Republic P-47 Thunderbolt the Operational Record

Ref: 5358

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{detailed description}The distinctive, rugged lines of this heavyweight single-seater quickly earned her the nickname 'jug', but what the Thunderbolt lacked in elegance she gained in strength and firepower. Alexander Kartverli designed this aeroplane for the US Army Air Corps as an interceptor fighter in 1940, her broad lines being necessitated by the dimensions of the 2,000hp Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp and its turbo supercharger.
Soon after America joined the war, the aircraft was employed as a long-range escort fighter, protecting B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators on their daylight raids over France and Germany. 3,916 enemy kills were recorded by the end of the war in its role as a fighter, but when the P-51 Mustang became available, its longer range made it more suitable for the escort task and a new ground attack flying war was to occupy most Thunderbolts for the rest of the war. At this they were superb, being able to carry bombs and eight machine-guns, attacking at 500 miles per hour in a hail of bullets and bomb bursts. By the end of the war they had accounted for the destruction of 6,000 tanks, 9,000 locomotives, 86,000 rail wagons and 68,000 trucks.
The Royal Air Force flew Thunderbolts in the campaign to recapture Burma from the Japanese invaders. Here again their role was principally ground attack, as was their use when many countries took advantage of the bargain prices for redundant aircraft when the war ended. Some of the air forces that have flown P-47s include those of France, Portugal, Italy, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and China.
15,683 Thunderbolts were built in World War II, yet there are now only 54 airframes known to exist. This book is a fitting tribute to that fine, rugged aeroplane.
{Author / Publisher / Date}by Jerry Scutts
published by Airlife 1998 1st edn. 167pp profusely illustrated with black and white photos, colour profiles 19x25
{condition}minor egde wear otherwise very good inc. d/j
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