Zotz Decals

1/24 - P-47D Silverscreen Jugs For Any 1/24 P-47D kit

Stock Number: ZTZ24-001

Reviewed By  Robert DeMaio, IPMS# 45186

MSRP: $29.95 Website: http://www.zotzdecals.com/new.htm I continue to be awed by the decals that Zotz produces. One of their newest releases is of 1/24 scale decals called Silverscreen Jugs for P-47D Thunderbolt "bubble" canopy aircraft. There are two reference sheets showing the decorations of six aircraft, paired off with two large decal sheets with the necessary markings to complete any six aircraft. These reference sheets have terrific color profiles, wing views, stabilizer, even propeller and wheel hub details that you really don't have to buy a reference book. The reference is accurate. These pilots were famous and Internet material on them is readily available. Here is a brief description of the aircraft and markings included: P-47D-28-RE flown by Lt. William Weyland in Europe, nose art is Sleepy Jean of the 3rd. P-47D-28-RA flown by Lt. Talmadge Ambrose in Europe, nose art is Dorothy K. P-47D-28 flown by Robert Brulle in Europe, nose art is Virginia. P-47D-25 flown by Col. Fred Christensen Jr. in Europe, nose art is Miss Fire/Rossie Geth II. P-47D-28-RA flown by Lt. Ralph Barnes in the Pacific, nose art is Passionate Patsy. P-47D-28-RA flown by Captain Neil Stanley, nose art is Daddy Rabbit.

There is a fifth sheet included, consisting of painting templates to get the cowling shapes accurate for Passionate Patsy and Sleepy Jean the 3rd. Every nose art image is so picture perfect that I wonder if these actually looked that perfect painted on the aircraft. Well if they didn't, my model will certainly be more outstanding than the real aircraft. The registration on every decal is so tight I couldn't find any excess flash that needed to be trimmed. There is such uplift surrounding this decal release, but as are many hundreds of other decal sheets, the national insignia is only supplied for one out of six models to complete. The high price tag is almost the same as a 1/48 scale model import cost. An additional sheet of just National Insignias for another aircraft would have been a nice perk for Zotz if modelers want to build a second Thunderbolt. I guess if we're patient down the road we'll probably see them stand alone in a decal package as this model scale increases in production. I could some up this decal package with one word, exquisite! Worthy of buying if you build 1/24 scale P-47D's. Hmmmm.... Where do we find a 1/24 scale Thunderbolt?