To begin, the P-47M was built from P-47D-27-REs pulled right from the production line and fitted with the more powerful "C" series R-2800-57 engine. It was fitted with dive recovery flaps, revised ailerons (improved roll rate by about 20%) and some other details later added to the -30. Originally, they were built without the wing shackles to minimize drag, although these were later added in theater. As for weight, the difference between the M and the D-27 was a matter of a few pounds. It was much lighter than the P-47N, simply because the N had a larger and heavier wing.
One reason so many would love to have the P-47M in AH is it's speed and climb are excellent. About 370 mph on the deck, up to 480 mph at 32k. At 20k, it would be the fastest accelerating fighter in AH, bar none. Climb at sea level should be about 3,700 fpm, with full fuel and ammo. At 50% fuel, it'll approach 3,900 ft/min. Even at 15k, it should still be climbing at 3,400 ft/min with full tanks. If we ever get the P-47M, count on it being perked like the F4U-4.
As it is, we're limited to the P-47D-30-RE for now, but it's no slug.
Prior to tour 37, and even though I've been playing AH for quite some time now, I hadn't flown 20 sorties in the P-47 since I began and virtually all were heavy attack sorties. Towards the end of tour 37 I decided it was time to learn the Jug. So, I flew both the D-11 and D-30 some, gaining experience and learning their strengths and areas of weakness. Since the Jug is a designated fighter for tour 40 (along with the Corsair...), I flew about 10 sorties at the end of tour 39 as a refresher. Results were good at 39/2, with one loss to ground ack and the other being vulched on the rearm pad. So early in this tour, I've only flown two Jug sorties (only three fighter sorties altogether), but managed to get another 5 without loss, all fighters, all air to air.
It took me a little while to learn some of what Ammo and Sancho already know. The P-47D is a monster as long as you manage your E and stay off the deck when enemy hordes are nearby. This is not the fighter to launch for base defense. However, once you have some speed and alt, you can fight and beat anything, inasmuch as you fight to your fighter's strengths and not to the enemy's strengths.
Simply stated, there is no better handling fighter at high speed than the P-47. Unlike the P-51 and even Ta 152, you will have a hard time hurting the Jug during 550 mph pullouts. You can horse the Thunderbolt around at high speeds without fear of breaking it.
At 400+ mph the Jug rolls very well, whereas many fighters are stiffening up, and 109s begin to bog like they're in concrete. Above 25k the P-47 is extremely formidable. At 30k or above, it owns the sky. Although the Ta 152 is very fast up high, any high G maneuvering is dangerous as its wings come off quite easily. Not so the P-47... It rocks up there. At those altitudes, Mustangs tend to wallow at bit, 190s are simply out of breath, and 109s are constantly dealing with compressibility locking up the ailerons. Russian fighters are all but helpless up high, same for the Japanese junk. Spitfire IXs are reasonably fast, but lack the power reserve to cope with the P-47, and in my opinion can no longer out-turn a P-47, even at lower speeds. Damn few AH pilots have significant combat experience at 30k and above. Some guys have never even been above 20k.
Nonetheless, most air combat takes place below 15k, so how does the P-47 manage to cope at these altitudes? It copes just fine, thank you. Just remember to stay fast, work the vertical and use the Jug's dive acceleration and zoom ability.
I'm sure that Ammo and Sancho have specific load-outs they prefer that offer the most performance for the least sacrifice in killing power. I'll offer those I use and others can comment.
Fighter load-out: Typically, I load 50% internal fuel and a single belly tank. I always take 8 guns, full ammo load. If the sortie will cover more than two sectors (there and back). I may load 75% internal and the belly tank. I never, ever take 100% internal fuel. Endurance on 75% is enough for almost any mission, adding external fuel as required. Generally, the belly tank will get me to altitude and reasonably near my objective. A Jug flying with less than 50% gas is far more agile than one plodding along with full tanks. Some guys even opt for 6 guns to improve agility even more. I'd rather have the extra punch though, 'cause if that little increase in agility is what I need to succeed or even survive, I've already screwed up anyway.
Light/medium Jabo load-out: I use this when joining an attack in a base that will probably be partially down when I arrive. I take fuel and guns as above, add two 250 lbs bombs and 10 rockets. This load allows me to deal with GVs and the rockets can be used against anything spawning or the town as required. Two tours ago I killed 6 B-26s on the runway with a single rocket pass. That's why I always take rockets. In addition, the 8 gun load-out is better should you have to vulch spawning aircraft (if vulching is your goal, take a CHog or Tiffie instead).
For heavy Jabo, two 500 or 1,000 pound bombs and 10 rockets are the standard load just about everyone carries. I rarely drag that much to a target as the tactical disadvantage of miserable climb rate means extending the ride duration and often arriving at less than the optimal altitude (18k AGL for me).
Spend some time in the TA flying the Jug against various fighters. Practice at high altitudes too. Then, strive to improve one's SA. That, more than any other factor, will determine how well you do, regardless of what you elect to fly. Knowing where every actual and potential threat is, its altitude and E state is paramount to success in the MA. That means keeping one's head on a perpetual swivel and checking the DAR every few minutes at the least. The goal is never to be surprised. If you've recently uttered the words, "something just killed me!", your SA needs work.
How does this relate to the P-47? Well, if you have a good understanding on how to exploit the airplane, combined with superior SA, you will be a terror to any enemy you encounter.
My regards,
Widewing
