P-47 vs The P-51.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Keyworth The pilot was Bob Johnson of the 56th FG. They counted over 20 20MM holes as well. the a/c was carted off as junk when they finished cutting him out of the cockpit. The defense rests :D

Here's a pic of the tail of that plane.

Give me the Jug. My dad (WW II vet) says that the P-38 was the cat's meow during the war.

Guys,

Good thread, tough choice. Since I'm a proponent of Close Air Support, I'd have to go with the Jug, but each airplane certainly has its merits. Now to address the speed issue.... Depending on the dash number of the D or any later model, the P-47 and not the P-51 had the speed advantage. The P-47M on full war-emergency power topped out at just under 480mph. Granted speed like that is going to blow the engine if maintained for an extended period of time, but it could do it, where the P-51 topped out at 440mph. I've got a 48th Hasegawa P-47D that I converted to an M flown by Polish Ace Witold Lanowski when he was attached to the 56th FG. Beautiful black upper surfaces over bare metal. Its one of my best models ever....

I happen to prefer the Jug, but this thread is the old "apples and oranges" comparison. While the Mustang had a big edge in range which made it better for long-range escort, the Jug was better for tactical work because of it's durability, firepower, and load. Both airplanes could hold their own in air-to-air combat. It is a matter of utilizing the good points of the airplane you are flying regardless of what it is.

Jim

Depends on which P-51 and which P-47 we're talking about. Everyone almost always is referring to the P-51D and most talk about the P-47D. The max range for the P-47D was around 1800 miles while the P-51Ds range was around 2300 miles. The P-51D's top speed is listed to be around 437mph @ 25000'.
The P-47N however had a range of almost 2400 miles. This version escorted B-29s all the way from Saipan. Plus its listed top speed was 448mph @ 25000'.
The M version was basically built just to intercept V1 buzz bombs. It was lightened and had little armor, included water injection and was fitted with airbrakes. It also had no external hardpoints.

Dont forget the XP-47J was the first propeller driven fighter to exceed 500mph in level flight.

I have read that the R-2800's could be turned up to very high horsepower levels, like around 3200hp. They did wear out sooner but didnt suffer any failures at all, just a shorter TBO.

My preference (my choice, meaning its my view whether consitent or inconsistent with others views) would be the P-47. Later versions could do what a P-51 could do plus some and have the big radial engine up front, you cant go wrong with that. (Though sincerely deep down, I always wanted to be in the bombers)

DaveB

Re the XP-47J - it happens to be my favorite Jug variant. Too bad the cool-looking cowl and spinner never made it into the production variants. From what I understand there were originally supposed to be two "J" prototypes built with the second having a bubble canopy.

Jim

I voted for the best fighter but, during combat. The P51 was the troughbred for sure but for my money I would want a good sturdy plane that can take the punishment as well as dish it out. So I think the point of the question " which is your favorite fighter " may also include engagement. I still would go with the P47.

Both aircraft were designed for different rolls and were very good at their own area of operations. The jug was a big heavy mother that went in banged some heads and went out, it could take hits and keep coming and was excelent for low level support. When you went up high in the thin atmosphere and long range escort missions the 'Stang beat all. Fuel injection helped to make it a very capable fighter. I don't think either one is the best statisticaly but we all gotta have an opinion right? P-51 all the way.

By far the P-47 hands down. If it wasnt for the british putting the merlin engine in the mustang it wouldnt have lived up to the airplane that it was and probally would have been cancelled.

They were both the best but for different reasons. The P-47 is close to my heart because of a picture I have of a Razorback with the name "Molly" on the cowl and my Dad with 12 others in front of the left wing. It was named after Melvin "Molly" Mollberg, my namesake, who died in the crash of a C-47 on May 13, 1945, Mother's Day! He had taken my Dad's place as part of the flight crew. In 1974 I was lucky to get a 30 minute hop in the jump seat of a P-51D and it was flight to remember! The "51" is all smooth flowing lines and the "Jug" is a lovable brute!

QUOTE: Originally posted by maddafinga QUOTE: Originally posted by Keyworth The pilot was Bob Johnson of the 56th FG. They counted over 20 20MM holes as well. the a/c was carted off as junk when they finished cutting him out of the cockpit. The defense rests :D Here's a pic of the tail of that plane.

Here's part of the story as Maj. Johnson told it in "Thunderbolt":
There are twenty-one gaping holes and jagged tears in the metal from exploding 20mm cannon shells. I'm still standing in one place when my count of bullet holes reaches past a hundred; there's no use even trying to add them all. The Thunderbolt is literally a sieve, holes through the wings, fuselage and tail. Every square foot, it seems is covered with holes. There are five holes in the propeller. Three 20mm cannon shells burst against the armor plate, a scant inch away from my head. Five cannon shell holes in the right wing; four in the left wing. Two cannnon shells blasted away the lower half of my rudder. One shell exploded in the cockpit, next to my left hand; this is the blast that ripped away the flap handle. More holes appeared along the fuselage and in the tail. Behind the cockpit, the metal is twisted and curled; this had jammed the canopy, trapping me inside.
The airplane had done her best. Needless to say, she would never fly again.