Thunderbolt: A Documentary History of the Republic P-47
Roger Freeman - Thunderbolt: A Documentary History of the Republic P-47
Charles Scribner's Sons | 1979 | ISBN: 0684163314 | English | 168 pages | PDF | 203.97 MB
Charles Scribner's Sons | 1979 | ISBN: 0684163314 | English | 168 pages | PDF | 203.97 MB
Modelers! Lots of detail images here; operational things like refilling oxygen, location of gun camera, even a captured P-47 in German markings. Also pictured are planes with Brazilian, British, French and Formosan markings. Many photos detail ground attack munitions, others show bent, burned and blasted ships. Most are B&W, a few in color.
Chapter organization: Kartveli's immigration to U.S. and his earlier designs. Then troubleshooting the initial models of the 'Bolt (including cost in lives). Finally, encountering the German Air Force. Judging by those tales, the P-47C was infested with gremlins. It was troubled by moisture entering the ignition, radio interference, engine failures from detonation. With technical assistance, the squadrons persisted, and victories mounted. Finally, with water injection and a new 'paddle-bladed' prop, it turned the tables. Another chapter covers ops in the Pacific with 5th AF. Pilots are quoted comparing the Thunderbolt to other planes they flew.
For historians: a section listing units flying P-47s and Serial Numbers of those sent to Allied countries.