KMP Models P-47D Thunderbolt ARF

• Factory painted in one of two authentic WWII paint schemes, with pre-applied decals, covered with clear coat.
• Functional flaps
• Factory installed pushrod guide tubes.
• All hardware included (screws, rods, fuel tanks etc...)

Epoxy resin fiberglass fuselage and cowl, built up wings, covered with fabric and finished with a flat paint scheme, decals pre-applied and clear coated!

Part No.	PHOTO	Description	CART	Price
KMP P47-SKU	PHOTO	Gas Airplane P-47 Thunderbolt ARF, Skull and Crossbones Full Composite Built-up Balsa Wing without Retracts, KMP Models In Stock!	ADD	$459.00

History:

The C version of the P-47 entered service with the 56th fighter group in September 1942.   The 56th was deployed to England in 1942, where they joined the 4th and 6th fighter groups supporting the bombers of the 8th Air Force.  The 4th and 6th were largely experienced pilots, many of whom were US volunteers with the RAF, who had rejoined the US forces after America entered the war.  The British  were impressed by the P-47's size, and joked that the pilots could avoid luftwaffe gunfire by running back and forth inside the fuselage.    In part because of its size and speed, it was quickly nicknamed the 'Juggernaut' or 'Jug' for short.    The P-47 D was introduced quickly after the P-47 first entered combat, making several small changes, such as more cooling flaps exitting the engine cowl to reduce heat build up, armour protection and larger fuel tanks (adding almost 70 Gallons of fuel), plus the addition of drop tanks.

With the addition of drop tanks, the P-47 could escort bombers deep into Germany, and this often led to a long flight home with a bored pilot and guns flush with ammo.  As a result many flights engaged targets of opportunity, typically German convoys or other ground targets.  It was quickly realized that the durability of the massive radial engine allowed it to survive ground fire that would have brought down other aircraft, like the Mustang or Spitfire.  The 8 .50 calibre machine guns made short work of lightly armoured targets.   For the rest of the war it was primarily used in this role, destroying 90 000 train cars and engines, 6000 tanks and armoured vehicles, and 68000 trucks.  An impressive tally.  No wonder when the USAF was looking for a name for the A-10 the called it the 'Thunderbolt II'!