{"product_id":"thunderbolt-mk-1-royal-air-force-1-48-model-kit-by-miniart","title":"Thunderbolt Mk.1 Royal Air Force 1:48 Model Kit by MiniArt","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:48 scale plastic model kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccurately represents the Republic Thunderbolt Mk.I in Royal Air Force service\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighly detailed cockpit with realistic interior components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFinely engraved panel lines and authentic surface detail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney radial engine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClear canopy parts with excellent transparency\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccurate RAF-specific Thunderbolt Mk.I configuration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed landing gear and wheel wells\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthentic RAF markings with two decal options\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrecision-moulded plastic parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterslide decal sheet included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIdeal for World War II aviation collections, RAF displays, or Allied aircraft diorama projects\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBrand:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e MiniArt\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScale:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1:48\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubject:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Republic Thunderbolt Mk.I (Royal Air Force)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Injection-moulded plastic\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSkill Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Suitable for intermediate modellers\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaint \u0026amp; Glue Required:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Yes (sold separately)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Age:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 14+\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlastic sprues\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClear canopy parts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetailed engine components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLanding gear components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWaterslide decal sheet with two RAF marking options\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistory of the Original Aircraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRepublic Thunderbolt Mk.I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was the Royal Air Force designation for the early \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eP-47D Razorback Thunderbolt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e supplied by the United States during the Second World War. Designed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRepublic Aviation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest single-engine fighter aircraft ever built, combining exceptional durability with heavy firepower and impressive high-altitude performance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aircraft first entered service with the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and quickly established a reputation as a formidable escort fighter. Powered by the powerful \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e radial engine, the Thunderbolt could reach speeds exceeding 430 mph while carrying a substantial fuel load and heavy armament.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe RAF received the Thunderbolt Mk.I in 1944, primarily for operations in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSouth East Asia Command (SEAC)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Unlike its American counterparts, which were heavily employed as bomber escorts over Europe, RAF Thunderbolts were mainly used as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efighter-bombers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, attacking Japanese supply lines, troop concentrations, bridges, and transport networks across Burma and neighbouring regions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aircraft's rugged construction proved invaluable during low-level attack missions. It could withstand significant battle damage while carrying bombs, rockets, and its standard armament of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eeight .50 calibre Browning machine guns\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This combination of firepower, speed, and survivability made the Thunderbolt one of the most effective ground-attack aircraft of the war.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the RAF later received improved bubble-canopy \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThunderbolt Mk.II\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e aircraft, the Mk.I played an important role in introducing the type into British service. Both variants contributed significantly to Allied success in the Far East during the closing stages of World War II.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, the Republic Thunderbolt is remembered as one of the finest Allied fighter aircraft of the conflict. Its combination of power, reliability, and versatility earned it an outstanding combat record and secured its place among the most respected military aircraft in aviation history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Snapshot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e United States (operated by the Royal Air Force)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEntered Service:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1944 (RAF)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRole:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fighter-Bomber \/ Escort Fighter\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Republic Aviation\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngine:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e One Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial engine\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrimary Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Eight .50 calibre Browning M2 machine guns\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecondary Armament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bombs and unguided rockets\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Speed:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 697 km\/h (433 mph)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRange:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 1,660 km (1,030 miles)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an unassembled plastic model kit. Paint, glue, and modelling tools are not included. Recommended for ages 14 and over.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SCH Models","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60065591034190,"sku":"MIN48033","price":42.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1051\/3360\/5198\/files\/MIN48033.jpg?v=1784856614","url":"https:\/\/schmodels.co.uk\/products\/thunderbolt-mk-1-royal-air-force-1-48-model-kit-by-miniart","provider":"SCH Models","version":"1.0","type":"link"}