Adding to their very nice SMI Library series is this one on the P-47 Thunderbolt. This one continues the previous edition by concentrating on the MTO, Asia and the Pacific. All of these units are with the USAAF. Not surprisingly, the #1 recipient of the Thunderbolt was Northwestern Europe and the 8th Air Force. Other theaters of operation were secondary and in the case of the Pacific, tertiary in terms of getting the Thunderbolt.

Those units in the MTO that flew the P-47 were those who were previously flying the P-40 and this included the six fighter groups of the 12th Air Force, and for a short time, the two of the 15th Air Force. The former consisted of the 27th, 57th, 79th, 86th 324th and 350th. The latter had but two, the 325th 332nd. These units rather quickly went over to the P-51 after their short stint with the Thunderbolt. The 12th and 15th Air Force operated from bases in Corsica and later some moved on mainland Italy while some others moved to Southern France; all in the last year of the war.

In Asia, there was the 33rd FG, the 81st FG and the 1st Air Commandos. These planes were mostly used in ground attack as there were not all that many Japanese aircraft around. The 348th FG was based in the New Guinea area before switching over to the P-38. In the Philippines the 35th FG and 38th FG flew the P-47, while out in the islands, the 318th FG first saw action on Saipan and later on Iwo Jima, where it was flying the only group to fly the P-47N during the war.

Typical of this series, the book provides a basic history of the units involved, followed by page after page of superb period photos, many of them taking up a full page. In addition to all this eye candy, there are four full color four views, three of which are there for the decals that come with the book. These decals provide only the unique markings for each of three scales. All of the common markings and large markings (such as rudder stripes) will need to be gleaned from the kit or painted on.  These include a P-47D from the 65th FS/57th FG, a P-47N from the 333 FS/318 FG and a P-47D from the 310 FS/58th FG as shown on the book cover. The decals are superbly printed and add quite a value to the book.

Those who are Thunderbolt fans will want to add this to their collection.

August 2013

Review book courtesy of the fine folks at Kagero. Visit them for more books.

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