Four P-47 Thunderbolts: ROLLING AMERICAN THUNDER !!

[Crazylegs973]

5 people couldn't see the like button because they were blinded by the SHEER AWESOME of the Thunderbolt.

[Sacto1654]

Great as the P-47 was, the plane was not a success initially as a fighter. It wasn't until more fuel capacity was added, switching to the "bubble" canopy for better visibility, and _especially_ the switch to the better "paddle" propellers that the P-47 finally became a formidable fighter. Indeed, with the new "paddle" propellers, the P-47 could out-climb the Bf 109 with ease.

[JensCM54]

That's my girl, All American

[lefdepord]

78th Fg, best paint choice ever. Makes them birds look beautiful, however I also like the 56th White.

[canon21100]

Best ground attack plane of the war. They were a panzers worst nightmare.

[TheophilusPWildbeest]

I knew a guy who flew these in WWII on ground attack in Burma. Jack Atkinson.

I'm just proud to say I knew him.

[TacticalPickle]

The P-47 is a flying TANK!

[IAMCORNDOG123456]

5 people are former German Luftwaffe that got shot down by P-47s

[budgienation]

Ah, the heart is once again stirred by the sound of multiple 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney radials. Silly rabbit, jets are for kids. Nay for the stink of Kerosene, gimme 100 octane aviation fuel any day... Hey you, butt out that cig! Ya wanna blow us all to kingdom come? Here's hoping all their days are Cavu...

[TheAmericanRifleman]

These were huge airplanes.

[Halomaster261]

thumbs up if you think the P 47 was better than the P 51!

[budgienation]

@Halomaster261 You bet! More confirmed kills, A fighter bomber like none other and with the addition of external tanks they could escort bomber with the best of them. Truly an underrated but not unappreciated aircraft. Ask any of the boys who could count on the P-47 for great ground support.

[budgienation]

@Halomaster261 You bet! More confirmed kills,  A fighter bomber like none other and with the addition of external tanks they could escort bombers as good or better than the P-51.. Truly an underrated but not unappreciated aircraft. Ask any of the boys who could count on the P-47 for great ground support.

[tnhl77]

@Halomaster261 If I flew during the war I would have wanted to be a P-47 pilot.

[HuasoPodrido]

These beauties get better gas milage than my Durango.

[AbsoluteyAmerican]

Wow I love the P47D Thunderbolt. It has always been my dream to fly one. Their so graceful, so loud, fast, and mean! Everytime I see them they put me in a state of awe!

[pegrathwol]

MANLY!!!

[1vdn992]

With 8 .50 cals it would shred anything on the business end of this baby.

[kickniko]

Well, it is the Mustang I love most, but this huge, rugged, reliable, almost indestructible piece of flying machine really amazes me! What a plane! Yes sir, perhaps not the outmost of flying elegance, but it could take unbelievably heavy panishment like nothing, and still return its pilot home to safety. Wish there were more of its kind, even nowadays.

[aislandiego]

Thats what I call AMAZING!!!!!!

I love this plane THE MOST!



[MrOUTMAN99]

EAA article in the 80's reviewed US WWII fighters. Said they all were similar performance wise. Pilot said the 47 actually had a higher roll rate than a 51 & didn't have near the adverse aileron yaw, so tracking a target would be easier, and no nasty high speed stall characteristics. P-47 though - was a beast to fly - cramped cockpit, no leg room difficult engine controls, poor visibility. Concluded that it was good most allied pilots were experienced in 47's before getting into the 51.

[burjegol]

@MrOUTMAN99 No allied plane can outroll the jug. In his experience, R.S. Johnson found a spitfire flying while on a familiarization flight over England. They did a mock dogfight, with the spit gaining the upper hand until he started rolling maneuvers. The jug was finishing its second roll before the spit could accomplish its first. He outflew the spit by rolling and skidding maneuver. In his words " the spit pilot look up at me with mouth agape with the jug coming at him with eight guns looming"

[Toddinfantry]

@MrOUTMAN99 Better go check the 47 again. Known for it's HUGE cockpit, the joke was you could get up and run around in it to avoid fire.

[Chuckjagermeister]

It would be nice if someone restored and painted a P-47D in the colors of Mexican Air Force 201st expeditionary squadron. Not alot of people know the history of the 201st in the Pacific (Philippines-based) in 1944. Look up Aztec Eagles.

[mrjamiehorn]

Horsepower, horsepower, horsepower.

[ThePolyweave]

Whats with the compression and rebound on the landing gear can anyone explain this function on the p-47 and why was it needed.Yes this is a test!

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave doesnt drag make a plane unstable and thus more agile

[redbaroniii]

During the war the money spent to buy three Jugs, could buy five P-51s. Money well spent.

[ThePolyweave]

@redbaroniii You must be an accountant?

[mystinger72]

Hun hunter and Wicked Wabbit are two of the coolest planes I have ever seen.

[roosterinboro]

I read a P-47 pilot's advice to a young fighter pilot back in WWII. He said, "Son, if you want to take a picture to send to your girl back home, go sit on a Mustang. If you want to MAKE IT BACK to that girl, fly a Jug..."

[keefer2111]

Pure thunder



[alpha18412]

The JUG!

[HansHansiHansen]

Uhh, i counted 5 ;-)

[octane130]

@HansHansiHansen: On pupose, I didn't count the tail of the fifth Thunderbolt (a P-47G) that peeked in at the left of the video @ 0:52. You are very observant!

[HansHansiHansen]

@octane130 ok, then i didnt say anything ;-)

[gkdesocal]

JUGS!!!!

[sorrowman2]

I can't even begin to think about what it must be like to be able to fly one of these beauties these days. Nothing like a roaring P&W R2800 radial engine. A one-of-kind beatiful ugly beast.

[TheNightrunner666]

@sorrowman2 oh man those things were flying tanks. have you seen the history channel story about the p-47 that took over 1500 rounds from german ME-109's it was leaking fuel had lost i think 4 cyclinders,the prop had been hit so many times it became unbalanced and the plane alsmost shook itslef apart. they had a picture of it. the guy counted 200 bullet holes on the side of the cockpit without moving his head. flying tanks 2nd fav i'd say my first is the lightning, then the p47, then the p51

[sorrowman2]

@TheNightrunner666 I can't say that I have watched that actual History Channel bit, but I've read countless stories about the P-47 being able to take a rather unbelievable amount of punishment before she went down. I guess I've always had a thing for the more brutal looking machines (say ur P-47, F6F, F4U, etc.) over the slick and smooth looking P-51 and P-38, which always somehow seemed more delicate and 'breakable' planes so to say, tho they excelled too to what they did.

[TheNightrunner666]

@sorrowman2 oh. i agree. it seems like the p-51 was never really a plane to take a beating. but i marvel at the speed of these planes. even soem reports of P-47 lightning pilots breaking the sound barrier while in steep dives. plane historians say the plane cant take that kind of force. but i've seen sceintists say that under teh right kinda of weather and thin air the planes could do so very easily.

[PzAufklaerer12Btl]

@TheNightrunner666 easily??? scientist said?????? c´mon. when is santa comin ? ......

[TheNightrunner666]

@PzAufklaerer12Btl yea as in a aeronautical engineer saying that if the plane where at 15'000 feet and entered a steep dive in perfect condtitons with WEP on for more then 5-8 seconds the plane could break the sound barrier....would you like to know more? not to mention i've worked with planes since i was 18... well 19 is when i got to work with and fly my first

[TheNightrunner666]

@sorrowman2 the p-38 is my favorite because of its speed, firepower, and design. howard hughes who is hero i guess you'd call him. built one with counter rotating props. so both engines had two sets. it was a spy plane never built for combat. but had a huge speed gap between it and the real p-38. just the fact that the planes are brothers in a way. and the p47.just a brutal plane.firepower, strength. it was a flying tank.

[burjegol]

@TheNightrunner666 Sir, that was the plane of the 2nd highest scoring ace in ETO. R.S. Johnson. The plane received 21 20 mm rounds, more than 500 7.62 cal rounds, yet the jug brought him home. He mentioned "unless we fly teh jug stgraight down, you cannot hurt it"

[PzAufklaerer12Btl]

@burjegol 21mm rounds and 500 7.62 ...... hope ya know what ya talking about. thats more or less impossible buddy. that would have been enough to shot down ANY plane including a b17 b24 b29 or whatever. ya talking about a single seated fighter plane. but ok, give me a reliable source and I belive ya. annnnnn btw the kaliber of german machine guns was 7,92 not 7,62.........

[TheNightrunner666]

@PzAufklaerer12Btl i know the story he is talking about the jug was a flying tank and i believe it could take that much shit kicking it was an armored plane after all and bombers are EASY to shot down...hit their engines. you put 500 rounds UP AND DOWN their bodies and they will still fly unless the crew are dead....even with that auto pilot keeps her going.. gotta blow off teh wings or the engines or bombers just keep flying

[PzAufklaerer12Btl]

@TheNightrunner666 obviously still not over 500 armoured or not. and downing a bomber easy. well, not that easy. whatever. and I was readin a bit about the super sonic speed of a jug. that was more likely due to mailfunctions of the intruments then real supersonic.

[TheNightrunner666]

@PzAufklaerer12Btl  no no no i never said the P-47 jug reached the sound barrier is said the Lightning did lol you were confused and i was wondering why you argued that...no the lightning it was said could reach teh sound barrier in a steep dive lol

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Look up the term compression in reguards to aerodynamics

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave yea and your point?

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 I guess i should pay attention to the LOLs. for some reason i thought someone thought a piston powered aircraft could reach the speed of sound.Sorry no offense.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave a piston powered plane can...the lightning...they travel at 500mph and the speed of sound is only 761mph..in a dive from 15'000 feet and engaging WEP a lightning can in theoary break the sound barrier..and i believe would be the first ever piston powered plane to do so...but no ones ever tried it...they are not sure if the plane can take that much force...according to tech's it can...acording to pilots it cant...so

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 You just stated it can in theoary,but in REALITY it has'nt. There were some high speed dives and crashes in the P-38 that were caused by compressability on the elevator causing it to become ineffective,thats one of the problems Chuck Yeager encounterd with the Bell X-1 until they made a fully flying tail to overcome compressability. It took the Russkies a few years to figure that one out. I also know, as well as the leading experts that a P-38s airframe connot hit mach 1.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave a plan that has a cruising speed of 500 mph can not pull another 261mph outta its ass by diving and engaging WEP which boosts its HP from 1500 per engine to 3000 per engine? i hate to tell you that yes it is possible for the plane to do so...with the addition of an air brake to regain control...

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 No offense,but your higher than ten hippies at wood stock,but if you insist its possible thats fine by me.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave how how is it not possible. yes the airframe cant take it but the plane COULD fucking do it. your argueing saying its 100% not possible well yea for the ones out there it is. but one could be built with stronger material and it could be done.

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 I will tell you how its not possible.Your argument is if the plane has added structural integrity and/or some modifications it would be capable of mach 1. Im saying due to the aerodynamic shape of the airplane not to mention two very large propeller archs, not to mention feeding to supercharged engines sub sonic and then supersonic air without failing poses some engineering problems that a P-38 cannot overcome.Look up compression in reguards to aerodynamics.

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666  look up XF84H Very interesting stuff reguarding our discussion

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave the 84 was a failure so..it was designed to go mach 1+ never worked..again your point?

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Ya i know it was a failure.I thought you might gain some insight in reguards to props and supersonic flight. Prop tip speeds would need to break the speed of sound in order for the airframe to do the same but everyone know props become almost wortless when this happens.this is one of many problems encounterd when try to make a brick go mach 1. Im curious,what mods do you think might be required in aerodynamics or structure to get a P-38 to go mach1 ?

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave well stronger airframe. larger scoop props, the 84 had 6000+hp. that would help...and a higher cruising speed. so bigger engine bigger props, better body not design just material something that can take the stress..and im sure it could do it. IN a dive only...say 30'000 feet..dive engines to full 500 mph cant get an extra 200 i cant see that not working...but you are right props are useless..

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 The airplane you describe would no longer look like a P-38 But if successful would be designated a XP666 and after nightfighter trials the pilots might call it the" NIGHTRUNNER". Im sorry i could'nt' help myself LOL!!!! If you gave the p-38, 6000 horse power and put it into a flight profile that you describe it still wont happen. Have you looked into compression?With all due respect im sure you know your aviation,just not in the area we are discussing.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave you mean the air on the leading edge of the wing that gets unstable at high speeds and renders the wings useless at high speeds? it just means the plane wont fly it doesnt mean the plane cant drop at mach 1. i dont mean fly i mean nose straight down full throttle..sure wings tear off and the props are just spinning jewerly but yea it could happen

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Air does'nt get unstable at the leading edge unless your stalling the aircraft( SLOW FLIGHT) also known as minimum controlable airspeed. During the transition from sub to supersonic you get compression which means NO AIRFLOW OVER THE AIRFOIL.I dont know how to explain this unless you understand basic aerodynamics.Punch up supersonic flight and read ! The bell x-1 barley pulled it off, the p-38 or the new xp666 cant. Whats your background in aviation? worker or buff?

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave ok i thought you thats what it was..its been a while. i never built then i help with design problems. like where to store computers. as for planes i've flown a few a couple WW2 remakes. and a couple jet aircraft.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave i worked on tree jets i was usually on subs or ships...like diving hatches for navy seals or hinges for midget subs..the planes were not for body changes but for extra fuel storage etc. most of my carreer was research and development. for weapons. systems and vehicles. my favorite was 4 gau-18's strapped to a turret...which was from a tank. it was for anti air..but it was cancelled but our facility got to keep it and 100'000 rounds...god it was fun

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 AHHH???? OK, hey keep up your interest in aviation its been nice and if someone says they will pay you A MILLION DOLLERS to take a p-38 to mach 1,REMEMBER WHAT I SAID, it will save your life LOL!! and if you pull it off.........AHHH ! nevermind. YOU WONT.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave no explain this how does compression stop the plane its only lose of airflow..that would cause loss in speed?

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 The xp666 just before reaching supersonic speed,would encounter compression,and would increases its drag by 5 times. therefore it takes a rocket powerd plane shaped like a bullit to overcome these aerodynamic forces.The bell x-1 barely succeded using brute force.Your brick in a vertical dive with 6000 hp cannot do what the x-1 did, again its called compression.No offense but your composition is a little off.I drink black velvet and coke myself ,when im not flying lol.

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Its called DRAG!!!!! and the subsonic is 5 times greater than normal.The area rule ( cokebottle) on the F-106 proved very valuable for supersonic transition.In my off time i repair washer and dryers,cant you tell.LOL!

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave so compression across the body of the plane in a dive cause high drag which slows the plane down. so the closer it gets to mach one the harder it is to reach tha speed...i see

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Yea,you got it now, punch up Joe Kittenger and his high altitude jumps from a ballon and how the human body reached the speed of sound and through friction/compression slowed down or better yet do the space shuttle,it all applies. Triple 6 will soon be enlightened.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave you said coke bottle ever seen arrow....the movie about the avro arrow...the plane that would rival an F18...it was built in the 50's

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Yes,it was a british a model with stacked engines and was very fast for the time i believe it was called the lightning or electric lighting,the engine configuration being unique.Is this a test?

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave British model to my understanding it was designed and built in canada yes the engines the iroquis. have yet to be copied they are bearingless engines the center piece in a engine the cone and pin that go through the entire engine well they had that removed alowing more air into the engines. so a engine that can only put out 55'000 pounds of thrust at 100% the iroquis put out 75'000 pounds of thrust at 80%..no test just saying they desinged the plane from a coke bottle with a bib

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Being british from the 70s i'll take your word for it on the unique desighn but yes i remember the aircraft.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave i was just pointing out that it was an extreme aircraft and my favorite. the invention of parts that didnt exist. they knew what they needed to do and worked back from there. just a very sad sorry canceled it for american missile batteries..that sucked..and were never delivered...fucking retarded candian prime minister god that pissed me off..it would have put us so far ahead in aviation

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 More important,what do you know about engine inlet geometry reguarding the century series fighter and yes that relates to supersonic flight, you know, feeding a jet engine the air it needs when the air does'nt want to go there.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave well two things i got to say to that first aren't planes designed so the body pushes air towards the engine, second aint teh turbo fan/ compressors suck the air in..ok third the inlet is large enough to suck in a litte air and the compressor does its job...? kinda like the mig 25...or was it the 15..the huge engine inlets right behind/beside the cockpit

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Unless of coarse you have shock waves developing in front of the inlet.You mean to tell me you cant see the diff between a direct inlet like a F-86 or MIG 15 as oppossed to a f-14 or f-15.Dont tell me you dont understand how variable inlets work,Those huge inlets you speak of move in order to control subsonic,or super sonic air to keep the engine fed with air.You do realize they are movable foils????

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave yes i know that both inlet and outlets can move to concentrate air flow.

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 Shit,i just got it... Your Canadian, that explains it .So im dyin to know are you a liberal communist union guy or a rightwing racist LOL .i WILL NEED TO KNOW THIS SO WHEN YOU LEAVE CANADA I CAN DIRECT YOU TO THE STATE THAT BEST FITS YOUR NEEDS.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave im not canadian i was born in germany moved here when i was little

[ThePolyweave]

@TheNightrunner666 I was born in Germany, 1964. A U.S. army hospital in berlin. that sucks you got stuck in canada,no offense beautiful country and people, just fucked up socialist politics,You know!!! Alot likethe direction our current commie shit bags are trying to take us. No lie about the berlin stuff, army brat. my pops flew in vietnam,aircav UH-1 AND LATER CH-53 nuff said take care my poor canadian friend.

[TheNightrunner666]

@ThePolyweave i live in the NWT...no politics up here man..just me in my house not cabin. my home is 300'000 square feet. she's worth about 1.8 mil. fully computerised im not braggin. im just sayin. ok im kinda bragin about the computerised systems.

[burjegol]

@PzAufklaerer12Btl

sir, read Robert S. Johnson's story in his book "Thunderbolt". He was the receiving end of Eggon Meyers guns, german ace, after he was shot out from the 56th flight formation. Upon landing, his plane received "21 20 mm shells, one of which jammed his canopy hence he cannot bail out" and more than 200 rounds of 7.92 shells. He was still standing on one place when his count reached more than a hundred. Now, do you think this is still impossible? that darn jug brought him home

[PzAufklaerer12Btl]

@burjegol 200 sounds a bit "better" then 500 doesn´t it .....

[burjegol]

@PzAufklaerer12Btl sir, my mistake. Johnson said, "he was standing on the same place when his count reached 200. It's no use of counting them all. the jug was literally a sieve". Now, come to think of it. The FW 190 has 2 X 7.92 rounds. On Meyers'; second pass, he kicked rudder thus hitting the jug wingtip to wingtip. Meyer made 3 passes to Johnson till he ran out of ammo. How many rounds would you think the jug absorb, not counting the initial hits he obtained blasting him out of formation?

[Toddinfantry]

@PzAufklaerer12Btl He is quite correct. Lt Johnson's plane was scrapped after this flight. Even the crew chief said there weren't alot of usable parts after this. I have seen one picture of it in a book (can't remember name) about Johnson. Kind of fuzzy but you can clearly see through the fuselage in spots. It was no longer a beautiful aircraft.

[taofledermaus]

Really cool, what a rare sight today.

[mradipatti]

and designed by a shanghaied russian.

they had to design a new propeller for the 2,000hp

[MadDawgAce03]

absolutely beautiful pieces of history!!

[Duchovicius]

Love this plane@_@

[andresostep]

Such a beautiful plane, my favorite.....

[vincedog3]

I love the P47 what a machine.

[aquatodabone]

do any of you know if trhere are more the 10 of these birds that are still flyable?

[braceyoself777]

Let the big dogs roll through. These guys are heavy hitters of their day. Sweet!

[MoCatt]

My 5th grade teacher flew one of these in the war.

[Galbraith4570]

The only thing better than a P-47 is MORE P-47s!

[ThePhantomMajor]

... is a Spitfire

[RFTAEC100]

really? I thought they were flying fortresses XD Thunderbolts looks o awsome

[dcfenrich54]

I am very interested in seeing this airshow. Is it every year, or every two years, or?

Any and all furnished information I would really appreciate; information such as cost, location, time of year, etc.

[groovy67]

You'r right gmoore,there are only about 5-6 still flyable but I believe more are being restored.

[gmoore9449]

I've heard that Thunderbolts are quite rare --- only 5 or 6 that are flyable at any given time in this country. Maybe a few more in the countries we've sold them to.

[limestoneroad]

Does anyone know how many p47's are still in flyable condition?

[MParseface38]

enough. wikipedia says "a large number", from the list i found i'd say over a hundred, so there's good chances seeing one of those beauties fly one day.

[GTElwood]

The phone is ringing, and the speaker is screaming about an huge formation of B17 and B24 with escort, moving north on the Adriatic Sea, probably enroute to Germany.

Pick your flying stuff, check the plane than take off then climb as hell.

"Ok, here they are.... but... S**T, there are P47s ."

At high altitudes, an MC202 can manage a combat with a P51 or a P38, but with a P47, is another story., but at least , engage them early into the flight, means force them to drop ext. tanks.

Different pov.

[aeroguy86]

oh my

[saberdryver]

NICE JUGS!!!!! ; )

[r1cw]

Ready to kick some Luftwaffe ass!!!

[1200strong]

Octane130 you are responsible for my sexual transgressions because these planes are HOT!

[synman95]

if u notice the p47 in the middle is swerving bc he cant see over the nose of plane i would never fly one cuz its hard to taxi in

[BKhanford]

P-51 had 6 .50 cal

jsyk

[BKhanford]

THE JUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[js451]

Five.

Not four.

[WyldeBLSdrummer5]

These things were tanks...there are reports of pilots crashing with a 250lbs bomb under them...eventho the bomb exploded the pilot still lived. That and no aircraft in WW2 could out dive these guys

[MetalReaper07]

Actually there was one airplane that could outdive a Thunderbolt and that was a vultee vengeance. Also the Typhoon could dive just as quick as a Thunderbolt.

[AtomWofW]

We Germans were lucky to have so good planes, with good Kanons too( MK 108, Bk 3.7 for example)

[Paulelly15]

On the eastern front,german aces shot down over 1,800 Stormovik Il-2 fighter bombers.

The Stormovik was one of the best planes built by the russians in WW2.

Germans called it the Concrete Bomber,meaning to say they respected the durability of the russian design.

Germans used Me-109 and Fw-190 on the russian front.

Never underestimate german canon fire!!!

[Paulelly15]

In addition,german aces shot down at least 158 P-51 Mustang and at least 174 P-38 Lightning fighters.

Both allied fighters were heavily armed.

Hitler was a complete idiot,but his pilots were worthy opponents!

[HughsyMovies]

Can you imagine what 8 .5 brownings would do to a plane? Crazy! Nice work btw keep it up

[Paulelly15]

FW-190 did have 20mm and 30mm canons,can you imagine what that did to allied escort fighters?

[HughsyMovies]

WOW! Thanx 4 telling me man! And yeah i saw some videos offa the gun cameras. pretty intense stuff

[felixu95]

Um, dude, The P-47 had 8 .50 cals, which made it the most heavily armed single engine aircraft in the whole war. The FW-190 and P-47 were pretty equally matched, but the P-47 was more heavily armed and more rugged. The Focke-wulf also had its own advantages, or course. However, probably no aircraft in the world can match the Jug's durability. You could shoot the engine anywhere you wanted and it still would come back to life.

[Paulelly15]

German aces in western europe shot down a total of at least 229 P-47 fighters.

German aces used Me-109/FW-190/Me-262 fighters.

These P-47 planes did not return home,many are nowadays still found deep under farm fields and also in lakes.

[felixu95]

Yeah. For each P-47 found in the bottom of farms and lakes, you will find 8 German airplanes.

[Paulelly15]

You could be correct in that respect,but that was not the point.

Story was that the P-47 would always come home,even with heavy damage,that story is surely not correct,as the data below shows.

And yeah,sometimes german planes are still found as well,so what?

Eventually,the allied fighters blasted everything out of the sky because the experienced german pilots were killed one by one,and replaced by rookies.

So,it was the overwelming numbers doing the trick,not just the P-47.

[felixu95]

I never said that they always came home. Yes, the German pilots who were experience were killed, but the P-47 wasn't used in Germany that much, in the end of the war. It was mainly P-51 who were used then, because of their range.

[Paulelly15]

P-47D with droptanks did have same range as P-51 and escorted bombers deep into Germany.

In fact,there was a healthy competition between pilots of both fighter types as to highest scores of enemy kills.

P-51 also had 8 X 0.5 cal,and was shot down regardless.

Not all allied pilots were aces,most found their match against very skilled german pilots.

A very good plane does not automatically let the pilot survive.

FW-190 was nicknamed The Butcher Bird

by allied pilots,says it all i think.

[kblackav8or]

P-51's only had 6. The P-47 had 8. The 47 was a very large airplane. Due to wing loading and it's innovative turbocharger system it was pretty much without peer at higher altitudes, yes it could and did out manuever even the German aircraft above 25000 feet. Unfortunately most dogfights in those days did not occur that high or if they did didn't stay that high for long.

[burjegol]

@kblackav8or sir, the polish pilot who borrowed johnson's plane engaged a FW 190 on the deck. he was matching it turn for turn, trying to run it out of gas as the jug's guns had jammed.

Don Gentile of the 4th FG outmaneuvered a FW 190 on the deck after blasting its 2 companions and him running out of ammo. He succeeded in letting the german run out of ammo trying to shoot him down. So, the jug is not only good upstairs but down as well.

[noblepuker]

@burjegol I don't believe it,it's burjegol,my wingman from the phillipines ! ....i WAS going to comment on the P-47's behalf,but you have it covered. Burjegol is an expert on the jug youtubers,he really is.

[burjegol]

@noblepuker Hello flight lead. Good to find you here. Any strafing runs? How about some flak suppression runs? that's the most dreadful mission US piltos ever have.

[noblepuker]

@burjegol Milk runs burjegol,milk runs....it's not like the old days.Good to hear from you,it's been awhile.

[Robert85435]

Hahaha, dream on Chester!

[PzAufklaerer12Btl]

@felixu95 8 of them parking yea. wondering what like 10 thunderbolts would have done vs 100 190´s ....... but anyway a great plane!

[Paulelly15]

Great plane,but numerous T-bolts were downed by especially the german FW-190.

Nowadays in Holland sometimes T-bolts are recovered from farmfields at which time their history becomes known into detail.T-bolts were used to accompany bombers into Germany,many were shot down over Holland by german fighter units which were specially trained for the killer job of killing the escort fighters. The T-bolt was a powerful weapon,so was the FW-190.

My respect for the fallen USAAF pilots.

[wisdomstar1981]

i love the judd

[Randy030]

Thanks for posting!

[Eidenschinker]

This aircraft is a beast.

[noonedude101]

I get to see Hun Hunter fly every year... This was the greatest compromise between speed(this was a very fast bird), maneuverability,survivability,­reliability, and sheer aesthetics... T Bolts forever!

[jjojo2004]

Wow, four airworthy Thunderbolts! The last time this could've been seen was 63 years ago over Germany!

[akodag]

Amazing !! Just Amazing !! BTW I wonder if the owners of these P-47s (or any war-birds) are allowed to have the functioning 50 cal guns in the wings!! Can they?? or do they ???

[cycler2]

No. The U.S. Goverment has you demilertize warbirds or any ex-military aircraft before a private sale.

[acrazedmaniac]

I met a guy (welch) who was the new boyfriend of my aunt, who flew these in Europe, ww2. his 'job' was to fuel up, load up (ammo) and go flying around and shoot stuff up, almost every day. Met him at a thanksgiving dinner and when i found out what he did, and he was answering all my questions (most do not want to talk about it), we talked for hrs...well, mostly cried a lot. He loved this plane, and almost 60 years later, you could tell, he was still there!Did we tear a lot, I never forget it!

[GeneralSirDouglasMcA]

Quality is GREAT considering it was shot with a digital camera.

[duinnerfs]

I read a book while in high schooll on fighter planes of WWI. The P47 was a flying tank, remarkable plane, thanks for your posting...

[Barbraossa85]

i know what you mean about 'tank'.

This German me-109 pilot emptied all his mg rounds into the fuselage and wings of the p47. When he was out ammo he showed his respect by moving his wings up and down a couple of times. 'good fight', then he took a hard right and took off.

[ad356]

damn tough is what the thunderbolt is. it can take an incredible amount of damage, even by todays standards. very sturdy reliable airplane. watch the thunderbolts dogfights episode.

[urrachunt]

WOW theres something about the P47D that does it for me. NICE. And great vid ta!!

[irishoforiel]

Me too 56FG!

[56thFG]

Recalling a conversation I had with my boss awhile back, I commented that to me an old car is nothing more than a pile of junk, but when I see an old warbird, my heart melts.

[gio31brasil]

this sound oe music!!

[ValiRossi]

Beautiful music!

[TMoorej]

I saw some amazing true stories on Shootout, about P47's and their pilots, some things you can hardly believe, these were some tough old warbirds!

[ChronoLegionX]

I have seen "No Guts No Glory" but the first D-model with the red cowling i have not. Sadly, there are not enough of these beasts in flying condition. I have always loved the thunderbolt more than any other fighter of that era. A beautiful sight.

[HDcamman]

Both P-47's with red cowling in the video are based at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, TN.

[BoNidle3863]

Its actually 5 Jugs including the razorback already parked on the flightline! Fantastic sight. I hope you yanks appreciate having this sort of thing available to you. In the UK we're down to one after they sold "No guts,no glory"(2nd P-47 taxiing). Oh well at least its a razorback at Duxford. Very cool video.

[octane130]

ACTUALLY, there were SEVEN Thunderbolts at Chino Airport that weekend (May 2005)! Five flew and one of the Chino-based Yanks Air Museum P-47s was on the flight line but did not fly. Their other P-47 was housed inside at their museum on the west side of the airport; that is their C-46 that you see in the background.

[irish89055]

bo,yeah, this is great stuff... maybe you can make it to one of these shows. A shame to see on outube one of your spits going into the ground. Can't be many left.

[gio31brasil]

to me youtube is the greatest thing that appears in internet!!!where else could I see this?

thank you octane!!!

[texasfathead]

4 lead slades, it could't clime or turn good but it could dive!

[Scooterjohnn]

Actually, the last versions with the paddle prop had much better climbing performance.

[Dunwyche]

Indeed, 4 jugs. That's rare. Thanke

[tembo01]

4 jugs?This must be a first for a long long time.

[Tjenilvec]

fantastic footage bro!!

[tedman1973]

Awesome!

[ajaciedjuh]

woh

[Auggie56]

Hey thanks octaine130. You have good taste in aircraft.

[Typhoon1]

woah