[VC-81_BOLTER]

When we fly high altitude bombing in the AAA server at 25,000 feet lots of potential adversaries come on up to challenge us. But no matter what aircraft they choose the Thunderbolt is king. It retains its energy state better than any other fighter and accelerates faster as well. Its roll rate is phenomanal and without WEP it cruises easily at 450 MPH TAS. Dive one on a target and watch as the Jug quickly goes to 600 or more! No other fighter can do this. They all see parts fall off in the mid 500 range. If you stay really high (read: lower atmospheric pressures) the Jug can get above 700 MPH TAS in a dive.

Watching from my B-29 I can see the contrails like waveform in the sky from above. Then co-alt then below and finally up again. All never below 400 MPH TAS.

40,000 feet in a P-47? No problem. Wheather anyone will try and come up? Doubtful. Will your bombers retrun safe? Most assuredly...

So in summation: if you're one of the instant gratification crowd, or all you want is a qucik dogfight then avoid the P-47. However if you want full realism and historical accuracy? Take a THUNDERBOLT to high altitude and be the KING.