P-47 Thunderbolt part 1

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P-47 Thunderbolt history dates back to 1939 and previous project, carried out in the Seversky Aircraft Company. 1 August this year, chief designer Alexander Kartveli in response to a formal requirement, introduced the draft lightweight high-altitude fighter with the designation AP-10. This aircraft, in contrast to previous projects record, was powered by liquid-cooled inline engine, not the engine of an air-cooled. Weapons were supposed to be two 12.7 mm machine guns above the engine. The machine had to have a curb weight 2200 kg and home approx. 2800 kg, bearing surface of 16 m2 and reach speeds of 667 km/h at an altitude of 4500 m, reaching it in 3.5 minutes. United States Army Air Corps became interested in the project, but requested to strengthen weapons, even at the expense of performance. 4 guns 7.62 mm were added to the wings, and the weight increased to 2980 kg. In November 1939, the prototype was ordered under the designation XP-47. In January 1940,. Ordered free of weapons, radios and other equipment another copy under the designation XP-47A, as soon as possible to test the capabilities of the machine.
The ongoing war in Europe clearly indicated that the fighters must have strong armor, high firepower and self-sealing fuel tanks. The XP-47 was not able to meet these requirements due to insufficient engine power. In order to the Air Force never rejected the project, the company produced a brand new machine – the later P-47 Thunderbolt. The project had little to do with the XP-47 and XP-47A. The first drawings of the aircraft were created in September 1940. USAAC especially laid stress on getting the maximum speed at the highest height of at least 640 km/h on 10000 m. US Aviation had in fact dominate at altitudes above 8,000 meters, and only then gradually lower the ceiling name and destroy enemy action closer to the ground. When designing new aircraft were used solution in the previous design, the Republic P-43 Lancer and XP-44, and even ready-made fuselage sections of the P-43. Used radial, 18-cylinder, air-cooled engine Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, with a capacity of 1900 hp, equipped with a turbocharger, which was placed behind the fuselage (have already tested the concept in P-43 Lancer) up to 7 meters away from the propeller. Exhaust fumes were applied pipes on the sides at the bottom of the hull, and the exhaust outlet of the turbocharger it is just before the tailwheel. Cable inlet air from the compressor to the engine also led along the hull, but over wings. In order to make full use of engine power used four blade propeller with a diameter of up to 3.66 m, which necessitated the use of high-main landing gear. Wings, with proven Republic profile S-3, had an elliptical outline. Tail wheel, retractable in-flight in the fuselage, was controllable. Self-sealing fuel tanks were placed in the hull. The plane was supposed to have curb weight 5216 kg, reach a speed of 644 km/h at 7620 m and 4572 m altitude to reach in 5 minutes. June 12, 1940, the project presented USAAC that on September 6 ordered a prototype under the designation XP-47B. The prototype airframe was ready on 4 May 1941. 13 September USAAC placed an order for 773 machines, 171 as P-47B and 602 as P-47C. Thunderbolt name, approved by the USAAF, invented one of the company directors of Republic, C. Hart Miller. The prototype had first flew on 6 May , 1941. It achieved during subsequent flights, the speed of 663 km/h at 7800 m, and so more than planned, and at the height of 4572 m rising up in 5 minutes. During the trial there have been problems shake the tail and the oil system failure and a turbocharger at high altitudes. The prototype was destroyed in an accident on 8 August , 1942.
The plane was well-armored, armed and equipped and extremely resistant to damage. P-47 Thunderbolt fall out the worst on the fly to the ground, and preferably at a height of 8,000 to 12,000 m, Which resulted from the application of efficient (especially at high altitudes) turbocharger. Thanks to her was one of the best single-altitude fighter in World War II. The preferred tactic in the attack was the attack in advance and escape at level, and in defense of not fighting circular and rapid transition to a diving half barrels. Comparing the P-47 Thunderbolt with a later version of the P-51D Mustang, P-47 surpassed his performance at altitude above 7500 m, moreover, was more resistant to damage, and strongly armed. Comparing the P-47 German aircraft, the P-47 Thunderbolt surpassed all versions Messerschmitt Bf109G and Focke-Wulf Fw190A. It rivaled only versions Messerschmitt Bf109G and K from engine DB-605D and Focke-Wulf Ta152. P-47M Thunderbolt version could even make almost equal the fight against jet fighter Me262. The cockpit was spacious, well ventilated and heated, which provided great comfort pilots, not only because of the heat, but also thanks to its unique removing ice from the glazed cabin. The disadvantage of the first version was a large number of small windows, which limited visibility. Strong arming allowed to eliminate an opponent after giving a brief series. A major role at the effectiveness of combat aircraft played a rejected application on the fly additional fuel tanks – thanks to its significantly increased the radius of the effective operation of the machine. For its features pilot and combat resistance to damage the machine was liked and appreciated by pilots.Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in WW2 history to be powered by a single piston engine. Production: 15660 aircrafts