The movie "Red Tails"

[Dwayne From Minden]

True. I believe the problem with the P-47 was that it was not as fuel efficient as the P-51 and had to leave the bombers unescorted for the last part of those long missions into Germany. The P-51 could make the whole run with the bombers when using external drop tanks which helped to reduce bomber losses to enemy fighters.

Correct -

But the fact remains the Red Tails first earned their stripes in the P-47's which makes their accomplishments even that more outstanding

[WWDog]

I'll have to research that, good question. My quick facts is not clear on the stats. Not sure why.

The F-16 Falcon is not really an air-to-air fighter. It's role has been close ground support. I'm sure it has had to engage in some "dogfights" though. Seem to remember a few from the 1991 Gulf War.

Back in the early 90's the big mouth F-16s out of Spandahlem gave the Bitburg F-15s all they could handle!

[dawg80]

Correct -

But the fact remains the Red Tails first earned their stripes in the P-47's which makes their accomplishments even that more outstanding

My dad was a big fan of the P-47. Called it a "work horse." A plane that could take a licking, and keep on ticking. It was a very good fighter. It's ONLY drawback being it's lack of range, as has been mentioned. And it was hell on German equipment: trucks, tanks, trains....

[JuBru]

Just sitting in the cockpit of a Mustang without it running is awesome. Closet thing to heaven with it running.

[dawg80]

The most common version used was the P-47D. Top speed of 450 mph, operational ceiling 43,000 feet. Weighed 8 tons when fully loaded with ammo and fuel. Could achieve speeds close to 600 mph in dives.

Had a tough go in combat, with 3,750 kills, but 3,490 losses. Not a good ratio.

But, as Colonel Gabby Gabreski said, "You can say what you want about the marvelous Mustang, but it was the Thunderbolt that broke the back of the Luftwaffe during the critical period, spring of 1944."

The final version, P-47N, had an operational range of 2,000 miles, and with its new turbocharged engine, had a top speed of 485 mph, operational ceiling of 48,000 feet, and was nicknamed the "Superbolt" by the pilots that flew it.

The P-47 could out-perform ANY WWII aircraft (except the P-51) above 25,000 feet. It's powerful engine was able to overcome the thinner air at high altitudes.

[dawg80]

[dawg80]

Check this out, now you know why the Krauts hated to see clear skies, and the T-bolts out on missions:

[WWDog]

Out F****** Standing Dawg80!

[ddgravy]

The best thread ever. WTG Dawg80

[Dwayne From Minden]

I'm a Military Channel junkie...

[hoppinmad]

Check this out, now you know why the Krauts hated to see clear skies, and the T-bolts out on missions:

Somehow I lost track of this thread...great tape D80.... love to hear those old radials idle. There's an old guy in and around Blanchard/N. Shreve. that used to or still does rebuild those engines (for crop dusters, etc)..... plus he'd shoot the breeze with you in his machine shop too. I'm trying to remember his name but he lives on a road that runs between Hwy 1 and the KCS engine repair shop on the west side ..... he's on the north side of that road and his shop is behind his house. Good guy, hope he's still living.

[DallasDog]

Sorry I came to this thread a little late but don't discount the Vought F4U Cosair. I seem to remember stats of somewhere around 10:1 kill ratio in the Pacific by the end of the war.

I do remember it was the longest running piston fighter produced, something like 1941 or 42 until 53. I knew a man who flew one in korea against the YAK-9/18's and as he told it one very stressful run in with a MIG-15. He said they were mainly ground support by that point.

You guys probably knew Mr. Bordelon..... I got to know him when I was at Tech and worked with the Seniors FIT program over at the Nat.

Only Navy ace in Korea and did it in the Cosair.

[dawg80]

Loved this TV show:



And, my Dad was a radio operator in the Solomons and communicated with Pappy Boyington every time they went up the slot.

[Dawgpix]

Loved this TV show:


And, my Dad was a radio operator in the Solomons and communicated with Pappy Boyington every time they went up the slot.

That is so cool.

[DallasDog]

black sheep squadron... great show