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Author Topic: More P-47 Variants...  (Read 17402 times)

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Dangerousbuzz934

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More P-47 Variants...
« on: August 22, 2011, 04:13:10 PM »

Republic P-47 C/Curtiss P-47 G

Production changes gradually addressed the problems, and on the balance, with experience the USAAF decided that the P-47 was worthwhile, quickly following the initial order for P-47Bs for 602 more examples of a refined type, the "P-47C", with the first of the variant delivered in September 1942. The initial P-47Cs were very similar to the P-47B, but had strengthened all-metal control surfaces, a stronger tail, a short vertical radio mast, and other tweaky changes.

After the initial manufacture of a block of 57 P-47Cs, production moved to the "P-47C-1", which had a 20 centimeter (8 inch) fuselage extension forward of the cockpit. This corrected center of gravity problems and improved service access to the engine. There were a number of other minor changes. 55 P-47C-1s were built, to be followed by 128 "P-47C-2s", which were identical except for a belly attachment point for either a 225 kilogram (500 pound) bomb or, more generally, a 758 liter (200 US gallon) conformal belly ferry tank. The P-47C-2 was really the first combat-ready Thunderbolt.

The main production P-47C subvariant was the "P-47C-5", featuring a whip antenna replacing the mast antenna, plus cockpit heating and other small changes. 362 were built. The P-47C-2 and P-47C-5 were the first Thunderbolts to be sent overseas for combat operations. P-47G's were identical a P-47C-2 = P-47G-2.





Republic P-47 H

Two XP-47Hs were built. They were major reworkings of existing razorback P-47Ds to accommodate a Chrysler IV-2220-11 water-cooled 16-cylinder inverted vee engine. However, such large inline engines did not prove to be especially effective.

Top speed:414 MPH/667 Kph
Service Ceiling: 36,000ft
Range: 1000 miles





Republic P-47 J

The XP-47J began as a November 1942 request to Republic for a high-performance version of the Thunderbolt using a lighter airframe and an uprated engine with water injection and fan cooling. Kartveli designed an aircraft fitted with a tight-cowled Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57(C) with a war emergency rating of 2,800 hp (2,090 kW), reduced armament of six 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, a new and lighter wing, and many other changes. The only XP-47J was first flown in late November 1943. When fitted with a GE CH-5 turbosupercharger, the XP-47J achieved a top speed of 505 mph (440 kn, 813 km/h) in level flight in August 1944, making it one of the fastest piston engine fighters ever built. However, by that time Republic had moved on to a new concept, the XP-72.





Republic P-47 M

The P-47M was a more conservative attempt to come up with a higher-performance ("Sprint") version of the Thunderbolt, seeking parity with the newly introduced German jet aircraft and V-1 flying bombs. Four P-47D-27-RE airframes (s/n 42-27385 / 42-27388) were modified into prototype YP-47Ms by fitting the R-2800-57(C) engine and the GE CH-5 turbo-supercharger, a combination which could produce 2,800 hp (2,089 kW) at 32,500 ft (9,900 m) when using Wartime Emergency Power (water injection). Air brakes were added to the wing's lower surfaces to allow braking after a dive onto its prey. The YP-47M had a top speed of 473 mph (410 kn, 761 km/h) and it was put into limited production with 130 (sufficient for one group) built. However, the type suffered serious teething problems in the field due to the highly tuned engine. Engines were unable to reach operating temperatures and power settings and frequently failed in early flights from a variety of causes: ignition harnesses cracked at high altitudes, severing electrical connections between the magneto and distributor, and carburetor valve diaphragms also failed. Persistent oil tank ruptures in replacement engines were found to be the result of inadequate protection against salt water corrosion during transshipment. In the end it was simply errors made by the R-2800-57(C) model engine's manufacturers which led to these issues with the P-47M. By the time the bugs were worked out, the war in Europe was nearly over. However, P-47Ms still destroyed 15 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, normal results for any fighter type in March–May 1945 when aerial encounters with the Luftwaffe were rare. The entire production total of 130 P-47Ms were delivered to the 56th Fighter Group, and were responsible for all seven of that group's jet shoot-downs. Twelve were lost in operational crashes with the 56th Group resulting in 11 deaths, two after VE Day, and two (44-21134 on 13 April 1945 and 44-21230 on 16 April 1945) were shot down in combat, both by ground fire.

The second YP-47M (of the batch of four converted P-47Ds) was later fitted with new wings and served as the prototype for the P-47N.





Republic P-47 N

The P-47N was the last Thunderbolt variant to be produced. It was designed as an escort fighter for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress bombers flying raids on the Japanese home islands. Increased internal fuel capacity and drop tanks had done much to extend the Thunderbolt's range during its evolution, and the only other way to expand the fuel capacity was to put fuel tanks into the wings. Thus, a new wing was designed with two 50 U.S. gal (190 l) fuel tanks. The second YP-47N with this wing flew in September 1944. The redesign proved successful in extending range to about 2,000 mi (3,200 km), and the squared-off wingtips improved the roll rate. The P-47N entered mass production with the uprated R-2800-77(C) engine, with a total of 1,816 built.

The very last Thunderbolt to be built, a P-47N-25, rolled off the production line in October 1945. Thousands more had been on order, but production was halted with the end of the war in August. At the end of production, a Thunderbolt cost $83,000 in 1945 U.S. dollars. A total of 15,686 Thunderbolts of all types were built, making it second most produced American fighter of all time—after the 16,766 P-51 Mustangs. Due to continued postwar service with U.S. military (including the ANG) and foreign operators, a number of P-47s have survived to the present day, and a few are still flying.

Performance
  Range:   800 miles   1,288 km
  Cruise Speed:   300 mph   483 km/h   
  Max Speed:   467 mph   752 km/h   
  Ceiling:   43,000 ft   13,106 m



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Kazegami

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2011, 05:54:46 PM »

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Dangerousbuzz934

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2011, 06:37:51 AM »

But i love the P-47
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Dangerousbuzz934

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2011, 04:18:03 PM »

its a P-47 on the inside dont judge planes by there looks
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Pursuivant

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2011, 06:35:57 PM »

The P-47C variants, especially the P-47C-5, are historically important since they were the first P-47s to see combat. Externally, they conform very closely to the early block P-47Ds. In terms of performance, they're slightly inferior. This was the variant of P-47 that prompted the American ace, Lt. Col. Don Blakeslee to say, "It ought to be able to dive, it certainly can't climb!" There are also a number of later variants still missing from the game.

P-47B: Variants weren't considered to be combat ready. There were a number of problems which had yet to be worked out. Fuselage was 8" shorter than later C and D variants, so CG was slightly off, meaning poorer maneuverability. No provision for carrying drop tanks or bombs. No "Paddle Blade" propeller, so inferior speed and climbing performance, control surfaces were vulnerable to fluttering or locking up at high speeds. B-1 and B-15 variants are available as mods (although I don't believe that their fuselage has been shortened).

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-21
Horsepower: 2000
Max Speed: 429 mph at 27,800ft
Ceiling: 42,000ft
Span: 40ft 9.25in
Length: 35ft 4in
Range: 550 miles at 25,000ft, 835 miles at 10,000ft

P-47C: Strengthened all-metal control surfaces (i.e., better high speed performance, slightly harder to damage),  upgraded turbosupercharger regulator, and a short vertical radio mast. Otherwise similar to the P-47B-15. No emergency war boost. These weren't considered combat ready. 57 produced.

P-47C-1: Visually identical to the early P-47D blocks (i.e., "razorback" fuselage) due fuselage extension. Slight improvements to oil cooler exhaust (slightly better overheating or top speed vs. the B models?), fixes to brakes (better braking vs. B?), fixes to undercarriage (less likely to fail - but that's not modeled in the game), and redesigned rudder and elevator balance (better control sensitivity, slightly better maneuverability?). Otherwise like the P-47C. 55 built.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-21
Horsepower: 2000
Max Speed: 433 mph at 30,000ft
Ceiling: 42,000ft
Span: 40ft 9.25in
Length: 36ft 1in
Range: 400 miles at 25,000ft, 835 miles at 10,000ft

  http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-47B.html

P-47C-2: As above, but centerline hardpoint for 500 lb. bomb or 205 U.S. gallon external (undroppable) fuel tank. Unreliable radios. Saw combat with 4th, 56th and 78th Fighter Groups from bases in England. 128 built.

P-47C-5RE: As above, but R-2800-59 engine with water-methanol injection (WEP of 2,300 hp (1,716 kW)). Mast antenna replace with whip antenna, so externally identical to stock P-47D-5 model. More reliable British radio replaced American equipment. Field modifications gave the plane a bulged keel, allowing the external tank to be dropped. Pressurized drop tanks allowed extended range, starting on 30 July 1943 (a raid on Kassel, Germany). This was the first P-47 variant to see combat in large numbers. 362 built.

  http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-47C.html

Test flight performance data for the P-47C-5RE here (very interesting!):

  http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-47/p-47c-8thaf-tactical.html

Details on production blocks here:

  http://www.368thfightergroup.com/P-47-2.html

P-47D-RA: Identical to P-47C-2. 110 built. (Note: RA designation indicated planes built at Republic's Evansville, IN plant, as opposed to their Buffalo, NY or Farmingdale, NY locations, which carried the RE designation.)

P-47D-1-RE: Extra engine cowl flaps added for improved airflow around the engine, so improve engine cooling. 105 built.

P-47D-2 (-RE and –RA): Turbocharger shroud removed. Otherwise identical to D-1 variant.

P-47D-3-RA: Trivial changes to D-2.

P-47D-4-RA: Virtually identical to D-5 variant, but with less effective turbocharger performance. 200 built (D-3 and D-4 variants).

P-47D-5-RE: Fitted with GE C-21 supercharger and regulator, with provision for water injection, allowing for short periods of increased power. Centerline keel for carrying 500 lb. bomb or drop tank became factory standard.
300 built.

P-47D-6-RE: Minor changes to electrical system. 350 built.

P-47D-10-RE: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-63 engine (2,300 hp). Modeled in game. 250 built.

P-47D-11 (-RE and –RA): Electrically-powered water pump linked to the throttle, so no need to toggle WEP. 650 were built.

P-47D-15 (-RE, -RA): Stronger wings and under-wing pylons. Could carry two 108 U.S. gallon drop tanks, or up to 2,500 lbs. of bombs and/or rockets (launched from triple "bazooka tube" style racks). 653 built.

P-47D-16 (RE and RA): As above, but minor changes to fuel system. 283 built.

P-47D-20 (RE and RA): Fitted with "universal wing" allowing for quick switches between different payloads. Slightly different underwing pylons. 487 built.

P-47D-21 (RE and RA): Identical to D-20 except that a button on the throttle controlled water injection system. 487 built.

P-47D-22-RE (Farmingdale production): D-22-RE built at the Farmingdale plant were fitted with the Hamilton Standard Hydramatic 244E50-65 propeller, which had wider, longer propeller blades, allowing for improved aircraft performance. Modeled in the game, but no indication if performance is based on Hamilton Standard or Curtiss Electric propellor. 850 built.

P-47D-23-RA: Fitted with the Curtis Electric C542S propeller of similar size and performance to the Hamilton model used on the D-22. 889 built.

P-47D-25-RE: First bubbletop canopy production block. Internal fuel capacity increased to 370 gallons. The lack of the "razorback" fuselage resulted in poorer stability. Modeled in game. 385 built.

P-47D-26-RA: Virtually identical to the D-25. 250 built.

P-47D-27-RE: Identical to D-25, but water injection system gave 130 HP WEP boost. Modeled in the game. 615 built.

P-47D-28: Identical to D-27, but with the Curtiss Electric C542S propeller. Minor cockpit changes, including a radio compass. Second largest single production block. 1,778 were built.

P-47D-30 (RE and RA): Dive brakes added. Available as mod, but cockpit doesn't include radio compass. 2,600 built.

Engine: R-2800-59
Horsepower: 2000 (2430 in War Emergency setting)
Span: 40ft 9.25in
Length: 36ft 1.76in
Weight: 10,000lb empty, 17,500 max take off
Speed: 428mph at 30,000ft.
Ceiling: 42,000 feet
Range: 1,030 miles at 10,000 feet
Armament: Eight .50 calibre machine guns

P-47D-40-RA: Small dorsal fin added to correct tail flutter problems caused by substituting bubble canopy for razorback fuselage. "Zero-rail" rocket launch stubs fitted, replacing "bazooka tube" launchers. Available as mod, but radio compass in cockpit might not be modeled, nor dorsal fillet. 705 built.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59
Horsepower: 2000 (2430 in War Emergency setting)
Propeller: 13inch diameter Curtis Electric C542S
Span: 40ft 9 5/16in
Length: 36ft 1.75in
Weight: 10,000lb empty, 17,500 max take off
Speed: 426mph at 30,000 feet
Ceiling: 42,000 feet
Range: 1,030 miles at 10,000 feet
Armament: Eight .50 calibre machine guns
Payload: 2500lbs

  http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-47D.html

P-47M: 2,800 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-14W or R-2800-57 engine, with the CH-5 turbo-supercharger allowed for higher speed (473mph at 32,000 feet). Very problematic engines, shorter range than P-47D. This was the "hot rod" version of the P-47 and was nearly as fast as the Me-262. Entered service in early 1945 with 56 Fighter Group. 133 Built.

Engine: P&W R-2800-57 “C-series”
Horsepower: 2,800
Max Speed: 475mph at 32,000 feet
Cruising Speed: 360 mph
Range: 530 miles at 26,000 feet
Ceiling: 41,000 feet
Span: 40ft 9.25in
Length: 36ft 1.75in

  http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-47M.html

P-47N: Redesigned for long-range operations over the Pacific. Wings were 1 ft longer than previous variants. The wing root was expanded by 18 inches, while 6 inches were clipped off each wingtip. Small fuel tanks in wing roots increased fuel capacity by 200 gallons, while the fuselage was lengthened slightly to allow 570 gallon fuel tank. The N variant could also carry larger drop tanks, allowing it to carry up to 1,170 gallons of fuel. Received by the 56th FG in Europe (but the war ended before it went operational) and by the 318th FG on Saipan, which used it in combat. Available as mod.

P7N-1-RE: Increased automation of controls, including some aspects of water injection. 500 built.

N-1
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57 “C-series”
Horsepower: 2,800
Max Speed: 467mph at 32,000ft
Range: 2,200 miles at 25,000ft (with external tanks)
Ceiling: 40,000ft
Span: 42ft 6.8in
Length: 36ft 1.75in

P-47N-5-RE: Fitted with 5 zero-rail rocket launch rails on each wing. AN/APS-13 tail warning radar. Autopilot. Catapult attachment allowing it to be launched from aircraft carriers. 550 built.

P-47N-2-RE: N-1 variants retrofitted with rocket stubs.

P-47N-15-RE: New bomb rack, K-14 gun sight, arm rests on pilot seat (to reduce fatigue on long missions. Available early 1945.

P-47N-20-RE: No autopilot (due to shortages). Backup fuel transfer system installed. Capable of carrying a mixed load on the wings (e.g., bomb on one wing, fuel tank on the other.) 200 built.

P-47N-25-RE: Final production version. Strengthened wings. Improved control system (reduced the complexity of juggling boost, throttle, propeller pitch and mixture controls). Available October 1945.
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Dangerousbuzz934

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2011, 09:01:34 AM »

yet G-H-J prototypes just look WRONG

the G is a C so whats so wrong about it if it looks the same as the other early P-47's
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HundertzehnGustav

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2011, 10:44:53 AM »

whats the point of having two identical aircraft with two different names taking two different slots...
the only difference being that one was built by the republic guys, the other by the folks from Curtiss?

There is no point...
Thats whats wrong about it.
no?
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Cranky.1

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2011, 12:01:10 PM »

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Pursuivant

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2011, 10:14:31 PM »

I would like to see a Malcolm Hood P-47 version

The Malcolm Hood variant on the razorback P-47D appears to be a FM. I could see it being a variant of the P-47D-22 already in the game. Probably not much difference in overall performance, however, and very minor improvements to visibility.

If I had to choose 3 P-47 variants which aren't yet in the game, I'd have to go with the the P-47C-5-RE, P-47D-15 and the P-47M.
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CWMV

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2011, 11:08:40 PM »

Since the N is already nearly released, id say at a minimum can we get the M?
Keeping in mind that slots are getting REALLY tight, and trying to keep it down to the really important aircraft, I mean all we need now with the 47's is the M.
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Pursuivant

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2011, 11:56:50 PM »

Since the N is already nearly released, id say at a minimum can we get the M?
Keeping in mind that slots are getting REALLY tight, and trying to keep it down to the really important aircraft, I mean all we need now with the 47's is the M.

If I had to choose one more P-47 variant. I'd prefer the P-47C-5-RE. It was the variant that made the Thunderbolt's reputation, since it was the first single-engined fighter which could escort bombers deep into Nazi-held territory. Lots of American aces made their initial kills flying this variant of the Jug.

Don't get me wrong, though, the P-47M would be a lot of fun, since it would be a real terror in a B&Z dogfight. But, historically, only 130 were made, it was a temperamental plane, and it had a minimal effect on the course of the war. For a very late war Allied hot-rod, I'd prefer to see the Gloster Meteor.
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CWMV

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Re: More P-47 Variants...
« Reply #11 on: August 28, 2011, 12:36:58 AM »

That may be, but the early D's were identical to the C models. What were the serious, quantitative differences between the your C and the D-10 in game? If the difference is minor then the current D-10 could be used without issue as a C standin, where the M would have a totally different FM than any of the others-fast as hell and unreliable!  :D
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