SEAC P-47 Questions

[gonzo]

I'm building a model of a RAF SEAC P-47D-40 (the bubble top with fin extension) circa 1945 and wondered if anyone knows whether or not those aircraft retained the American harness or replaced them with the Sutton harness? Also, the Eduard detail set offers a choice of lower instrument panels without explanation. Would anyone have a cockpit picture of a D-40 showing that specific area???
Thanx in advance.
Iain

[Thunderjug]

visit this site p47.kitmaker.net/
Lampie will be more than happy to help.

[sanguin]

Gonzo,
What a tangled seat harness web we weave.....This link: www.britmodeller.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t12323.html
suggests Sutton but then it is contradicted by someone else near the end.
These links:
www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1288244228/about+Tomahawk+IIB+seat+belts+-
www.britmodeller.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t79349.html
indicate that the P-40 and P-51 in RAF service were fitted with Sutton harness.
However I have not yet found anything definitive about the P-47.
This book may help, either buy second hand or go through your local library:
www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-Force-Thunderbolts-Geoff-Thomas/dp/0904811085
Here are a couple more builds that may help:
www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=47961
www.scribd.com/doc/18026928/MODELING-THE-P47-THUNDERBOLT-MOD-11
the last one you scroll down to page 42 and just read if you don't download it.

As to the instrument panel, if you Google P-47 instrument panel there are images of differing versions but none say what version they are from and when.
You might find this worth a look, though:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcGoc7P1MnA
Good luck,
John