P-47 Thunderbolt Union Jack Rocks Glass

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The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, one of the heaviest and most rugged single-engine fighters of WWII, was operated in limited numbers by the RAF and briefly evaluated by the RAAF. The RAF received approximately 240 P-47D Thunderbolts under Lend-Lease from 1944 onward, designating them Thunderbolt Mk I (P-47D-22) and Mk II (P-47D-25 and later).

RAF Thunderbolts were primarily used in South East Asia Command (SEAC), notably by No. 30, 79, 134, 258, 261, and 146 Squadrons. They replaced older Hurricanes and were well-suited to ground attack and fighter-bomber roles over Burma and India. The P-47’s durability, heavy armament (eight .50 cal machine guns), and resistance to battle damage made it ideal for these harsh environments. It was used for close air support, interdiction, and escort missions. RAF pilots valued the Thunderbolt's speed in a dive, reliability, and ruggedness, though it was less agile than Japanese opponents like the Ki-43.