Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Mantelli - Brown - Kittel - Graf

• Publisher: R.E.I. Editions
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN: 9782372972000
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, nicknamed "Jug" was an American fighter-bomber used during the Second World War. Because of its more than seven tons of weight and of considerable size, is considered the single-engine car largest and heaviest ever built before and during the conflict.
It was equipped with an extremely powerful engine, 2, 000 HP or more, and it was fast, especially at high altitudes. It was also heavily armed with eight 12.7 mm machine guns and its robustness allow him to return to base even if very damaged.
Since the early months of 1943 was used intensively on all fronts, contributing significantly to consolidate the supremacy ally in the last two years of war.
It was built at a total of 15, 678 copies (at a cost of $ 83, 000 each of the time) with winning colors USAAF the remarkable total of 3, 752 victories in combat against the loss of 824 machines and, after the war, he served in the air forces of fifteen countries, including Italy.