Miniart 1/48 P-47D-11RE Thunderbolt Basic Kit (48037)

This review is dedicated to Miniart 1/48 P-47D-11RE Thunderbolt Basic Kit (48037). New release comes as yet another version of the famous fighter aircraft. It is still molded in popular scale and should be interesting for all fans of WW2 aviation. Note that we get it in a simpler version which will have a bit more attractive price and also less parts inside. Nevertheless, whole quality won't be affected, so it can be a nice choice for those who don't need more. Overall packaging is typical, and all parts come sealed in a plastic bag. Let's open them and check everything together.

By the way, here you can read review with Bubbletop Basic Kit.
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Watch this video-review where I show all parts even closer.

On the first frames you can find wing mechanisation, tailwings and some landing gear bits. Separate frame carries fuselage panels, and another one is given for propeller parts.

Kit is full of various equipment, so you will have to decide on what you would like to see in your build. All parts divided into two halves have guiding elements inside.

Cockpit should be assembled out of several panels. Premolded features look fine and deserve a nice paintwork.

Yes, there is more equipment, and of course you won't be able to use all at once. Some of those will stay for your future projects in 1/48 scale.

Engine is given on the separate frame. It is nicely detailed even in the Basic Kit version, and it is good to see that Miniart didn't replace it with some plastic tab.

Each side of the wing should be glued out of two halves. External features include recessed panel lines and rivets.

Both fuselage halves are molded together with tail fin. External details are exactly the same as what we just saw on the wing parts.

Clear frame is packed into separate plastic bag. Molding quality is great, but there are no masks included.

Decals are printed in Cartograf, both sheets. Printing quality looks great, and there are decals for the cockpit too.

Stencils might be a bit tedious to apply, but final result should be worth it. You can see two marking options on the photo below.

Assembly manual is typical for this brand. I show all pages in the video-review.

New set should be already out and available for purchase. In my opinion it is a great pick for those who would like to get the best Thunderbolt on the market. Overall quality looks great, and there are a lot of features to work on. Moreover, some modelers would be happy not to work with PE, as it is too small for their eyes. I like the whole idea, and the only thing which I would recommend to get is the masks set which will give you a better-looking result.

Get this and other kits in Modelimex webshop.

Pros

• Nice molding quality
• Clever parts division
• Cartograf decals

Cons

• No masks for clear parts
• When pilot figurines will be out? :)