P-47 THUNDERBOLT | WWII Fighter Aircraft, Nicknamed the "Jug" | Upscaled Documentary

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American aerospace company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns, and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack role it could carry 5-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 lb (1,100 kg). When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to 8 tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war.
The Thunderbolt was effective as a short-to medium-range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and ground attack in both the European and Pacific theaters. The P-47 was designed around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial engine, which also powered two U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps fighters, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair. An advanced turbosupercharger system ensured the aircraft's eventual dominance at high altitude, while also influencing its size and design.
The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and also served with other Allied air forces, including those of France, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the USAAF also flew the P-47.
The armored cockpit was relatively roomy and comfortable and the bubble canopy introduced on the P-47D offered good visibility. Nicknamed the "Jug" owing to its appearance if stood on its nose, the P-47 was noted for its firepower, as well as its ability to resist battle damage and remain airworthy. A present-day U.S. ground-attack aircraft, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, takes its name from the P-47.
By the end of 1942, P-47Cs were sent to England for combat operations. The initial Thunderbolt flyers, 56th Fighter Group, was sent overseas to join the 8th Air Force. As the P-47 Thunderbolt worked up to operational status, it gained a nickname: "Jug" (because its profile was similar to that of a common milk jug of the time). Two fighter groups (FGs) already stationed in England began introducing the Jugs in January 1943 - the Spitfire-flying 4th Fighter Group, a unit built around a core of experienced American pilots who had flown in the RAF Eagle Squadrons prior to the US entry in the war; and the 78th Fighter Group, formerly flying P-38 Lightnings.
P-47 pilot Lt Col Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski, 56th Fighter Group, leading ace of the 8th Air Force
Beginning in January 1943, Thunderbolt fighters were sent to the joint Army Air Forces - civilian Millville Airport in Millville, New Jersey, to train civilian and military pilots.
The first P-47 combat mission took place 10 March 1943 when the 4th FG took their aircraft on a fighter sweep over France. The mission was a failure due to radio malfunctions. All P-47s were refitted with British radios, and missions resumed 8 April. The first P-47 air combat took place 15 April with Major Don Blakeslee of the 4th FG scoring the Thunderbolt's first air victory (against a Focke-Wulf Fw 190).
General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 36 ft 1.75 in (11.0173 m)
* Wingspan: 40 ft 9+5⁄16 in (12.429 m)
* Height: 14 ft 8+1⁄16 in (4.472 m)
* Airfoil: Seversky S-3
* Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
* Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
* Propellers: 4-bladed Curtiss Electric C542S constant-speed propeller, 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m) diameter
Performance
* Maximum speed: 426 mph (686 km/h, 370 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
* Range: 1,030 mi (1,660 km, 900 nmi)
* Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)
Armament
* Eight .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (3400 rounds)
* Up to 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs
* Ten 5 in (127 mm) HVAR unguided rockets
#p47 #thunderbolt #aircraft

[@Dronescapes]

Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: kzbin.info/aero/PLBI4gRjPKfnNx3Mp4xzYTtVARDWEr6nrT

[@OdeeOz]

What a fantastic update, and presentation of my favorite fighter from WW2. Rivaled only by the P-38... In the Pacific. 🤠👍👍& 10⭐

[@BenjaminForbes-mq5pr]

U😅

[@texasnutmegger3296]

Best comment I've read on the P-47. "The Spitfire and Hurricane held the line. The P-51 Mustang took the fight to Germany. The P-47 Thunderbolt broke the back of the Luftwaffe."

[@georges.patton4241]

I like that

[@oscargrouch7962]

P-47 pilot Robert S. Johnson describing October 1943 before P-51s flew their first mission in February 1944 "There is no questioning the battle experience or the skill of the German pilots, nor could we find solace in the outstanding performance of the Focke-Wulf FW-190 and Messerschmitt Me-109 fighters. But as we sharpened our own ability to slash and fight, the German aggressiveness so predominant in the early days of battle began noticeably to wane. By no means do I imply that the German pilot was less dangerous an opponent; once battle was committed, however, the enemy fliers no longer were as eager to slug it out with us in a free-for-all. Steadily, we shot down and killed many of there experienced men. At the same time, we gained constantly in experience and in our ability to master battle situations as they erupted. The 56th was well on its way to acquiring a galaxy of aces; indeed the very presence in the sky of our Group forbode ill tidings for the enemy." - Robert S. Johnson in his autobiography ‘Thunderbolt!’ Page 212

[@dukecraig2402]

P47's were escorting bombers over Berlin in the weeks before P51's were, so were P38's, after they finally got the proper type of drop tanks they had the range to take the bombers anywhere they went.

[@kiwidiesel]

@@dukecraig2402 absolutely, I have seen a few interviews regarding the incompetent staffing that'd did not allow for drop tanks to many fighters but I also under that internal fuel,will always dictate planning range and endurance.

[@zTheBigFishz]

P-47's took the brunt of the best fighter pilots the Germans had, basically swept them from the sky. When the P-51 finally arrived the Luftwaffe was significantly diminished.

[@charleselsey8241]

My dad worked on these in the Pacific. I am proud to say he was in the first group to make CMSGT. He was a Charter Chief. RIP Dad.

[@oceannavagator]

My Dad was a B17 pilot and said that when the P47's were overhead he felt the safest. He loved the P47 and kept a picture of one on his office wall along with a B17,G.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍👍♥️🇺🇸

[@mrc4912]

'Takes a licking and keeps on ticking' should have been the slogan for this awesome fighter plane. Many flew home with bullet and cannon holes from stem to stern that would have downed an average fighter plane but the pilots were unscathed by their encounters with Me 109s and Fw 190s. And those 8 .50 cal Brownings they carried were often the 'last word' in a high altitude air duel.

[@boatingexplainedwithcapndr8359]

The Spitfire and Mustang were beloved because they were so sleek and elegant. The Thunderbolt was “bulldog ugly,” but was a tough and effective war machine. Arguably, one of the most effective fighters of the war!

[@thewaywardwind548]

The famous "Jug." I never read that it was nicknamed that because it looked like a milk jug. I always read that the RAF -- used to Hurricanes and Spitfires -- called the seven-ton P-47 a juggernaut and the shortened nickname stuck. I worked at a hotel some years ago that hosted a P-47 reunion of pilots who fought in Italy. I was able to visit with some of these old pilots and heard some wonderful stories. One pilot told me that his squadron was based in Sicely and fought over Italy. Their problem was that they always running out of ammunition while they still had plenty of fuel. Their squadron armorers didn't ask the generals running the war but they re-wired the firing arrangement so the guns fired in pairs instead of all eight firing together since there were few targets that needed the attention of all eight guns. Two .50 caliber guns could take out vehicles and mortar and machine gun nests. The guns were controlled by cockpit mounted switches so two, four, six or all eight guns would fire. They began to have more time over the fighting and were able to support the ground troops better. I've never read about this field modification in any book.

[@secretsquirrel6308]

The jug was also called the milk bottle, although jug was more popular.

[@EmilPozarphoto]

@@secretsquirrel6308 postwar myth

[@roraev9296]

I learned that "Jug" was short for "Juggernaut" too. IIRC, this came from Robert S. Johnsons autobiography "Thunderbolt".

[@moss8448]

the more you read the more you'll come to understand

[@ralphshelley9586]

Get close and use shorter bursts. MARSEILLE luftwaffa ace tactic.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

What a brilliant documentary with plenty of footage. A lot of channels prefer to just play the same clips over and over but I really enjoyed seeing what it was like from every angle including how hard it was for the ground crews. Every bomb and every bullet manually loaded. Planes waiting in line to take off or flying back from a mission, it’s all good to watch. It helps to make us realise that for every plane there are probably two dozen people involved, mission planners, air controllers, pilots and mechanics, armourers, refuelers, cooks and quartermasters, medics and priests there are so many people involved behind the scenes with getting the planes in the air and most of it isn’t very glamorous. One thing I would like to see is more about the layout of the plane, a lot of people don’t realise how stuffed full the P47 was because most of the turbo / supercharger is located behind and under the pilot and just what a massive piece of machinery it is. Now I’ve subbed I’ve have a huge back catalogue to go through. Lucky me😂😂😂 Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺 ps is your narrator an Aussie?

[@HighlanderNorth1]

☑️ Yeah, I'm accustomed to watching historical videos from channels that constantly air stock footage of vehicles and planes that have little or no relevance to the actual subject matter of the video. ^Its so common that when I first started watching this, I fully expected to be deluged with footage of M4 Sherman tanks, Russian naval vessels, and Finnish infantry soldiers fighting in the winter war, all while the narrator talked about the development process of the P-47! 😁

[@secretsquirrel6308]

At certain times the narration sounded like AI. Some of the pronunciations were insufferable, such as 'inventories' early in the video. Then there were a few places in the script which can be perceived as misleading. One example is around the 13:40 mark that aircraft arrived only after a field was made 'safe'. Actually, in the island jumping campaign, few fields were secured from enemy attack by mostly ground forces. Other than that mild critique, I thought this a well put together video full of information. I appreciate the full history including how Republic came to be.

[@ifga16]

Often, these documentaries will use completely superfluous footage or images. Examples like ships built in the 1950s for WW2 or post war jets.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

@@ifga16 ☑️ Yeah, I'm thinking of doing a historical documentary on high tech military planes like the SR-71, F-35 and the F-22.. So, I'll need to add in lots of relevant video clips to run in the background as I narrate it. 😉👍 Therefore, I think I'll run stock images of the Wright Brothers plane, maybe a few pre-WW1 fighters, and some footage of WW1 era observation balloons. I guess I could throw in some video of hang gliders, and maybe footage of people canoeing down a small river. 😁

[@LuvBorderCollies]

The vintage film has all the earmarks of a 1940s to mid 50s company documentary. That includes the style of speaking which sounds British-like to me. Possible it might be govt funded production done soon after WW2.

[@georgewoods7988]

One of the best documentaries on World War II I’ve ever seen The detail is amazing. A new appreciation for the P 47 has been gained.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍

[@FantomWireBrian]

Flying tanks and protected the pilot more than any other fighters . My dad watched an ME 109 unload everything into a P 47 that the pilot couldn't shake. The pilot popped out and survived but fell into enemy lines. Dad was in charge of a gun squad breaking into Bastogne.

[@middleclassretiree]

How many other people were amazed by the landing at 18:30 on this video of the B-17 with damage and no engines running, that was the smoothest landing I’ve ever seen those guys had unbelievable skills and apparently nerves as strong as the bomber, just amazing I’d have flown anywhere with that pilot 👍👍👍👍👍

[@dieselyeti]

Looked like all four were turning but he had no gear, hence the belly landing. You can see all 4 props stop once he's down.

[@pruephillip1338]

Yes the engines were running, but the landing was incredible.

[@sabrecatsmiladon7380]

It's just a fleshwound.....

[@jacobnugent8159]

He absolutely buttered the landing

[@spreadeagled5654]

There was an Army Air Force joke. If you want to impress your girlfriend, fly a P-51 Mustang, but if you want to return alive and marry her, fly a P-47 Thunderbolt! 😁

[@DragerPilot]

As a baby boomer my toys were pot metal trucks, cap pistols, and heavy all metal WWII airplane models. My favorite was a D model P-47. I “flew” that airplane for hours on end. The Spitfire and Mustang are said to be prettier, but I’m not so sure about that.

[@RivetGardener]

Same here, but had no metal ww2 planes models. Had many books and WW2 and the P-47 were my favorite. Major Pete "Gabe" Gabreski was my hero growing up.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

Love that remark of “flew” that airplane for hours on end. Couldn’t say it better.

[@Tireshredderjoe]

I had the Hubley toy P47, started my fascination

[@volksfront9605]

Dinky made some nice die-cast models in the sixties under the name "Battle of Britain". The Spitfire sported even a spinning propeller and moving landing gear. You can watch a restoration of this toy done by Paul Restorer here on YT.

[@boatingexplainedwithcapndr8359]

We were pretty poor when I was a kid. Couldn’t afford the actual “toys” of these fighters. The toys cost over thirty bucks, but you could get the models for eight bucks back in the ‘70’s. I would save up and buy a model (or get one for my birthday). I’d build it and play with it until it would fall apart in pieces! 😂

[@tomnekuda3818]

What a beautiful, beautiful hunk of machinery!! And that magnificent engine! My Dad built the runways on the islands leading to the Japanese Empire.

[@pedalingthru2719]

What cb Battalion washe stationed with

[@tomnekuda3818]

@@pedalingthru2719 I cannot remember.......I'm 76 years old and I lost Dad many years ago. My memory is not so hot anymore....sorry.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

Bet he knew my Brother-In-Law.

[@tomnekuda3818]

@@stevenwiederholt7000 Maybe so....I always hope that I will see Dad on some of these war films.

[@stevenwiederholt7000]

@@tomnekuda3818 Wes was at Guadalcanal Saipan Okinawa. Toughest SOB I ever met.

[@patricklipski1662]

The engine sound alone is all that I need to give this plane 2 thumbs up 👍👍

[@Dronescapes]

👍😉

[@kenlinden9621]

The Luftwaffe had to experience 8 .50 Caliber MG's... unforgettable...

[@airplayn]

I knew an old Wehrmacht soldier who told me he knew that war was over when he had two P-47s make multiple strafing passes just to get him and one other guy walking across an open field.

[@collin6238]

The B17 flying straight and level with half it's port tailplane shot away crazy

[@johndilday1846]

I loved your video. My mother and her parents worked at the Republic Aircraft Plant in Evansville, IN during the war. My grandparents worked on fastening the aircraft skins to the frames, and my mother worked on installing the radios into the cockpits. They had some great publicity stills given out during the war that I got to see, my favorite being the sighting in of the 8 Browning .50 BMG wing mounted guns at night with all tracer rounds being fired to assist in seeing the streams better for precise adjustments. They worked 10 hour days six days a week for the duration of the war. Thanks for showing us this video.

[@johnthomas2485]

I grew up in Evansville too. One of my Great Aunts worked on the .50cals too. Grandmother worked on the LST's.

[@JohnWyattremax]

I was a young boy in Evansville and remember the present airport and the old Whirlpool plant were both built then to make the P47. I can remember they took them to the far side of the airport to sight in the guns. Evansville was quite the war town having the LST ship yard, Servel made parts for the P47, Chrysler made ammunition and devices tanks, much more.

[@waltbennett5503]

Just like the B-24 being put into the background, the P-47 is also a great aircraft.

[@radioguy1620]

In the 80's a man in our marina had a boat named" Ill wind " he owned a concrete plant in CT and my dad told me he had been an aircraft pilot in the war, forward another 20 years and a boss of mine gave me some aero magazines and he and his plane were on the cover, a P 47 named, I'll wind, wish I had talked to the man a bit.

[@MrSuzuki1187]

The P-47 became known as a jug because one pilot named his P-47 Little Brown Jug, a popular Glenn Miller song from that era. And THAT is where the P-47 got it's nickname.

[@Joop.23-2-63]

Interesting fact.........

[@24934637]

Absolutely love that 'bubbling' noise of the engine at idle at the start of the vid!!

[@clawhammer704]

My great uncle was flying a P47 in France when he was shot down by ground forces returning to base. They thought he was the enemy coming in to attack. He is buried in a large cemetery in France. Lots of confusion going on in war.

[@dennyhooper8987]

Great footage of the wonderful P-47 Thunderbolt, thank you!

[@OdeeOz]

Must have more updated WW2 Aviation History please. This is an absolutely Epic presentation, with the insight into development of the Jug, and Historical Fact narration. 👍👍& 10⭐ Rating from me.

[@Dronescapes]

🙏

[@mikehagmaier3949]

Awesome footage. I had no idea P-47s were part of the Pacific theater, let alone ever taking off from carriers! Big beautiful birds 🦅

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

Yes, late in the war, the Thunderbolt shared escort duty with the Mustang. The P47N variant had squared-off wingtips for extra range.

[@garyhill2740]

​@joshuariddensdale2126 The new larger wing held extra fuel which extended range on the "November" model (farther than the P-51 by accounts). The squared off wing tips improved roll rate, which along with larger elevators improved maneuver and control. With the increased HP of the later radial engines and the new larger paddle props, I'd hypothesize that the larger wing probably improved rate of climb as well. One of the fastest piston/prop fighter aircraft, with performance in the realm of the post war "super props" that ended the props era as jets replaced them. In short, the P-47N was one "bad @#$" airplane. I've seen quotes from the memoirs of pilots that flew P-51's and then transitioned to the P-47N that felt the November was the better airplane. THE airplane.

[@robertlauritsen3511]

My Mother was a riveter in the P 47 wing section at Republic in Farmingdale, N Y during WW ll. My very own Rosie.

[@Dronescapes]

Wow Robert, thanks for sharing and thank you for your mom's service!

[@jamescherney5874]

Outstanding combat footage. The radial air-cooled engine could always take more damage and survive than the water cooled engines with radiators and all kinds of plumbing. The eight 50s could deliver alot of lead at once when the target was only lined up for a short time and helped kill more aircraft. Also helped take out trains.

[@gordoh7634]

Great summation. P&W 2800 greatest engine of the war. In the Grumman Hellcat that dominated in the Pacific.

[@kdrapertrucker]

They rarely used all 8 .50s at he same time, they'd usually use 4 at a time to give themselves more firing time.

[@19553129]

Really a well done documentary on a rugged aircraft. Thank you!

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dude126]

Such a bold concept to pull away from the norm and create a groundbreaking design so different from its contemporaries.

[@marthakrumboltz2710]

Having seen since the 60s what I thought were most video of P47s, I was captivated by the presentation here. Many clips will be appreciated by watchers of this show. Thanks

[@bigron26048]

I admire this plane very much, because it was built like a tank, tough,durable and has a lotta firepower. I would imagine a pilot should feel safe and confident flying one in combat.😊

[@jimleffler7976]

One of the comments by the Brits, I believe, was "You could always slide down inside it and run around in the fuselage" 😀

[@mjo4981]

Best perspective I've heard regarding the underappreciated attrition on the Luftwaffe by the strategic bombing campaign, leading to air superiority by the Allies and making D-Day possible!

[@jimfinlaw4537]

Very nice video of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Gun camera footage was excellent. Truly one of the best multi-role fighters of all time. Too bad there were no firsthand accounts from P-47 pilots and ground crew. Also there was no mention of futher developments of the Thunderbolt such as the Chrysler powered XP-47H, XP-47J and the XP-72 Superbolt.

[@briangreenstone170]

Great video. Best one on the P-47 Thunderbolts

[@Spitsz01]

Great historical footage! Thank you.

[@PaulMcCartGuitarTracks]

I have never seen the videos of P47s launched from carriers, fascinating.

[@johnhopkins6260]

P-47 was a foundational cornerstone of USAF Tactical Air Command; From former 27670 - Air Weapons Controller Tech - 407L Mobile Tactical Radar, 601TCW... The A-10 Warthog continues a proud tradition (F-15E Strike Eagle, is also noteworthy) "Forward Air Controllers" (Vietnam era - airborne: FAC/0-1 L19/OV-10, Ground: ASRT/ROMAD)... now commonly referred to as TACP/JTAC.

[@johngetty3839]

Fabulous film and info. Excellent video on my favorite WW2 airplane.

[@jameslanning8405]

The "JUG," is one of my favorite planes. A beast to deal with, multirole, aircraft, as good up at altitude as it was on the deck. Heavy, well armored, 8 .50 cals, were standard issue. 3 tons empty, and as much as 7 tons loaded for bear! It was a well made aircraft, right for the time when it was needed. It's only real con, being the range it could fly. But external fuel tanks did improve that as well. It had a huge, multi row radial engine, pumping out some huge HP! I wouldn't attempt to take away anything from the Mustang, Lightening, or any of the Navy aircraft. But the P-47 is till one of my top picks!

[@dukecraig2402]

The N variant with it's wet wings had as much range as any other fighter. And P47's were escorting bombers over Berlin weeks before P51's were doing it, the truth is P47's in theater during the early unescorted bomber missions could have escorted them if they'd only have been provided with drop tanks, the P47D-15 with the wing pylons that could mount the US made all metal pressurized drop tanks were starting to be delivered to the 56th Fighter Group in April of 1943, that's 5 months before the infamous Black Thursday Schweinfert raid, those aircraft could certainly have escorted the bombers on those missions had they been provided with the proper type of drop tanks, also P38's in Europe at the time could have escorted them, the same variant's of P38's in theater in Europe 4 months earlier had flown the extreme long range mission to kill Admiral Yamamoto in the Pacific, it was longer range than any escort mission in Europe. Contrary to what some people think even P51's couldn't escort bombers without the use of drop tanks, the first thing people want to do is look up the range of P51's on internal fuel then Google the distance from some air field in east Anglia to Berlin and think they could, it's far more complicated then that, flying at the speeds bombers flew at the fighter's guzzled gas, plus bombers never flew straight paths to their targets, for those reasons and several others even with drop tanks P51's had to use the relay system to escort bombers, no fighter even with drop tanks could take off with the bombers and escort them all the way to their targets and back, that's a misconception that most people have, one flight would link up with them over the channel and take them to somewhere near the target, then they'd be relieved by a flight that took off well after they did but would catch up flying at the increased speeds that fighter's got their best mileage at and take them to the target with enough fuel for 15 minutes of combat time, then when the bombers came off the target there'd be yet another flight of fighter's that took off last and would link up with them coming off the target and would escort them home while the 2nd relay would fly back at the speed and altitude that gave them their best range, hat's off to the guy's who figured out the time tables that the different relays took off at to link up with the bombers during the different legs of their mission, that took a lot of math to figure out how to time everything right. And it didn't always work, sometimes the fighter's couldn't find the bombers and the fighter's that were already with them would just have to wave goodbye and throttle up to the cruising speed that'd give them enough range to make it home leaving the bombers to fend for themselves on the way back. Several years ago I was surprised to read that week's before the first P51 escort of bombers into Germany P47's and P38's had actually escorted bombers over Berlin first with P38's being the first of the two to do it, from reading all my life that the P51 came along and "saved the day" I always thought that they were the only fighter's that could, one really screwed up thing about it is the USAAF was using drop tanks on fighter's in the Pacific all along because of the necessity for them due to everything being so spread out in the Pacific, so it's not like they had to learn about them or something, they simply didn't provide them to the fighter's in Europe and even once it became painfully clear that they'd need them there wasn't enough to send to Europe because production had to be ramped up.

[@jerryw6577]

Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles has a 7 part series on the P47 which covers the range issue in detail. Basically, the "bomber mafia" which ran the Army Air Corps (Force) had so much faith in the bombers' ability to self-defend that they decreed in the late '30's that drop tanks were not allowed on pursuit (fighter) aircraft. Development and procurement of drop tanks suffered.

[@jameslanning8405]

@@jerryw6577 I guess at times, obstinance can get you somewhere! lol Having a long range pursuit aircraft that could do it's job without externals was good for 2 reasons. First was not needing the extra fuel, adding that to the fuel reserves. And second, was the aluminum it took to make the drop tanks. Ametal worth it's weight in gold in the aviation industry! Remember those adds, where they had the women going through their kitchens, and sending all their extra pots and pans to the collection point to be recycled for the war effort? And everyone was on rations then. My mother would tell me of having to have coupons to get shoes and other items. One pair of shoes for a year! Coffee, was rationed! Anyway, thanks for the response!

[@johnthomas2485]

There's a reason the A-10 was called Thunderbolt 2

[@jameslanning8405]

@@johnthomas2485 Why? Because they were both built by Republic Aircraft? Actually, the A-10 was developed by Republic, after the company merged with Fairchild. But I suppose that's a moot point.

[@michaelrtreat]

Great footage!

[@PaulMcCartGuitarTracks]

Well done, the best historical video I’ve seen this year.

[@Dronescapes]

👍🙏

[@phillipwasson2980]

Absolutely superb!👌

[@markvickers3488]

My father was a Hurry, then a Spit pilot. He gave a little ribbing to P - 47s , cause they weren't all out dog fighters. But they were absolutely incredible.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍👍

[@s.marcus3669]

Au contraire. The Thunderbolt was very much a dogfighter despite it's heavy weight. There are many good books on the Thunderbolt but the best one of them all is probably "Thunderbolt" by Robert S. Johnson...

[@davegeisler7802]

@@s.marcus3669 you bet it was , she was very fast at altitude and highly manuverable

[@davegeisler7802]

Wrong ! , the Jug was badass at high altitude , very fast and agile

[@namvet68]

Love these planes. My father-in-law flew one for the 9th Army Air Corp during ww2 - 96 missions in Europe from D-day & battle of the bulge until the end Then flew & trained newpilots in the P-51s

[@colvinator1611]

Another brilliant example of the American nation stepping up to the mark. Great designers, great engineers working to equip the dedicated military personel to get the job done.

[@pedalingthru2719]

You do realize the engineersand design of this aircraft was done by russian immigrants.

[@sonnyburnett8725]

@@clintwoodruff1187 Don’t believe he meant his remark as an insult rather a clarification of the planes heritage. Go Trump!

[@dukecraig2402]

@@pedalingthru2719 You do realize that America is the land of immigrants don't you, go ahead other nations, keep on throwing out your best, brightest and hardest working, we'll keep taking them.

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

I just LOVE the old warbirds. Thanks for sharing this fantastic vid, appreciate it a LOT 👍 Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.

[@Dronescapes]

🙏♥️👍

[@Fiftyx60]

Excellent documentary. Thanks for sharing it.

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@glendepasse1698]

7 out of the top 10 European theatre U.S. fighter aces flew P-47's.

[@hawlikd]

8 50 Cals . . . What fire power!

[@richardwillis4516]

outstanding presentation!

[@ronlackey2689]

Seeing them launched off the jeep carriers via catapult was so interesting to watch. I wonder if that was the Jug pilots first time being launched via catapult on such a short runway? If not, I bet there was a serious pucker factor while waiting your turn.

[@Tireshredderjoe]

Unbelievable video, thanks so much!

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you liked it!

[@saintgeorge9569]

I took my then 3 1/2 year old son to see a display of WW2 fighters at the old Santa Monica Airport Museum. He spent much of the afternoon on my shoulders, but at one point I put him down to rest and he made an immediate bee line towards a mighty green P-47, and ducking under the cordon ran straight towards the nose. Before I could catch up to him he stumbled, smacking his head against the lowest prop blade positioned vertically a couple feet above the tarmac. Fortunately it was a glancing blow, however it did draw a little blood from the approximately 1" cut right in the middle of his forehead. A little antibiotic creme and a band-aid later and he was good to go. Fast forward 25 years, if you look real hard you can still see the very slight remnant of his battle scar, a reminder that he may well be the last person ever to be attacked by a P-47 Thunderbolt.

[@user-me3nt6oo3w]

This was the most enjoyable documentary I have watched!

[@richardlahan7068]

My favorite WWII fighter.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Awesome!!!

[@haroldbradshaw115]

The best history Documentary I have ever seen on the P 47, great work Man ! Where did you find all the unseen video!

[@Joop.23-2-63]

Like the P-51, the P-47 looks better with the bubble canopy instead of the razorback, IMHO.

[@amievil3697]

My fav wwii plane! What a beast!! My pops loved the P38

[@keithbelair6203]

My uncle flew a P47 out of Duxford, England from 1943-1945 flying bomber escort. Luckily he came home fine.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍🙏

[@jwilliamson196]

extremely great video all new to me. excellent narration Great Job.

[@dewboy13]

Love the Jug!

[@stevek8829]

Great presentation. The video, voice not overly dramatic or loud and no add in noisy muzak. Oh, and no giant watermark on other peoples' original work. Thanks!

[@ravenjason13]

Great planes doc!

[@jiyushugi1085]

Great pics! That one dude around 8:00 pulled the gear up a little early.

[@stevefranklin9920]

Great documentary!

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joserdiazalmodovar1898]

Wow insane ¡ never seen this footage ¡ the shortest carrier takeoffs ive ever seen ¡ insane ¡

[@dukecraig2402]

If you look you can see raw fuel blowing out of what's the true exhaust on them, where you see blue oil smoke blow out up front just below the cowling on each side during start up of a P47 isn't really the exhaust it's the wastegate dumps, the real exhaust is on the belly behind the pilot which is directly underneath the turbo. Typically the turbo doesn't even come into play until around 7,000 ft which is where the air starts to get thin enough that the engine's centrifugal supercharger can no longer provide maximum boost, at that point the wastegate dump valve's start to close diverting exhaust to the turbo to spin it so it can provide pressurized air to the engine's supercharger effectively keeping it operating with the same inlet pressure it has at lower altitudes, the higher it goes and the thinner the air gets the more the wastegate dump valve's close diverting more and more exhaust to the turbo spinning it faster and faster as per the engine's superchargers needs, the only time at lower altitudes that the turbo would be being driven by engine exhaust is when the pilot has the engine in War Emergency Power (WEP) with water injection, also known as overboost. Those P47's taking off from that carrier are literally at sea level where the air is at it's thickest, exhaust coming out of the true exhaust underneath the turbo on them instead of it all coming out of the wastegate dumps up by the cowling flaps is an indication that the pilot has the engine in WEP with the water injection engaged, on that variant that's probably good for 2,300 HP.

[@chuckm869]

I always loved old warbirds from WW2

[@bake547]

I didn't know P-47 were deployed to the pacific. Very impressive

[@vitorperlin1243]

The P47 thunderBolt The fist plane of brasilian Air force

[@airplayn]

At around 3:50 you can see the Seversky bobble up and down. I call that the "Bellanca bobble" cause these airplane's landing gear are hand cranked 36 turns to retract and the pilot can translate that motion to the stick while cranking in those turns, (I've owned several Bellancas, from 1947 to 1959)

[@matthewgauthier7251]

I wondered why it was moving that way. Makes perfect sense. Thanks

[@airplayn]

@@matthewgauthier7251 You'll notice that a lot in high performance planes of the 30's. I've owned 7 Bellancas and they didn't replace the 36 turns of bicycle chain with hydraulics until 1950.

[@clarkbowen9882]

Great job on this video. Thank you.

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you liked it!

[@stephenmeier4658]

Yeah it is over 35 years old dude

[@charlesrousseau6837]

A great copy nonetheless.

[@khankrum1]

I feel for those B17 aircrew who suffered such appalling losses.

[@patrickmccrann991]

Highest scoring Fighter Group in the 8th Air Force, the 56th FG "Wolfpack", flew the Thunderbolt through its entire career and did so at its own request. M and N models had almost as much range as the Mustang.

[@PoochAndBoo]

Not the M model. The N was the Thunderbolt version that was long ranged. The N was basically a D model with upgraded Pratt and Whitney that could put out 2800 hp!

[@dukecraig2402]

@@PoochAndBoo M&N's both used the R2800-57 engine, the N was basically a P47D-40 with "wet wings" and the -57 variant engine. And it's a misnomer that the N was developed specifically for the Pacific, if anything it was actually being designed for Europe. In the Pacific fighter's weren't prohibited from the use of drop tanks like they were at first in Europe, the commander's in Europe may not have been smart enough to understand that prohibiting fighter's from using drop tanks was a problem but the engineers at Republic were, they recognized immediately that fighter ranges were an issue so they went about it themselves to develop wet wings for them as a way to increase their range and not run afoul of the whole drop tank heartburn that the commander's in Europe had, but since the USAAF's wishes came first development of wet wings for the P47 had to take a back seat to some of the P47 variant's that the USAAF wanted developed that never wound up being produced anyways like the inverted V16 Chrysler engine variant, as a result by the time the N variant was fully developed P47's already in use in Europe were finally provided with drop tanks enabling them to go with the bombers anywhere they went anyway, and since victory in Europe was pretty much a forgone conclusion at that point anyways it was deemed that all produced N variant's would be better used in the Pacific with the long ranges that escorts were required to fly. Had Republic not been saddled up with developing variant's that were never produced anyways and the USAAF seen the importance of range earlier the N variant undoubtedly would have had a much lower alpha numeric designation than N, it could very well have had the designation of one of the unproduced variant's like J or maybe even lower, who knows it might have been ready when P47 fuselage's still had the razorback feature.

[@davegeisler7802]

The hot rodded P47M Model was tweaked by the Crew Chiefs , with wastegate modifications to increase the boost of the big GE Turbo , 100/150 octane fuel and 72 hg of Manifold Pressure the M could acheive between 480-490 mph . She was badass !! 🇺🇸👍

[@scottinohio701]

THE N model had MORE range than the mustang!!!!!!!!! When finally given drop tanks ALL the other variants were equal in range to the 51!!!!! THE RANGE THING WAS A MYTH PERPETUATED BY THE BOMBER MAFIA!!!!!!!

[@dukecraig2402]

@@scottinohio701 Kinda, although the P51 never used them in Europe and only the unit flying off of Iwo Jima in the Pacific did the use of the 300 gallon drop tanks on them appears to have given them more range than the P47N's in the Pacific that were the primary users of the 300 gallon tanks. But there's several things that negate the issue anyways, even if coupled with the 300 gallon drop tanks gave the P51D more range than the P47N it doesn't matter because the P47N's were going anywhere the B29's were going anyways, so unless they planned on flying escort missions from the factory P51's having more range was a mute point. Another thing is all the records indicate that B29's didn't need escorts, the difference in loss rates between escorted and unescorted B29 missions was negligible, the B29's kill to loss ratio of 11.9 to 1 was actually better than the P51's record of 11 to 1, it was actually deadlier to enemy fighter's than it's escorts were, that's because between the speed and altitude that it flew at coupled with it's computer augmented defensive gun sights meant that enemy fighter's were clawing for air and could barely maneuver at that altitude making them clay pigeons for the gunners in a B29 with their highly advanced defensive guns.

[@michaelsimpson7431]

What a great documentary

[@Dronescapes]

👍❤️

[@leosaura1993]

With out doubt another of WW2 beautiful war bird.

[@susanbutler2498]

Magnificent Fighter & Doco!

[@Dronescapes]

Indeed!

[@mitreswell]

Truly America's finest hour!

[@jameshathaway5117]

I always thought the guys at Republic stood around looking at bomber engines saying to themselves "that would make for a mean fighter!"

[@jesuspazgonzalez8080]

The Best of the Best superb video lauching from Carrier i never seen P47 in camping in the pacific awesome video I suscribe rigth now thanks

[@Dronescapes]

♥️♥️🙏👍

[@rburns9730]

My favorite Cat story is of the Arkansas Traveler and her commander Nathan G. Gordon. The best source for the story can be found on "Pacific Wrecks". The short version is he landed repeatedly in 15' seas (in between the waves) to rescue downed bomber pilots. This was done within gun range of Kaveing harbor the bombers target. The last landing was within 600 yards of the beach. One of the few Medals of Honor awarded for saving lives.

[@rburns9730]

I thought I posted this in the PBY comment section? 🤣

[@sammyd1382]

great stuff. one of my best favorit plane of all time.

[@Dronescapes]

Indeed it is!

[@e.r.a.a.7426]

Nice

[@terrywallace5181]

Thanks. I had not heard about the P-47js involvement in the Marinnass (sp?) offensive.

[@joed.1547]

Didn't know they were able to stow below deck on the little carriers. Great video.

[@patfromamboy]

The carriers were built in Vancouver, Washington. My aunt and uncle helped to build them.

[@robertsypniewski5441]

My father Tech Sgt. Edward Sypniewski was in the 3rd Armored Div. 67th Mobile Field Artillery. Landed on Omaha Beach

[@robertsypniewski5441]

My father Tech Sargent Edward Sypniewski was attached to the 67th Mobile Field Artillery Batllion with the 3rd Armored Division during WW2. On June 20th, 1944..his birthday he landed on OmahaBeach. He shared with me often that if it was not for the P47's he would not have survived the war. I of course then could not be giving thanks to these selfless , humble, sacrificing pilots. I was lucky enough to reach out to the P47 pilot from Luverne, Minnesota featured on the PBS special on WW2. During my conversation I extended my appreciation and father's belated thanks that my father often shared with me to him and his fellow pilots. Had it not been for P47 pilots I would not have been born, married ...52 yrs.... had four children and four grandchildren plus 2 pending. How do you thank a person whose actions may have contributed to my father's life. What impressed and continues to haunt me is his selfless comment on how all the pilots were aware of the difficult time the armored divisions were having in destroying superior German Armored tanks. Not even mentioning their own hardships. It was these pilots with their P 47's that destroyed many German tanks early on that the Sherman tanks could not. How many pilots had this selfless attitude in sacrificing their lifes for ground troops they never met nor would never know. My father knew some of these pilots through radio transmission only as he was a spotter in a Piper Cub flying on the front and behind enemy lines directing location of German positions and hidden tanks. Very often gliding to avoid ground fire with engine off so not be heard . My dad fought from Omaha Beach thru France, Belgium/Holland and finally Germany. Any remaining P47 pilots ...or children/grandchildren of those gracious pilots... who fought in those countries in WW2 my sincerest thanks and appreciation to those pilots who fought and sacrificed their lives for my father Tech Sargent Edward Sypniewski 67th Mobile Field Artillery, 3rd Armored Div. It was those P47 pilots heroics that allows me to write this belated thanks for both my deceased father, myself and for our future generations .

[@Dronescapes]

Wow

[@dfedko]

Great video well done and very interesting

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnfriend240]

Lots of footage I've never seen before!

[@oceanhome2023]

Especially their use in the Pacific !!

[@americanpatriot2422]

Great video!

[@Dronescapes]

Glad you enjoyed it 🇺🇸🙂👍

[@stephenbettinger1696]

It amazes me how many historians get the term 'Jug' wrong. It didn't "look like a milk jug". The DAMN THING WAS HUGE, you could fit a P-51 INSIDE its dementions, it could take and give one hell of a beating and it was fast. It was a Juggernaut! [AKA: The Jug] Dad loved flying it. Especially in close air support missions.

[@steventurner9744]

Excellent !!!!!

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jameswebb4593]

The best Fighter Bomber of WW2 , packed a punch and could take one . The Mustang and Spitfire suffered severe losses in the ground attack role . American Airforce leaders made a big mistake delegating the P-47 to the scrap heap , after the war . When the Korean War broke out the USN had far better aircraft to fight the enemy , then the AF . The main USAF single seater's the F-80 Shooting Star and the P-51 Mustang were found wanting. Two thirds of F-80 production were lost in Korea , shot down by ground fire . Some units were re-equipped with Mustangs , which suffered a similar fate. The South African Airforce purchased 94 Mustangs , 74 being lost for the death of 33 pilots.Eventually the Americans took pity upon them and supplied F-84 Sabres.

[@alexchainey.]

That is a War Fighter! What a beast!

[@hertzair1186]

This is the fighter I would want to fly for the Allies. ..especially the P-47N model.

[@elliotdryden7560]

The aircraft parked so tightly at 0:49 are P-47Ns. Possibly headed to or from their very brief use in the closing days of the war in the Pacific. The N was the ultimate P-47 as far as I am concerned as well!

[@khankrum1]

I did not know that" Jeep" Carriers used catapult. This is KZbin at its best. I have not used TV in years, this is far better.

[@patfromamboy]

They had to like all carriers because they were shorter. My Uncle helped to build 50 Casablanca class carriers in 2 years in Vancouver, Washington. It was a small city and it impresses me that they could do it.

[@petermitchell4969]

The film and commentary are both excellent, marred by the noisy, intrusive musical accompaniment.

[@warpedbeyondhelp]

Great video. Outstanding narration. Quality material. LOSE THE MUSIC. It detracts from the majesty of the footage.

[@Dronescapes]

Noted!