Republic's P-47 Thunderbolt: From Seversky to Victory

From idea too last production model, this book covers it all. A MUST HAVE for all P-47 fans. Will either complement or complete anyones -47 library. All the variants are covered, and all the hard to find details and facts are in this well planned and well written book, very pleased I purchased this.

AWESOME all around

This 1994 book has been on my list for some time. Very fair price, accurate assessment of condition, and glad to see the $ go hypos worthy cause.

Graet historical information

Painstakingly thorough and comprehensive. The best single resource on the P-47.

Before he gets to the outstanding ground attack Jabos of WW II, and even before the rugged bomber escort, there were various radial-engine P-35, 36 & 43 models. As the Army Air Corps gradually refined its' proposals to specify a turbo-supercharged and heavily armed interceptor, designers pushed engine and airframes to perform.Among the chatty text, there are historic photos tracing development until p. 108, when aluminum condensed into the shape of a P-47. (However, do not skip the color sideviews on pp 84-93, or the color album on 149-190.) At the end of the depression, there was doubt that the old manufacturer would stay in business, and there were major changes in management. As war raged in Europe, the XP-47B (prototype) were joined by YP-47B (development) models. In the factory, production specialists started to crank up efficient production- necessary after Pearl Harbor and sudden military orders.You will like the pictures of competitive fighters (some merely one-off prototypes) like Curtiss P-36C, Grumman F6F-3, or the GM-Fisher XP-75; compare those to the combat-proven British Typhoons or German Fw 190s- all of which went through engine development problems.Finally, on p. 191, titled 'The Battle is Joined', you see the Jug in action. Accompanied by lots of detail concerning drop tanks, markings, crews and damaged airplanes, this is when you thought the P-47 came on the scene. Lots of test ship photos as they developed 'paddle blade' propellers, bubble canopies and underwing stores.The Jug had a post-war career with National Guard units- too bad they were not sent to the Korean War where ground attack was so vital.Appendices cover Manufacturer Serial Number data, those sent to RAF, and all units flying Republic planes. Following is a model-by-model spec sheet and picture and glossary.See also:  P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Eighth Air Force (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 24) , Thunderbolt, The P-47 , Thunderbolt, The Republic P-47 in the Pacific Theater - Aircraft Specials series (6079) .

This thoroughly researched book traces the industrial/developement history of the P-47 and its Seversky predecessors. The author gives very interesting insight on the decision making process within the Air Force and the industry. Of course such a detailled book about the development and technical aspects of the P-47 precludes the author from going in depth in the operationnal history of the type, but that's what most other books about the "Jug" are covering. Especially foreign service of the type is lacking, a trait typical of most american authors. To help prospective buyers, I would compare this excellent work about the P-47 with an 1980 book about the P-51 by former 8th AF ace Leonard "Kit" Carson, titled Pursue and Destroy. M. Bodie has also written a very good book about the P-38. Paper quality and photo reproduction are excellent. To sum up, if you're interested in the P-47, buy this book.