Nicknamed the "Jug" for its bulky shape, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was considered a monster of a machine. Despite its size, the Thunderbolt proved to be a fast and maneuverable warbird able to hold its own in combat. In fact, when Allied pilots climbed aboard a P-47, they knew the were in control of a fighting machine with enormous power. More importantly, they knew that if their aircraft was hit but gunfire, they had an excellent chance of making it home.

The P-47M was a more conservative attempt to come up with a higher-performance ("Sprint") version of the Thunderbolt, designed to chase V-1 flying bombs, done, in part, by reducing armament from eight .50-caliber Colt-Browning M2 machine guns to six. In September 1944, four P-47D-27-RE airframes (42-27385/27388) were modified into prototype YP-47Ms by fitting the R-2800-57 engine and the GE CH-5 turbo-supercharger, a combination which could produce 2,800 hp (2,089 kW) at 32,500 ft (9,900 m) when using Wartime Emergency Power (water injection). Air brakes were added to the wing's lower surfaces to allow braking after a dive onto its prey.

The YP-47M had a top speed of 473 mph (410 kn, 761 km/h) and it was put into limited production with 133 (sufficient for one group) built. However, the type suffered serious teething problems in the field due to the highly tuned engine. Engines were unable to reach operating temperatures and power settings and frequently failed in early flights from a variety of causes: ignition harnesses cracked at high altitudes, severing electrical connections between the magneto and distributor, and carburetor valve diaphragms also failed. Persistent oil tank ruptures in replacement engines were found to be the result of inadequate protection against saltwater corrosion during transshipment. In the end, it was simply errors made by the R-2800-57 model engine's manufacturers which led to these issues with the P-47M.

By the time the bugs were worked out, the war in Europe was nearly over. However, P-47Ms still destroyed 15 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, normal results for any fighter type in March-May 1945 when aerial encounters with the Luftwaffe were rare. The entire production total of 130 P-47Ms were delivered to the 56th Fighter Group, and were responsible for all seven of that group's jet shoot-downs. Twelve were lost in operational crashes with the 56th Group resulting in 11 deaths, two after VE Day, and two (44-21134 on April 13th, 1945 and 44-21230 on April 16th, 1945) were shot down in combat (both by ground fire).

Pictured here is a 1:48 scale replica of a P-47M Thunderbolt fighter that was piloted by Major George Bostwick, who was attached to the 63rd Fighter Squadron "Panthers", 56th Fighter Group, then deployed to RAF Boxted, England, during 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 10-inches
Length: 8-3/4-inches

Release Date: December 2013

Historical Account: "Ugly Duckling" - George E. Bostwick grew up in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and attended Ripon College from 1937.41 where he received a BS degree. He entered the U.S. Army Infantry in June 1941 and graduated from flying school on October 1st, 1943.

Arriving at Boxsted, England in early 1944, he joined the 62nd Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group and flew his first mission on May 11th, 1944. By the end of June, Bostwick had flown 37 missions including two on D-Day to the Normandy beachhead.

On June 7th, he destroyed his first aircraft in the air, an ME 109, over Grandvilliers, France and on July 4th over Conches Airdrome Bostwick destroyed three ME 109's in quick succession. He also damaged an ME 109 in the air on the same mission. For the most part of the mission, he was on his own and at a great disadvantage because of a malfunctioning aircraft.

He was awarded the Silver Star for his accomplishments on this mission. Two days later, on July 6th, flying LM.Z "Ugly Duckling," Bostwick destroyed an ME 109 in the air over Beaumont, France, to become an ace. On September 8th, on this 70th mission, he destroyed three FW 190's on the ground at Euskirchen Airdrome.

Reassigned to the 63rd Squadron on his return to the 56th Fighter Group for a second combat tour in January 1945, Bostwick flew his first mission on January 10th, a rodeo to Cologne. On March 25th, George Bostwick became one of the few allied pilots to shoot down a twin jet ME 262. On April 7th, he destroyed two ME 190s in the air Near Bremen. Three days later, Bostwick flew a rodeo to Berlin and in an attack on Werder Airdrome destroyed four aircraft on the ground.