24.07.2008, 02:22
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.
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.