Dora Wings 1/48 Republic P-47C-2 Thunderbolt Razorback # 48055

The P-47C-2 Thunderbolt was an early variant of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a powerful American fighter aircraft used during World War II.

Introduced in 1943, the P-47C-2 was part of the initial production run of the Thunderbolt series, which was known for its rugged design and formidable firepower.

It was primarily designed for escorting bombers and ground attack missions.

The P-47C-2 featured a radial Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, which gave it impressive performance, with a top speed of around 433 mph (697 km/h) at high altitude.

Its long-range capabilities were enhanced by the addition of an external belly fuel tank, which increased its operational range.

Key design aspects of the P-47C-2 included its heavy armament of eight .50 caliber machine guns, making it highly effective in both dogfights and strafing runs against ground targets.

The airframe was large and heavily armored, which, along with its power, earned it the nickname “Jug” for its juggernaut-like toughness.

The aircraft also had a high-altitude performance due to a turbo-supercharger system, making it a formidable opponent in the skies over Europe.

However, the P-47C-2's early variants had limitations, such as issues with the tail design, which caused instability.

These problems were addressed in later versions, but the C-2 was a key step in refining the aircraft into one of the war’s most effective fighters.