Without question, the P-47 was one of America's greatest fighters of World War Two.
The aircraft was designed around the huge new R-2800 engine
equipped with a turbo-supercharger to greatly increase high-altitude performance.
Armed with eight .50 caliber machine guns, the P-47 carried more firepower
than any other World War Two fighter and it was the largest and heaviest American single-seat fighter to see combat.
The leading American aces in Europe flew P-47's exclusively.
In addition to establishing an impressive record as a high-altitude escort fighter,
the P-47 gained recognition as a low-level fighter-bomber
because of its ability to carry a heavy load of bombs and rockets and to absorb battle damage and keep flying.
The P-47 was widely and successfully used in both the European and Pacific theatres.