Canadian Warplanes 3: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt flown by Canadians in RAF service

Republic P-47 Thunderbolts flown by Canadians in RAF service

(RAF Photo)

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Mk. I & II flown in the Far East by Canadians in RAF service. Six RCAF pilots were KIA or KIFA flying Thunderbolts in the RAF, (Serial Nos. FL842, HB977, HD163, HD217, KJ263, and KL174.

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a Second World War-era fighter aircraft produced by the American aerospace company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns, and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack role it could carry five-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 lb (1,100 kg). When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to eight tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war. The Thunderbolt was effective as a short-to medium-range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and ground attack in both the European and Pacific theatres. The P-47 was designed around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial engine which also powered two U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps fighters, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair. An advanced turbo-supercharger system ensured the aircraft's eventual dominance at high-altitude, while also influencing its size and design.

The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and also served with other Allied air forces, including those of France, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the USAAF also flew the P-47.

The armored cockpit was relatively roomy and comfortable and the bubble canopy introduced on the P-47D offered good visibility. Nicknamed the "Jug" owing to its appearance if stood on its nose, the P-47 was noted for its firepower, as well as its ability to resist battle damage and remain airworthy. (Wikipedia)

Canadian Aircraft Losses (6). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian casualties in the RAF during the Second World War may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

(RAF Photo)

(RAF Photo)

(RAF Photo)

(RAF Photo)

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Mk. I & II flown in the Far East by Canadians in RAF service.

(RAF Photo)

The Royal Air Force was supplied with a total of 830 P-47Ds. In RAF service, the “razorback” P-47D was known as the Thunderbolt I and the “bubble canopy” P-47D was known as Thunderbolt II. Thunderbolt Is were delivered in two batches–serials FL731 to FL850 and HB962 to HD181. They were delivered to the RAF from the P-47D-22-RE production blocks. The “bubble-topped” Thunderbolt II fighters were from the P-47D-25/-30-RE and the P-47D-30/-40-RA production blocks, and four main batches were delivered–serials HD182 to HD301, KJ128 to KJ367, KL168 to KL347, and KL838 to KL976. A few aircraft in the last two batches were equipped with the dorsal fin strake.

The RAF Thunderbolts were evaluated in Europe, but most of them were shipped to SEAC, where they fought against the Japanese. The following RAF squadrons — 5, 30, 79, 123, 134, 135 , 146, 258 and 261  Squadrons in 1944, and the 34, 42 (Renumbered from 146), 60, 81 (Renumbered from 123), 113, 131 and 615 Squadrons in 1945. However, many of these late arrivals were not in time to see any action and some like 615 were short lived.

Following V-J Day, most of the Thunderbolts rapidly disappeared from RAF squadrons, which were either disbanded or were reequipped with British-built aircraft. The last RAF squadron (No 60) disposed of their Thunderbolts in October of 1946. (Joe Baugher)

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The Royal Air Force was supplied with a total of 830 P-47Ds. In RAF service, the “razorback” P-47D was known as the Thunderbolt I and the “bubble canopy” P-47D was known as Thunderbolt II. Thunderbolt Is were delivered in two batches–serials FL731 to FL850 and HB962 to HD181. They were delivered to the RAF from the P-47D-22-RE production blocks. The “bubble-topped” Thunderbolt II fighters were from the P-47D-25/-30-RE and the P-47D-30/-40-RA production blocks, and four main batches were delivered–serials HD182 to HD301, KJ128 to KJ367, KL168 to KL347, and KL838 to KL976. A few aircraft in the last two batches were equipped with the dorsal fin strake.

The RAF Thunderbolts were evaluated in Europe, but most of them were shipped to SEAC, where they fought against the Japanese. The following RAF squadrons — 5, 30, 79, 123, 134, 135 , 146, 258 and 261  Squadrons in 1944, and the 34, 42 (Renumbered from 146), 60, 81 (Renumbered from 123), 113, 131 and 615 Squadrons in 1945. However, many of these late arrivals were not in time to see any action and some like 615 were short lived.

Following V-J Day, most of the Thunderbolts rapidly disappeared from RAF squadrons, which were either disbanded or were reequipped with British-built aircraft. The last RAF squadron (No 60) disposed of their Thunderbolts in October of 1946.

RAF Thunderbolt Serial Nos. 919 Records (Last 89 Not delivered – Total on Charge – 830)FL Series : 120HB Series : 38HD Series : 202KJ Series : 240KL Series : 319(KL888-KL976 not delivered)

(DND Photo, PL 41204)

WO R.E. Amey, flies in an RAF Thunderbolt squadron operating from a forward airfield on the Burma front. Designed as a high-altitude escort fighter. The “T-Box” was also formidable as a dive-bomber and low level strafing fighter. No. 79 Squadron RAF, Dec 1944.