| P-47D Thunderbolt | |
|---|---|
| |
| Note: Base stats only (no upgrade installed) | |
| Rank | III (3) |
| Battle Rating | 4.3 |
| Type | Fighter / Light Bomber |
| Maximum Speed on height | 700 km/h |
| Maximum Altitude | 12,200 m |
| Turn Time | 25.8 s |
| Rate of Climb | 16 m/s |
| Takeoff Run | 559 m |
| Armament | 8x 12.7 mm Browning machine gun (3400 rds) |
| Burst Mass | 4.31 kg/s |
The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt is an American single-engine fighter/light bomber which was in service with the U.S. Army Air Force. The P-47D currently sits at Rank 3 in the American line with an upfront cost of 120,000 
. It is also available in the German line as a Tier 3 Premium Aircraft for 1300 
.
Design & Development[]
The P-47 was one of the main USAAF fighters of WWII, especially effective as a fighter-bomber. The P-47 was also sent to the USSR via the lend-lease program. It was designed at Republic Aviation by two emigrants from the Russian Empire, Alexander Seversky and Alexander Kartveli.
A converted German P-47D.
The official designation of the P-47, like that of many other Republic aircraft, is related to the word Thunder. However, the P-47's unmatched dimensions and weight led to the P-47 being nicknamed the Jug. Another informal nickname, more common during WWII, is Bolt or T-Bolt. The most mass-produced variant of the P-47 was the P-47D with a bubble canopy. The variant was in development as early as 1941 and the first order for 850 P-47D's was placed in late 1941. Many more Thunderbolts would be built during the war, making it the most mass-produced US fighter of WWII by 1945.
Operational History[]
In-Game use & Tactics[]
- Because the P-47 carries a lofty 8 12.7 mm machine guns, it is most effective to fire a long burst of ammunition at the target rather than staggering your trigger pulls in order to take out enemy aircraft with a single strike. Further amplifying the boom and zoom tactic since the aircraft has an impressive top-speed. It is able to out run nearly all other fighters in or under its tier. This speed lends itself to various methods of hit-and-runs in order to minimize the chance of being pulled into a circle of death with other fighter- as it would most certainly lose.
- The P-47 is also rather heavily armored and can sustain a significant amount of damage from other aircraft while in the fray. This ability often allows the pilot of a P-47 to be able to pull several enemy planes off of a comrade's tail without having to worry too much about the integrity of their own craft.
- Despite the numerous advantages the P-47 has in short-lived combat, it is unwise to remain in any area for an extended period of time or while losing speed. Doing so can result in more maneuverable planes, even weaker ones such as the M.C.202, taking advantage of the P-47's lack of agility. Should a hostile plane remain on your tail, the best way to avoid being shot down is to lose altitude as quickly as possible to gain enough speed to out run the opponent.
| |||||||||||||||||