In 1943, the 8th Air Force was launching raids on Germany with its B17 and B24 from England. The aim was to destroy German main production factories. Unfortunately, losses during theses missions were very heavy and it became urgent to develop a fighter able to escort the bombers over enemy soil. The limited ranges of the Spitfire and P-38 Lightning did not make these fighters able to go further than Paris, leaving the bombers alone to fend for themselves for the rest of the flight. With the development of the P-47, this problem was overcome. The P-47 was the first single-seated fighter to be equipped with a supercharger, allowing it to fly at the same high altitude as the bombers. This high-flying fighter was armed with eight 12.7mm machineguns that proved very useful in the intense fighting that occurred in the European skies. Equipped with drop tanks for longer range, the P-47D was then able to escort the bombers all the way to the German border. The Thunderbolt also allowed many Allied pilots to become Aces. Bomber crews plagued day after day by intensive German interceptions, would remark that the presence of the P-47 was of great help.

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Suggested Paint Colors

AS-12 - Bare Metal Silver AS-6 - Olive Drab (USAAF) AS-7 - Neutral Gray (USAAF) TS-27 - Matte White TS-29 - Semi Gloss Black X-18 - Semi Gloss Black X-23 - Clear Blue X-27 - Clear Red X-31 - Titanium Gold XF-1 - Flat Black XF-10 - Flat Brown XF-15 - Flat Flesh XF-16 - Flat Aluminum XF-2 - Flat White XF-3 - Flat Yellow XF-4 - Yellow Green XF-49 - Khaki XF-5 - Flat Green XF-56 - Metallic Grey XF-57 - Buff XF-62 - Olive Drab XF-64 - Red Brown XF-7 - Flat Red