Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to eight tons. The P-47, based on the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, was very effective in high-altitude air-to-air combat and proved especially adept at ground attack.
The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and served with other Allied air forces such as France, the UK and the USSR. The sturdy and rugged aircraft was designed by expatriate Russians Alexander de Seversky and Alexander Kartveli. The armored cockpit was roomy inside, comfortable for the pilot, and offered good visibility.
Source: Wikipedia, "Republic P-47 Thunderbolt", available under the CC-BY-SA License.
As Described In
Aces of the Pacific: Heavy and ungainly, the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt served as an excellent ground attack aircraft. Its firepower and speed also made it a formidable fighter.
Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe: The P-47C, as well as the early D-models, were known as "razorbacks," because of the distinctive raised shape of the rear canopy, which, unfortunately, obscured the pilot's vision to the rear. The C also featured a longer fuselage than the previous models, plus racks for bombs or fuel tanks. This model was the first to see service in Europe, and arrived in England at the beginning of 1943, as the Eighth Air Force was being established.
