Why is the P-47 Thunderbolt so Big Compared to its Counterparts?

This aircraft was not really my favorite, but I just loved how it looked. This is no less than the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, otherwise known as “The Jug”. And yes if you will look at the P-47, the plane seemed so big compared to its other WWII fighter counterparts like the P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, Messerschmitt BF109, Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Focke-Wulf Fw190A. But given its huge size, this plane was deadly, especially in the hands of skilled pilots.

The P-47’s massive size was necessitated by the need to accommodate an array of advanced features and powerful components, distinguishing it from its contemporaries. Central to the P-47’s design was the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, an 18-cylinder, double-row, 2800 cubic inch, air-cooled, radial turbo-supercharged powerhouse. This engine, producing between 2,200 and 2,800 horsepower, was the most powerful fighter engine of WWII. Remarkably, it achieved one horsepower per cubic inch, a feat incredible for a ’30s air-cooled radial design. The R-2800 was also renowned for its durability, capable of surviving severe damage and still bringing pilots safely home.

Advanced Design and Unmatched Capabilities

The P-47’s design incorporated a massive GE turbo-supercharger, effectively utilizing the thin air at high altitudes, making the Thunderbolt the premier high-altitude fighter of WWII. This turbo-supercharger occupied the fuselage from nearly tail to nose, providing additional protection for the pilot and vital systems, contributing to the P-47’s reputation as a highly survivable ground attack aircraft.

The Thunderbolt boasted features that were advanced for its time and even for post-war designs. These included variable, well-heated gun and ammo bays, electronic fuel indicator gauges, and a spacious, comfortable cockpit with exceptional visibility and heating. Such visibility was crucial, as most WWII pilots were shot down without ever seeing their attacker.

The cockpit of the P-47 was increasingly sophisticated, automating many features and reducing the complexity of managing boost, throttle, propeller pitch, and mixture controls. By the war’s end, it was equipped with rearward radar, a homing radio, and an autopilot. The cockpit was protected by face-hardened armor plate and bullet-resistant glass, ensuring the pilot’s safety.

Size for Survival and Versatility

The P-47’s size allowed for duplication of vital systems, a feature smaller fighters could not accommodate. This included flaps, controls, and even a duplicate fuel system in the N model. The aircraft also featured electric dive flaps, making it the fastest piston-powered diver of the war, and could carry large internal and external fuel tanks, as well as up to 3000 lbs of bombs and rockets.

Costing $83,000, the P-47 was the most expensive single-engine fighter of its time, yet it became the workhorse of American WWII airpower. It flew over 746,000 combat missions, more than the P-38, P-40, and P-51 combined. Its size was integral to having the best survival record of any fighter in WWII, with top-quality materials and construction that could withstand repeated hits from German 20–30mm HE “mine shell” rounds.

The P-47 Thunderbolt’s immense size was a direct response to its ambitious design goals and the demanding requirements of WWII aerial combat. It was a plane built around power, advanced technology, and the need for durability and versatility.