History
The P-47's nickname, the Jug, is a commentary about its bloated, pug nosed
appearance. The British, however, believed it to be an abbreviation for
Juggernaut. Both monikers, in their own way, are true. While hardly an
attractive aircraft, it was nonetheless formidable and difficult to bring down.
Although all fighters are designed with their power plants in mind, the Jug is a
case of a fighter designed completely around an engine -the Pratt & Whitney
Double Wasp R-2800, the most important American aircraft engine of the war.
Although its dimensions precluded sleek, low drag configurations for the
aircraft that employed it, it overcame this deficiency with sheer muscle: 2300
horsepower on WEP in P-47D.
The Thunderbolt was the largest single engine fighter of World War II, and its
appearance led many - particularly in the RAF - to dismiss the design as
ungainly and ill-suited for a fighter role against nimble Luftwaffe aircraft,
such as the Me109 and FW 190. What the Jug had, however, that the RAF fighters
lacked at the time was range. It served as an able bomber escort until late '43
when the Merlin powered Mustangs arrived.
Though the Jug had been displaced in its original role by the Mustang, it later
surpassed its successor in the job the P-51 initially performed: ground attack.
Whereas the Mustang's inline engine had made it vulnerable to ground fire, Jugs
could absorb significantly more damage, and deliver a far more potent payload.
The Thunderbolt in Air Warrior
By the late 1944 era modeled in Air Warrior, the P-47 is obsolete as an air
superiority fighter. As ground attack is limited in AW, the Jug has few uses in
the arena beyond whimsy. It is supreme, however, in two aspects: it dives well,
and can absorb the most punishment of any AW fighter. Also, it can carry two
bombs, and its 8,.50 caliber machine guns are potent if you can manage to bring
them to bear.
The P-47 in Full Realism
Unfortunately, the Thunderbolt benefits little from realism.
Virtues
Apart from its already noted firepower, diving ability, and durability, the Jug
is probably the most reluctant of Air Warrior fighters to enter a spin. It's an
extremely stable aircraft.
Vices
The P-47's stability comes at a price - this aircraft hates to maneuver.
Turning ability is an oxymoron with the Thunderbolt, and half loops are an
adventure, even if you begin the maneuver at 300 knots.
Finally, despite its formidable guns, the Jug has a small ammo load for an
American fighter. You'd get the same 8 machine guns, much more ammo, and better
maneuverability flying an A26 bomber, not to mention 6 extra bombs.
The P-47 in Scenarios
If the Thunderbolt has a role in Air Warrior, it is in scenarios. Here, one of
the Jug's noted attributes comes into play: high altitude performance. The P-47
is the fastest of all AW piston engine fighters above 30,000 feet. It also has
the range to stay airborne over long, scenario missions.
Tips
Don't fly this plane in the arena unless you have a sense of humor. If you do,
work with a wingman and employ the Jug as a vulture magnet. Enemy pilots flock
to P-47s and you and your wingie can be effective with a goodly amount of
separation, and good communication. The 47's speed, diving ability, and
durability make it perhaps the perfect choice for bait-and-drag tactics - the
art of getting enemy planes fixated on one target while setting up a wingman for
a shot. On boom and zoom attacks, it's best to use the Split-S to reverse on
subsequent passes, rather than tempt fate by trying to half loop this winged
leviathan. If you get into trouble, point that ample nose down; the Jug dives
like a wrecking ball, takes more damage than a T34 tank, and you can often get
away from even determined foes.
Munitions
Armament Ammo Load Payload
8-.50 cal. machine guns 1600 rounds 2-550 lb. bombs
Performance
| Armament | Ammo Load | Payload |
| 8-.50 cal. machine guns | 1600 rounds | 2-550 lb. bombs |