While the North American P-51 Mustang tends to be the most recognizable of all U.S. fighter aircraft during World War II, in terms of actual presence and grinding out the Allied air campaign, this role would fall to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Nicknamed affectionately the “Jug” for its sturdy appearance-the shortened form of “Juggernaut”, this aircraft would undertake a crucial role in many theaters of war in bringing success to the Allies.
It was originally conceived by Georgian-born aircraft designer Alexander Kartveli as a lightweight interceptor. But this was a growing war in Europe, and an airplane would be needed that packed a bit more punch. Thus, the heavyweight warbird P-47 evolved, first taking to the skies on May 6, 1941.
Despite being much heavier, the P-47 was not a slouch when in the air either. Fitted with an 18-cylinder, 2,600-horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, a Thunderbolt could practically match the top speed of the Mustang at approximately 440 mph maximum, with altitudes well over 40,000 feet, though its range was only just over 800 miles (1,300 km), roughly half that of the P-51.
It was quite a versatile aircraft-the P-47 performed everything from bomber escort to close air support. For ground attack missions, it could carry up to 3,000 pounds of external ordnance and was especially effective in them. Its eight .50 caliber machine guns could unleash a withering torrent of fire, making it a formidable opponent both in the air and on the ground.
The ruggedness of the design made it popular with pilots, too. It could take a great deal of damage and still get home, as is attested by the harrowing experience of U.S. pilot Robert Johnson. After taking heavy damage from multiple German fighter attacks, Johnson nursed his battered P-47 back to England-a great testament to the durability of the aircraft.
By production numbers, the P-47 was the most-produced U.S. fighter aircraft of the war, with over 15,600 units built from 1941 through 1945. The U.S. Army Air Force spent more than $36 billion on aircraft during the war on the P-47s. Each P-47 cost roughly $85,578 in 1944 dollars, making it one of the most expensive single-engine fighters of the conflict.
The combat record of the P-47 speaks for itself: over 546,000 combat sorties flown; over 132,000 tons of bombs dropped; 135 million rounds of .50-calibre ammunition fired with the destruction of 11,878 enemy planes-half on the ground-and 160,000 military vehicles, plus 9,000 enemy locomotives.
While it seemed bulkier compared to the sleek plane that is the P-51 Mustang, the P-47 played an important role in the Allied victory. It was good on ground attack missions, especially in the D-Day invasion of Normandy and then in the push into German-occupied Europe. The contributions of the P-47 were such that it remained operational in the air forces of literally the whole world for many decades since the end of World War II.
Bright in the annals of military aviation stands the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt jewel of American engineering and of the indomitable spirit of its pilots, who took it into battle. Without the glamorous reputation enjoyed by the Mustang, the “Jug” was undoubtedly the workhorse that helped secure Allied air superiority and ultimately victory in World War II.