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AH P47-D Thunderbolt

Aeroplane Heaven

WARBIRDTHUNDERBOLTP47THUNDERBOLTREPUBLIC

3.9/5 (47)

The P-47D (or the Jug as it was affectionately known) was one of the heaviest fighters of World War 2 with a fully laden P-47 topping the scales at a portly 8 tonnes. This weight required a very powerful engine. The same engine that powered the F6F Hellcat and the Vought Corsair, the Pratt and Whitney R2800. Coupled with an impressive load out capability and very capable 50 Calibre machine guns the Thunderbolt resulted in a very capable medium range escort fighter and excellent ground attack fighter. But there was an issue. Visibility. The Razorback whilst strong (some returned safely with very large amounts of the plane damaged.) had an issue with rear visibility. The fix was found by a visit to the RAF. The RAF also had this issue on some of their aircraft and had in fact lent their design for canopies to another famous USAAF aircraft the P51 (also available). In this case the answer lay in the Hawker Typhoon with an all encompassing all round vision "bubble top". And the razorback was retired from production in favour of the Bubbletop. The P-47 was operated by several Allied Air Forces during World War II. The RAF for example received 240 razorback P-47Ds, which they designated Thunderbolt Mark I. Since there wasnt a need for a high-altitude fighter in the RAF (the superb supermarine spitfire filling that role admirably) the RAF used their Thunderbolts as ground attack. Rather like the Fairchild Republic A-10 thunderbolt in use today. And yes the A-10 takes its name from its WW2 grandfather - The P47-D "Thunderbolt".

  • All new hi-fidelity models with superb detail including gear wells and the brutal Pratt and Whitney engine
  • Beautifully crafted exterior and interior models built over contemporary detailed plans and drawings
  • Authentic cockpit detail includes many bespoke animations and effects.
  • Full PBR materials and textures include realistic 'pillowing' of metal surfaces.
  • Animated authentic U.S. military pilot figure + your choice to remove for asobo stock pilot
  • Choice of gunsights/GPS Clean stores or pylons
  • Highly accurate flight dynamics and performance based on real flight tests.
  • Specially authored WWise Hi-Fidelity sound package.
  • Version 1.1.1 added RAF livery
  • Version 1.1.1 added Malcom hood variant and 2 new liveries

LIVERIES

  • 2 factory liveries
  • 'Button Nose' 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group
  • 42-25829, from 2/5 Lafayette, Alto (Corsica), 1944
  • 'Zombie' of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group
  • 'Kansas Tornado II' 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force
  • 'The Turnip Termites' 47th Fighter Squadron , 15th Fighter Group, 7th Air Force
  • 'DARING DOTTIE III' 342nd Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter group
  • 'Tony' 5F-A, 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron
  • Tuskagee red tail 302nd fighter Squadron from the 332th Fighter Group
  • 'Bonnie' 348th Fighter Group
  • 'Bugs' 405th fighter group 9th Air Force
  • 'Lady ruth' 19th Fighter Squadron 318th Fighter group
  • USSR Lendlease programme livery
  • HD154/18 No.73 Operational training unit
  • 511th FS 405th FG Malcom Hood
  • 61st FS 56th FG Malcom Hood

The P-47D Thunderbolt is a single-engine, single-seat, multi-role military combat aircraft developed and manufactured by American aircraft producer Republic Aviation. The D model is one of several iterations of the P-47, the prototype of which took its maiden flight on May 6, 1941.

The Thunderbolt was renowned as one of the Allies most effective fighter aircraft in World War II, serving in both the European and Pacific theaters. It performed several combat roles, including air superiority, armed reconnaissance, bomber escort, close air support, and light bombing. Its most notable mission was ground attack, due to its armament, maneuverability, handling during attack runs, and survivability. Called the “Jug” due to its burly fuselage, it was armed with eight .50 caliber machine guns and could be fitted with bombs and rockets. Thousands of the model were manufactured, and it served the militaries of a variety of countries for two decades after its World War II tenure. Several remain on display and many are still airworthy. The Fairchild-Republic A-10 attack jet was named the Thunderbolt II, after the P-47 Thunderbolt.

The P-47D measures 36 feet, 2 inches in length, stands 14 feet, 8 inches tall, and has a low-mounted, semi-elliptical main wing with a span of 40 feet, 9 inches. It features a retractable traditional undercarriage and a standard tail unit. It is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 radial piston engine that produces up to 2,000 horsepower. The 18-cylinder powerplant turns a 4-blade Curtiss Electric constant-speed propeller.

The P-47D has a range of just over 1,000 miles, a service ceiling of 42,000 feet, and a top speed of 426 miles per hour.

Specifications

ENGINEPratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,000 hp
MAX ALTITUDE42,000 ft
RANGE1,030 miles
EMPTY WEIGHT13,500 lbs
MAX WEIGHT17,500 lbs
LENGTH36 ft 1 3/4 in
WINGSPAN40 ft 9 5/16 in
SMILES PER HOUR47 :)