{"product_id":"franklin-mint-98144-1-48-republic-p-47d-thunderbolt-chief-ski-u-mah-ii-lt-duane-buholz-509th-fs-405th-fg-wwii","title":"Franklin Mint 98144 1:48 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Chief Ski-U-Mah II Lt Duane Buholz 509th FS 405th FG WWII","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLieutenant 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e“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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest single-engined fighters of the Second World War. Powered by the Pratt \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Franklin Mint\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Armour Collection \/ Precision Models\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Code\/MPN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 98144\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlternative Reference:\u003c\/strong\u003e B11B293\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Republic P-47D-27-RE Thunderbolt\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chief Ski-U-Mah II\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial:\u003c\/strong\u003e 42-27316\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e G9-J\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lieutenant Duane E. Buholz\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit\/Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAir Force:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Ninth Air Force\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator\/Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Army Air Forces \/ United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict:\u003c\/strong\u003e Second World War\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre:\u003c\/strong\u003e European Theatre of Operations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1944-1945\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRole:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fighter \/ Fighter-Bomber \/ Tactical Ground Attack\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Pilot Service:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 combat missions, September 1944 to May 1945\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Awards:\u003c\/strong\u003e Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArmament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eight .50 calibre Browning machine guns plus optional external ordnance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Retired collector model\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with detailed plastic sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chief Ski-U-Mah II Native American nose artwork, authentic G9-J squadron markings, natural-metal finish, olive-drab anti-glare panel, detailed cockpit, four-bladed propeller, underwing stores and detailed landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 9\" or 22.9 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 10\" or 25.4 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Very Good (7\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaintwork\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaint bubbling is present across the wings, with some additional bubbling on the fuselage and a smaller amount on the underside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis type of paint bubbling is commonly seen on older silver-finished diecast aircraft across multiple brands as the models age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo breakages are present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecals\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe lower section of the \"Chief\" decal has faded.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe small decal on the opposite side of the nose has also faded.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay \u0026amp; Securing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe aircraft is secured in place by two screws, which will require a Phillips screwdriver for removal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompleteness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlease note that the certificate is not included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAll noted areas have been photographed clearly to show the condition before purchasing. Despite the noted paint imperfections, the model still displays very well overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Excellent (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe box is in excellent condition for its age, with some shelf wear present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Franklin Mint","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57847234724222,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_6064.jpg?v=1786710743","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/franklin-mint-98144-1-48-republic-p-47d-thunderbolt-chief-ski-u-mah-ii-lt-duane-buholz-509th-fs-405th-fg-wwii","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}