Franklin Mint 98144 1:48 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Chief Ski-U-Mah II Lt Duane Buholz 509th FS 405th FG WWII

An imposing and highly detailed 1:48 scale diecast representation of Republic P-47D Thunderbolt “Chief Ski-U-Mah II”, associated with Lieutenant Duane E. Buholz of the USAAF 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group during the closing stages of the Second World War. Released within the Franklin Mint Armour Collection under catalogue number 98144, also identified as B11B293, this substantial collector model recreates one of the distinctive natural-metal Thunderbolts operated by the United States Ninth Air Force in Europe.

The aircraft represented is identified as P-47D-27-RE Thunderbolt serial 42-27316, carrying the squadron code G9-J. It served with the 509th Fighter Squadron of the 405th Fighter Group, an organisation which operated the rugged Thunderbolt extensively in support of Allied ground forces as the fighting advanced across Western Europe.

Lieutenant Duane E. Buholz flew 72 combat missions between September 1944 and May 1945. His wartime service earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross together with the Air Medal and nine Oak Leaf Clusters, reflecting the demanding operational tempo experienced by Ninth Air Force fighter pilots during the final months of the European campaign.

“Chief Ski-U-Mah II” was distinguished by its colourful Native American chief nose artwork. The artwork was painted by Sergeant Eli Gutierrez, with Buholz reportedly supplying a Buffalo nickel as a visual reference for the chief's profile. The colourful feathered headdress became increasingly varied as chipped paint was repeatedly touched up using whatever colours were available.

The name “Ski-U-Mah” had a personal connection to Buholz's Minnesota background, being associated with the long-established University of Minnesota rallying cry. Combined with the elaborate chief artwork, the name gave the otherwise purposeful natural-metal Thunderbolt a particularly memorable identity.

The 509th Fighter Squadron formed part of the 405th Fighter Group and Ninth Air Force, whose Thunderbolts were used extensively for tactical air support rather than concentrating solely on air-to-air combat. Missions included attacks against vehicles, railway traffic, armour and other targets immediately ahead of advancing Allied ground forces.

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest single-engined fighters of the Second World War. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine and armed with eight .50 calibre Browning machine guns, the aircraft combined heavy firepower with exceptional diving performance and remarkable structural strength.

Although successful as a high-altitude escort fighter, the P-47 became particularly respected as a fighter-bomber. Its ability to carry bombs, rockets and external fuel tanks, combined with its ability to withstand considerable battle damage, made the Thunderbolt exceptionally effective during the Allied advance through France, Belgium and Germany.

This retired Franklin Mint Armour Collection release has considerable display presence in its large 1:48 scale. The model combines heavyweight diecast construction with the distinctive Chief Ski-U-Mah II nose artwork, G9-J squadron codes, natural-metal finish, olive-drab anti-glare panel, detailed cockpit, four-bladed propeller, underwing stores and fully reproduced landing gear.

Fact Sheet

Dimensions

Model Condition - Very Good (7/10)

Paintwork

• Paint bubbling is present across the wings, with some additional bubbling on the fuselage and a smaller amount on the underside.
• This type of paint bubbling is commonly seen on older silver-finished diecast aircraft across multiple brands as the models age.
• No breakages are present.

Decals

• The lower section of the "Chief" decal has faded.
• The small decal on the opposite side of the nose has also faded.

Display & Securing

• The aircraft is secured in place by two screws, which will require a Phillips screwdriver for removal.

Completeness

• Please note that the certificate is not included.

All noted areas have been photographed clearly to show the condition before purchasing. Despite the noted paint imperfections, the model still displays very well overall.

Box condition - Excellent (8/10)

• The box is in excellent condition for its age, with some shelf wear present.

Photographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.

Any imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.