual crash landing.

The P-47 Thunderbolts were series-produced in the B to N versions. The D-25 was its first variant with a full-vision bubble canopy. The M version was the "sprint" T'bolt with max. speed over 700 km/h, the N had a new wing of greater span and more fuel for the distances of the Pacific. Altogether 15 329 of P-47's were built, 12 600 of that number of the D variant. Their pilots flew 546 000 missions, destroying over 7 000 aircraft, 9 000 steam engines and 6 000 vehicles.

The most successful P-47 Thunderbolt unit was the 56th Fighter Group of the 8th Air Force, USAAF, that destroyed 1006 aircraft with 128 losses to their own numbers. The Thunderbolts served, besides the USA, in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guatemala, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, UK and the USSR.

The model kit you have bought has several noteworthy features:

It is almost ready to fly: you have to apply decals, install the propulsion unit and the RC equipment.
You can utilise the kit's box as the transport and storage container for the finished model.
The model is moulded from extruded polystyrene foam with a tougher surface layer, making the model more resistant to surface damage. All exposed places are also covered by additional plastic reinforcements. The strength/weight ratio of the model is high, therefore the danger of damage in normal operation is very low.
When designing this model the maximum attention was devoted to its aerodynamic layout (e.g. the semi-symmetrical wing section, the symmetrical horizontal tail section were used), ensuring high aerodynamic finesse, with the resulting wide band of operational speeds and docile flying characteristics typical for much larger models.
The range of proven power units offered enables to build a scale model of flight performance corresponding with that of the best slow flyers, as well as with the fully aerobatic models.
To control the model you need the RC equipment suitable for controlling the slow-flyers - it would enable you to fly majority of the aerobatic figures (with the possible exception of those that require the rudder control).
One of the decisive factors, affecting the flight performance and behaviour of the model, is its weight. The weight of the model without the battery pack should not exceed 320 grams. With a double-cell LiPol battery would probably weigh in at 380 grams, with the six-cell 500mAh NiCd pack about 420 grams. The specified maximum weight should in no case be exceeded - the flight behaviour of heavier models deteriorates accordingly. Due to the brisk pace of development of the propulsion units and batteries, we recommend that you always check the maximum current drain and choose a controller that corresponds to that current.

The supplied set of decals enables you to build model of P-47 of Maj. William Dunham, 348th Fighter Group, Leyte, Philippines, December 1944

The model is not suited for complete beginners, but its control with ailerons and elevator would not bring problems to any modeller experienced enough with elevator/rudder control models, e.g. slow-flyers. The flight qualities and performance of this scale model of the P-47D Thunderbolt are close to that of much larger models, i.e. they are more docile, and provide fine as well as colourful experience in the air.

Technical Data

wing span: 830 mm (32.7 inch)
length: 710 mm (28.0 inch)
wing area: 12,4 dm2
weight: 360 - 420 g (12.7 - 14.8 oz)
propulsion: Speed 280, 300, 330/6 V, AC MPJ series electric motors
controls: elevator, ailerons, motor