Why was the P-47 Thunderbolt such a powerful weapon?

“The Thunderbolt could take a lot of damage,” Kinney says. “It was designed to be rugged and became a preeminent fighter of World War II, flying in all major theaters and developing this mythic quality because of its durability.”

How many P-47 shot down?

By the end of the war, the 56th FG was the only 8th Air Force unit still flying the P-47, by preference, instead of the P-51. The unit claimed 677.5 air victories and 311 ground kills, at the cost of 128 aircraft.

How much does a p47 Thunderbolt cost?

Republic Aviation factories in Long Island, New York and in Evansville, Indiana, along with a Curtis plant in Buffalo, assembled 15,600 Thunderbolts between 1942 and 1945 — that’s an average of 360 a month for three and a half years. Each plane cost $85,000 (about $1.1 million in 2015).

What does P stand for in P-47?

For example, before the new system, the Army Air Force used the “P” designation, which stood for pursuit, on a wide variety of its fighter aircraft, like the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-38 Lightning.

What was the strongest plane in WW2?

The P-51 is widely regarded as the finest all-around piston-engined fighter of World War II to have been produced in significant numbers. Approximately 1,500 Merlin-powered Mustangs were used by the RAF for daylight duties over Europe, and the plane was produced under license in Australia toward the end of the war.

How many airworthy P 47s are there?

The last air force to operate the Thunderbolt would be the Peruvian Air Force, who would retire the P-47 in 1966. Today, there are only 15 airworthy P-47s. Many of these continue to fly regularly as warbirds at airshows.

What does the F mean in f16?

F in F-16 Stands for Fighter. Where As. A – Attack. B – Bomber.

Why is the P-47 so big?

While the P-47 looks bulky , this is largely due to the use of a big radial engine plus all of the ductwork, intercooler and turbocharger hardware packaged inside the fuselage.

What is a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt?

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a World War II era fighter aircraft produced by the United States from 1941 through 1945.

Can American P-47 Thunderbolts take evasive action?

In January 1943, when the USAAF’s 56th Fighter Group arrived in the United Kingdom with its massive Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, RAF Spitfire fighter pilots banteringly suggested that their American colleagues would be able to take evasive action, when attacked by undoing their harnesses and dodging about the fuselages of their huge mounts.

What kind of weapons did the P47 Thunderbolt carry?

Family of fighter aircraft. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a World War II era fighter aircraft produced by the United States from 1941 through 1945. Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack role it could carry five-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 pounds (1,103 kg).

What is a P-47?

The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and also served with other Allied air forces, including those of France, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the USAAF also flew the P-47.