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.htmlP-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.htmlTest flight performance data for the P-47C-5RE here (very interesting!):
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-47/p-47c-8thaf-tactical.htmlDetails on production blocks here:
http://www.368thfightergroup.com/P-47-2.htmlP-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.htmlP-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.htmlP-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.