[poncho]

That is a useful site SG. Your post brings up a question I had about model designations. What was the latest D- model number? Were the N and M models alternatively designated as D-XX or would they only be called N's or M's?


Taurus, Excellent work. Is the switch cover missing in the original pit, or did I cut it out by mistake?
If it is me, I will try to repair it.

Poncho

[FA_Diablo]

poncho....I believe the D-40 was the last operational D model to fly combat. The M model was a modified D with no pylons and the bigger P&W 2800 engine.

http://www.spitfireperformance.com/p-47/p-47.html

The N model was special built for the Pacific Theather. Wings and landing gear were different than D or M models. Despite the bigger wings and larger payload of fuel the N model was almsot as fast as the M which was the speed demon of all T-Bolts.

It is my dream to get a true N model in the game one day.

[I_B_Spectre]

One thing I've always missed in the stock IL-2 Jug panel was an RMI. No matter what aircraft I fly, if it's got an RMI, staying on course by reference to instruments beats the mini-map, IMHO. Any possibility of a Jug pit with an RMI down the road?

[ShadowGravy]

Poncho,

Diablo is correct on all counts. The P-47D-40 was the final 'D' variant. Production ended when the Army concluded that the war in Europe was all but already won and it decided to prepare for the imminent assault on the Japanese mainland. I don't have a specific date but sometime in early 1945 both of Republic Aviation's plants had become fully dedicated to producing P-47Ns.

The P-47M was a specialized Thunderbolt; with a cruising speed of 360 mph and a max speed of 475 mph at 32,000 feet it was the fastest of all the P-47s (fifty mph faster than late model P-47Ds). Some textbooks say that it was 'hot rodded' to chase V-1 buzz bombs but if this is true the first P-47M arrived in England too late to fill this role. The original three prototypes developed on production P-47D-27 airframes and the first operational models were delivered in early 1945. The P-47M owed its tremendous performance to the Pratt and Whitney R-2800-57 C-series engine and CH-5 turbo supercharger, a combination that could produce up to 2800 hp. A total of 130 P-47M models were produced. Operationally they were only assigned to the 56th Fighter Group.

Col. Francis Grabreski later wrote of the P-47M:
"With constant improvement in the R-2800 engine, the last P-47 model used in Europe was the P-47M. It was the best fighter in the E.T.O. With an increase in power to 2,500 horsepower and considerably lighter, it was a pilot's dream."

As Diablo said, the first P-47M aircraft did not include weapons pylons. These seemed to have been quickly added in the field and possibly became a standard feature in production. Early models also did not have dorsal fins but these also were added in the field. Photographic evidence suggests that at least some P-47Ms had the larger dorsal fin that was standard on the P-47N.

The P-47N was essentially designed for the Pacific and was intended to escort B-29s on extremely long range missions. In addition to the P&W 'C' series engine that had already been put into use with the P-47M, Republic added more internal fuel capacity by putting fuel cells in the wings. This gave the P-47N a total of 570 gallons internal fuel; an additional 700 gallons could be carried in external tanks. During the P-47N's prototype stage the Army had envisioned 1,300 mile missions lasting more than 12 hours; one operational pilot recounted an 8+hour mission that, with careful fuel management, covered more than 1,700 miles. Such missions obviously tested the physical endurance of fighter pilots.

Accordingly, several improvements to the P-47N were introduced to increase the pilot's comfort. The rudder pedals were redesigned so that the pilot could periodically stretch his legs. Starting with the P-47N-2 an autopilot system was installed. Armrests were added in a later block of the series. The aircraft was given an automatic engine control system (to maintain the correct boost to throttle relationship) with the P-47N-25.

A total of 1,816 P-47N models were produced; the end of the war caused the Army to cancel its order for hundreds more. The last model, a P-47N-25, was produced and delivered sometime between October and December, 1945.

[FA_Diablo]

Great info. SG. Alot of that I didn't know or had forgot. see why I want an N model? LOL Look out Pacific wars if we had that. And not even a TA could handle an M model if we had it....well with a competent pilot at the stick that is.

[Murph]

I sounds as though there were a LOT more P47Ms than TA152s, DO335s, etc., and yet it's not included? (Yet)

[FA_Diablo]

I sounds as though there were a LOT more P47Ms than TA152s, DO335s, etc., and yet it's not included? (Yet)

Does make you kinda wonder why Oleg never gave us a true M model. Maybe play balance would ahve been skewed too much toward jug jocks? An M model would definately own high altitude. . I do very well now in the D-Late above 20,000 ft. I can jsut imagine taking on TA's and Dora's in an M.

[taurus]

I need to finalise the panel texture but I have not found any reference to the placard as indicated. If anyone could verify the text within the next day or two it would be greatly appreciated. Please bear in mind that it will more than likely be unreadable in game but at least it will be correct in content, colour and proportion.



Thanks.

[Tonin]

Taurus, this may be the scripting but I'm not quite sure :

SERVICE THIS AIRPLANE
WITH 100 OCTANE FUEL ONLY
IF NOT AVAILABLE THE NEXT
HIGHER GRADE WILL BE
USED IN EMERGENCY

This is from a P-47D-21 panel reconstitution.

Here's a picture from it :



BLR_Tonin_fr

[Tonin]

[taurus]

Excellent work Tonin! Many thanks!

[ShadowGravy]

OT, Sort of ...

Someday, eventually, I plan to fly around the FS9/FSX world in a P-47N. I thought it would be fun to Blog my journey and make virtual friends along the way. That seems like a winter project though ...

Anyhow, I opened a MySpace account with this adventure in mind and I started building a profile page last night. As I played around with the layout it sort of became a full-fledged Thunderbolt tribute site. I'll probably just keep adding scans from manuals for the time being, so if you enjoy reading Pilot Flight Notes and looking at cockpit photos, feel free to stop by:
http://www.myspace.com/simboltpilot

(And I'm stealing that panel photo, Tonin. :twisted:

[Tonin]

Crap ! I forgot the copyright inscription... ! No royalties now... loool

BTW, nice MySpace account...
For your world project, this sure be difficult, Airbus is now bumped-off from the american market for the refueling planes... You'll have to deal with Boeing... ha ha ha what a nice way to waste some fancy 100 octane fuel !!! :twisted:

[taurus]

Preping some panel textures. If there are some OHNOZ! let us know, changes to be made marked in red.



Cheers,

Taurus.

[Tonin]

Very nice.