Photographs
by Dan Patterson, text by Paul Perkins.
The
P-47 Thunderbolt is probably best remembered for the
toughness that kept it flying even when battered by
flak and small arms fire. That was no mean feat in the
roiling air over World War II-blackened Europe, where
the P-47's durability contributed to it's success as
a ground attack weapon. In spite of it's large size,
the "Jug" was also a formidable foe of Luftwaffe fighters;
it could outdive all it's opponents, and a burst from
it's eight .50-caliber machine guns was often decisive.
More enemy aircraft were destroyed in aerial combat
by the Thunderbolt-equiped Fifty-sixth Fighter Group
than any other group in the Eight Air Force.
This book puts this imposing and versatile warbird
back in her element. Climb into the cockpit along with
the pilot and watch as armorers tend to her weapons
and ground crews pose proudly with their planes--then
and now. Look in on a briefing and get a glimpse of
the devastation that resulted when the machine guns
found their mark. Listen as the men who wore the oxygen
masks and flight jackets remember the P-47 Thunderbolt,
flown by more Allied airman than any other U.S. fighter.
>The
Living History Series takes you inside some of the great aircraft
of World War II. Members of the Association of Living History carefully
research the uniforms of the period, with the intention of portraying
these planes as true to the times as possible. With wonderfully
detailed photographs of various positions, instrumentation, engines,
and armament, along with archival WWII photos, you'll fly with the
pilots and crews of these aviation classics.
The
Living History Series takes you inside some of the great aircraft
of World War II. Members of the Association of Living History carefully
research the uniforms of the period, with the intention of portraying
these planes as true to the times as possible. With wonderfully
detailed photographs of various positions, instrumentation, engines,
and armament, along with archival WWII photos, you'll fly with the
pilots and crews of these aviation classics.