Remember, when you start flying it, that the P47 was a strong airframe, but it was NOT invincible, and it was no match for the armament of a mid-late war RVG aircraft. By 'strong airframe', you can take probably 5-6 20mm hits, if your lucky, but a concentrated, even short burst on any one point of the a/c will bring it down.
'...Then suddenly four other peculiar looking single engine aircraft dive past. They have the white star and broad white stripes as wing markings. Blast! They are Thunderbolts. I have not seen them before.
I immediately dive down after them. They swing round in a steep spiral heading for a lone Flying Fortress whose two outside engines have stopped. There is a Messerschmitt on its tail: it is Reinhard.
The bloody fool has eyes only for his fat bomber, and is unaware of the enemy fighters coming up behind.
"Reinhard, Reinhard, wake up! Thunderbolts behind!"
Reinhard does not reply, but keeps on calmly blazing away at his Fortress. I go flat out after the thunderbolts. The first of them now opens fire on my wingman. The latter just keeps firing at his victim.
But now the leading thunderbolt is a perfect target in my sights. A single burst of fire from my guns is all that is needed. It bursts into flames and goes down spinning like a dead leaf into the depths below. It is my second kill today. ...'
