It's all in the presentation though... no need to try and put down the Spit/N1K (or whatever), they are excellent aircraft and not just for newbies.
Now, to get back on your question, the P-47 you are going to have to develop your "style" of fighting a little more quickly around the characteristics of the P-47 aircraft. In general, this requires that you stay away from TnB type fights at lower speeds and practice a more BnZ style. You simply cannot turn with the majority of aircraft in AH at lower speeds (though higher speeds are fine). Understand that the P-47 is also a poor energy replacement fighter, it is too large and heavy to accelerate or climb quickly. You need to avoid these areas of performance so as to minimize the fact that other aircraft will exploit you. The P-47 does have great weight, excellent high speed handling, good views (P-47D30), and very effective guns. Consider all those factors in any fight and attempt to negate your disadantages through proper preparation (before the fight) and correct maneuvering during the fight.
Specific tricks of the P-47 include the use of maneuvering flaps at key points (but only briefly), mastering vertical maneuvers, snapshot skills, scissors, overshoots (in general) and high speed dive/roll performance.
To give specific maneuvers that will help is difficult as they are very dependant on situation. If you haven't already, take a look at my aircraft pages and they can probably give you some hints:
Soda's Aircraft Help
