The P-43 can be said to be the prototype of the P-47 Thunderbolt, and the prototype AP-4 was originally developed as an advanced version of the P-35. It became a high-altitude fighter with landing gear and a turbocharger in the lower fuselage. It was equipped with a 1200hp R-1380 air-cooled star-type 14-cylinder engine, and recorded a maximum speed of 565km/h in flight tests, making it the first U.S. military aircraft capable of exceeding 500km/h. Also, in 1942 it proved it was possible for it to climb over 10,000 meters, photographing the summit of Mount Everest from an altitude of 13,000 meters. The P-43 was the only Allied aircraft capable of intercepting the Japanese military’s Type 100 reconnaissance aircraft until the P-38 was introduced.
Features
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Comes with photo-etched parts and paint mask stickers
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Decals for four versions — Australian Air Force x 2, U.S. Army Air Force x1, ROC Air Force x1
Specifications
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Approximately 12.1cm long, 15.2cm wingspan when completed