Author Topic: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug  (Read 2171 times)

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charlesoakwood

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Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« on: April 22, 2012, 01:27:22 PM »

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The very last Thunderbolt to be built, a P-47N-25, rolled off the production line in October 1945. Thousands more had been on order, but production was halted with the end of the war in August. At the end of production, a Thunderbolt cost $83,000 in 1945 U.S. dollars [use that to figure our rate of inflation]. A total of 15,686 Thunderbolts of all types were built, making it second most produced American fighter of all time—after the 16,766 P-51 Mustangs. Due to continued postwar service with U.S. military (including the ANG) and foreign operators, a number of P-47s have survived to the present day, and a few are still flying.



The P-47N was the last Thunderbolt variant to be produced. It was designed as an escort fighter for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers flying raids on the Japanese home islands. Increased internal fuel capacity and drop tanks had done much to extend the Thunderbolt's range during its evolution, and the only other way to expand the fuel capacity was to put fuel tanks into the wings. Thus, a new wing was designed with two 50 U.S. gal (190 l) fuel tanks. The second YP-47N with this wing flew in September 1944. The redesign proved successful in extending range to about 2,000 mi (3,200 km), and the squared-off wingtips improved the roll rate. The P-47N entered mass production with the uprated R-2800-77(C) engine, with a total of 1,816 built.

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.[15] Lieutenant Colonel Francis S. Gabreski scored 31 victories,[16] including three ground kills, Captain Bob Johnson scored 27 (with one unconfirmed probable kill leading to some giving his tally as 28),[17] and 56th FG Commanding Officer Colonel Hubert Zemke scored 17.75 kills.[N 2] Despite being the sole remaining P-47 group in the 8th Air Force, the 56th FG remained its top-scoring group in aerial victories throughout the war.

[It's predecessor the  P-47M]:
The entire production total of 130 P-47Ms were delivered to the 56th Fighter Group, and were responsible for all seven of that group's jet shoot-downs.

« Last Edit: April 22, 2012, 01:31:08 PM by Charles Oakwood »

Offline Libertas

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2012, 03:10:01 PM »
That had top sting, flying a jet and getting flamed by a prop!

But merry up a good tool with a good pilot with good tactics and instincts, and shazzaam!

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Offline Glock32

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2012, 07:55:24 PM »
The P-47 was a phenomenal aircraft. It was so rugged and heavily armored there were accounts given by German pilots that they ran out of ammunition trying to shoot them down.  As the P-51 came into service as the premiere dogfighter, the P-47 shifted focus onto a task at which it was supremely suited: ground attack. It could outdive just about any other aircraft, and zoomed down on enemy armor and formations like a bird of prey.

A classic.
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charlesoakwood

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2012, 06:33:31 PM »

They are going to dig up some British classics buried for them by Americans in Burma.  [blockquote]British farmer’s quest to find lost Spitfires in Burma
...
Mr Cundall said: “The veterans had served in a construction battalion. They told Jim: 'We’ve done some pretty silly things in our time, but the silliest was burying Spitfires.’ And when Jim got back from the US, he told me.”
...
Before burial, the aeroplanes would have been waxed, wrapped in greased paper and their joints tarred, to protect them against decay. There seemed to be a chance that somewhere in Burma, there lay Spitfires that could be restored to flying condition.
...
With the help of David Cameron and his visit to Burma, a deal is currently being negotiated and hopes are high that it will conclude with President Thein Sein of Burma granting permission for the dig.
...
...the Mark XIV aeroplanes, which used Rolls-Royce Griffon engines instead of the Merlins of earlier models, ...
[/blockquote]


Offline Libertas

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2012, 07:17:24 AM »
Cool, perhaps the ravages of time and moisture have left a mark, but between them all perhaps they can get a few working models assembled and in the air.

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charlesoakwood

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2012, 01:20:25 PM »

If they had enough cosmoline cleaning those babies
will be the toughest job.


Offline Glock32

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2012, 02:17:29 PM »
Yep. If they are still in their shipping crates then they would have been marinized for the transit, which would provide them good protection. Cosmoline and foil-backed wax paper.  I have a Mosin-Nagant rifle that was packed in cosmoline in 1946, and then left to sit in some dank, neglected Russian warehouse for 60 years. It was perfectly preserved.
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Offline Libertas

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Re: Thunderbolt P-47N-25: Jug
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2012, 02:25:06 PM »
Probably did the same to those Korean M-1's & 1911's the SCoaMF Obama won't let us have!

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