Description

The P-47 Thunderbolt rose to fame during World War II, with the aircraft and its pilots and crews accumulating an impressive record against ground targets, destroying a myriad of enemy trains, trucks, armored vehicles, artillery, and aircraft on the ground. The massive fighter's accomplishments were not limited to strafing and bombing runs - indeed, many P-47 jockeys earned their ace status flying the P-47 against the aircraft of the Luftwaffe and Japan, where the Thunderbolts, aided by external fuel tanks, provided long range escort for bomber formations. Chronicles the development and use of the famed 'Jug' from its genesis in the P-35 all the way to the long-legged P-47N. Production by Republic and Curtiss is discussed, along with the numerous experimental variations that did not see production. This story is told through the detailed captions associated with the 62 vintage color images and over 150 black-and-white photographs. These vintage photos are augmented by over a dozen line drawings and six color profiles. Illustrated with over 220 photographs plus color profiles and detailed line drawings; 88 pages. By David Doyle