Being designed as a dedicated interceptor, the P-47M was by far the fastest Thunderbolt with a top speed of 761 km/h at 32.000ft. Right from the start, the P-47M were suffering from severe engine problems resulting in the entire fleet being grounded. Hence USAAF aircrews dubbed the P-47M "Hangar Queen". It wasn't until the final weeks of WW2 when the P-47M went airborne again to participate in combat operations of the 56th FG.
After the teething problems had been solved, the "M" proved to be a deadly opponent for the latest German aircraft designs. Especially for the Me 262 - all 56th FG aerial victories againts Me 262 were scored by P-47M.
Republic P-47M-1RE, 63rd FS, 56th FG. Boxted, Essex (UK)
TAMIYA 1/48
Built straight out of the box and finished using TAMIYA acrylics based on colour photographs.
Erik
