This document provides a guide on replacing the blast tubes on a 1/48 Monogram P-47 model kit. It outlines the necessary tools and steps required for the replacement process, emphasizing the importance of measuring and spacing the new tubes correctly. The final result allows for a smoother building experience and enhanced model appearance.

1. SCRATCHBUILDING | Replacing the
Blast Tubes on a 1/48 Monogram P-47
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2. Monogram’s 1/48 P-47 kits (and their Revell reissues) are pretty great
kits. They don’t come close to the detail and engineering of the Tamiya
Jugs, but they build extremely fast and they still look slick after paint and
decals. And they’re cheap!
The kind of kit where I’m totally willing to overlook a lot of sloppy
detail work (like...the entire cockpit). But the stick of plastic that pass
for blast tubes must go.
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3. For this quick fix, you’ll need a few items:
• Some kind of micro-drill
• 90-degree angle styrene
• Styrene solvent glue (Tenax 7R, etc)
• Calipers
• Replacement blast tubes*
*Protip: Have a 1/48 Tamiya P-47? Snag a nice set of Master or Quickboost
blast tubes for it, and steal the styrene ones for the Monogram kit
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4. Step 1: Measure your Tubes
The P-47 had staggered
blast tubes, and it’s
important to know how
far they protrude so you
can stagger the
replacements effectively.
It should be around
9mm, 6mm, 3mm, with
the last more or less flush
with the wing.
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5. Step 2: Cut & Drill
After taping the wings together, cut off the kit’s sorry excuses for
blast tubes.
Then drill out the remnants.You may want to use a pin or old
airbrush needle to punch a small starter hole.
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6. Step 3: Mount Backstops
Take the length of your
replacement blast tubes,
subtract the distance they’re to
protrude from the wing, and
mark it. So if your tube is 15mm
and protrudes 9mm, you’ll need
to mark 6mm in.
Next, cut your angle styrene
into small lengths and tack it in
place with solvent glue.
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7. Step 4: Test Fit
Tape the wings back
together and test to make
sure that:
1 - The blast tubes fit
comfortably into the
drilled holes
2 - The backstops are
spaced at the proper
intervals.
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8. That’s it! Now you can build the kit as
you would and install the blast tubes
toward the end, all painted and
pretty. Good hunting!
That’s all there is to it! Remove the
blast tubes, proceed with the build,
and re-install them all painted and
pretty at the end.
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