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Frontal P-47 view, with exception of metallic surface paint, all other parts hand-painted. 2@500-lb bombs painted WW2-era US Army olive drab, gloss red engine cowling stripe represented FAV fighter squadron, flat black stripe from pilot cockpit to engine cowling is anti-glare surface (prevent metallic or glossy paint surface from being blinded by sunlight), this flat surface stripe is indicative on all non-camouflaged aircrafts since 1930s. Markings on four propeller blades are manufacturer brand icon and product description. 500 lb Bomb Airburst (modern) - www.livevideo.com/video/4BDD9672B9D043C6A2193A44994D81F1/500-lb-bomb-explosion.aspx
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Concerning US bombs, there was  massive stockpiles of various sizes from WW2 onward, hence some were sold as spare munition to 3rd world countries, others were used in US operations in 1950s Korea and 1960s Vietnam. However, WW2 era bombs did not have a thermal blanket (extra layer of metal sleeve) to prevent "cook-off" (bombs exploding from fire outbreaks).
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It was these WW2-era bombs which contributed to infamous 29 July 1967 Forrestal Accident when the US carrier was racked by exploding ordnances during flight-prep for airstrike against North Vietnam resulting in 200 causalities (Arizona Senator John McCain was a fighter pilot on the Forrestal narrowly escaped this disaster). USS Forrestal (CV-59) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Forrestal
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"Thud" is packed with 8@50-caliber heavy machine guns, originally designed for ground attack role. Original plastic parts were too delicate to be fitted with liquid cement (since the cement would actually melt the parts). Hence, used more sturdy electrical leads and superglued them in place. US 50-caliber machine gun was developed in 1930s as an anti-tank weapon since majority of thinly armored vehicles would be readily disabled by its munition. M2 Browning machine gun - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_Browning_machine_gun
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Inset 1 : 1950s FAV used tri-color roundel markings of Yellow-Blue-Red. Decided to scavenge my decal sheets of 1/72 and 1/48 scale British Royal Airforce (RAF) insignia, which used combinations of red-blue-white-yellow. Took 1/48 RAF Type A1 roundel with yellow outline, cut out inner white circle, then placed 1/72 RAF Type B roundel in concentric position. All decals sealed with Microscale Decal Setting Solution for a snug fit. Royal Air Force roundels - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Air_Force_roundels
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Rollover : "Thud" wing view, black strikes created by brushing black pastel along panel lines, then  rubbed with cotton cloth for blur effect. Plane Nose Art of scantily clad Latina gal with title "La Parchinita" was custom designed by editing image with Adobe Illustrator, exported to Microsoft Powerpoint, and printed out on color printer onto clear decal sheet.
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In Venezuelan culture, "La Parchinita" means "little passion fruit" alluding to sensuous elegance of Latina gal. However, Venezuelan slang "Parchita" (passion fruit) is reference to homosexuals, which in "Machismo" and Catholic dominated South American societies is considered taboo and outcaste (other more common Spanish term is Marcion or "Faggot"). Passiflora edulis - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passiflora_edulis
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Inset 2 : Where all modeling projects begin, rudimentary P-47 model kit with about 15 major parts, fuselage already glued together. This Testor kit lacked detailing contrasted with more expensive brands like Japan's Tamiya, Korea's Academy, or US Monogram-Revell. But with some insight and imagination, all models can be brought up to par. P-47 Fighters in action during WW2 in Europe - www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gwv8r4k1KU
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