P-47G Thunderbolt | |
|---|---|
| Pays | USA |
| Type | Chasseur |
| First flight | 6 May 1941 |
galerie photo sur un P-47G Thunderbolt, Le chasseur Republic P-47 Thunderbolt a été l’un des avions américains qui ont le plus pesé durant la période de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Pas seulement parce qu’il a été un des chasseurs les plus construit jusqu’à nos jours (14 500 unités) mais parce qu’il était très efficace dans les missions d’appui-feu, au point que cela finit par devenir son rôle principal comme ses performances assez faibles pour un chasseur ne lui permettaient pas de concurrencer son homologue le P-51 Mustang. Sa finition pour le moins crue et son gabarit lui rapportèrent ce surnom de Fléau (Jug étant l’abréviation de Juggernaut).
Source: P-47D Thunderbolt sur Wikipedia
| P-47G Thunderbolt | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 56 |
| P-47G Thunderbolt Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Cees Hendriks |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 49 |
| Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Bill Maloney |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 18 |
See also:
The Rare Version of a Legend
The Republic P-47G Thunderbolt is a unique footnote in aviation history. While the « Jug » is famous for being the heaviest, most rugged single-engine fighter of WWII, the G-variant specifically refers to Thunderbolts built by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in Buffalo, New York, rather than Republic Aviation. Because Curtiss struggled to keep up with the rapid engineering changes happening at Republic’s main plants, the P-47G models were often « frozen » in time—equivalent to early razorback P-47D models. Consequently, they were rarely sent overseas for combat and instead became the primary high-performance trainers for thousands of American pilots before they headed to Europe.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (P-47G-CU) |
|---|---|
| Role | Fighter / Fighter-Bomber / Advanced Trainer |
| Crew | 1 (Standard) / 2 (TP-47G « Doublebolt » trainers) |
| Engine | 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-21 Double Wasp (2,000 hp) |
| Maximum Speed | 697 km/h (433 mph) at 9,144 m |
| Empty Weight | 4,513 kg (9,950 lb) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 6,033 kg (13,300 lb) |
| Armament | 8 × .50 cal Browning M2 machine guns (425 rpg) |
| Production Total | 354 units (all built by Curtiss) |
Design Engineering: Built Like a Flying Tank
- The « Razorback » Canopy: All P-47Gs featured the original « razorback » fuselage profile. Unlike later « bubble canopy » D-models, the G-variant had a high spine behind the pilot, offering excellent structural strength but limited rearward visibility.
- The Turbo-Supercharger: The P-47 was designed around its massive turbocharger, which sat in the rear fuselage. Air was piped from the front, compressed by the exhaust-driven turbine in the back, and fed back to the engine.
- Propeller Evolution: Early P-47Gs were equipped with the Curtiss Electric 12-foot propeller. Many were later upgraded with « paddle-bladed » props to harness more of the engine’s power during climbs.
- Telescoping Landing Gear: Because of its massive 13-foot propeller (on later variants) and wide stance, the P-47’s landing gear struts actually shrunk 9 inches when retracted to fit inside the wings.
Operational History: The Stateside Teacher
- The Training Workhorse: Because Curtiss production lagged behind Republic’s improvements, the USAAF decided the P-47G was better suited for Operational Training Units (OTUs). This ensured frontline pilots had a consistent, reliable airframe to master before flying combat-ready D-models.
- The « Doublebolt »: A small number of G-models were converted into TP-47Gs—the only factory-built two-seat Thunderbolts. By adding a second seat in tandem, instructors could finally sit with students to tame the massive torque of the R-2800 engine.
- Ruggedness Personified: Like all Thunderbolts, the G-model was famous for its ability to absorb incredible damage. The air-cooled radial engine could take several hits and keep spinning, unlike liquid-cooled engines where a single leak would lead to a seizure.
- The « Jug » Nickname: While often thought to be short for « Juggernaut, » many pilots claimed it was because the fuselage resembled a milk jug when stood on its nose—or because it was simply as big as a jug of gin.
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