P-47D-27 (USSR)

▂P-47D-27

▂P-47D-27

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	4.3	3.7

Class:

PREMIUM

Fighter

Purchase:1 900

Show in game

This page is about the premium fighter P-47D-27 (USSR). For other versions, see P-47 (Family).

Description

The ▂P-47D-27 Thunderbolt is a premium rank III Russian fighter with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/SB) and 4.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.43. This aircraft is a Soviet lend-lease version of the iconic American P-47D-25, with only minor differences including a camouflage colour scheme and Russian forged and welded FAB bombs weighed in kilograms instead of the American bombs AN-M series bombs weighed in pounds.

The fighter does, however, retain the eight deadly 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns which this fighter is renowned for, easily ripping off wings and also setting fuel tanks ablaze. The fighter's overall good energy retention makes this an excellent Boom & Zoom fighter but is restricted by its slow initial climbing ability. To counter the slow climb, side climbing at the start is recommended if looking for an altitude advantage to make the most use out of Boom & Zoom. This fighter also doubles as a great ground attacker, mounting an impressive payload (1,250 kg total!), unfortunately, the US did not include HVAR rockets with the lend-lease package, thus they are not available for the Soviet version.

General info

Flight performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 9,144 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
676	657	12200	26.2	27.2	7.3	7.3	600
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 9,144 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
729	700	12200	23.8	25.0	15	10.6	600

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		520	~12	~5

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 402	< 420	< 470	> 335

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
8,500 m	2,000 hp	2,300 hp

Survivability and armour

• 38 mm of bulletproof glass in cockpit
• 9.5 mm steel under bulletproof glass in cockpit
• 9.5 mm steel behind pilot's seat

Armaments

Offensive armament

The P-47D-27 (USSR) is armed with:

• 8 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, wing-mounted (425 rpg = 3,400 total)

Suspended armament

The P-47D-27 (USSR) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 1 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bomb (250 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500 bombs + 1 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bomb (1,250 kg total)

Usage in battles

As with the normal P-47D-25, the D-27 can be used one of two modes, first as an excellent Boom & Zoom fighter, using its great energy retention and amazing armament against high flying bombers and fighters. Another option is as a fighter bomber, utilising the impressive payload and adequate diving characteristics of the P-47 (be aware of dropping order of the bombs, the 500 kg bombs drop first and then the 250 kg under the fuselage is dropped). The 500 kg bombs are able to make short work of any tank whether light or heavy in its tier, but the 250 kg bomb can only provide enough explosive power to destroy softer targets, like armoured cars and SPAA. The way both 500 kg bombs drop should either be used against a group of tanks (combined battles) or against large pillboxes. Other than that, the P-47 can be used in multiple roles. Unfortunately, using bombs restricts flight to only staying at a low level where the P-47 is less effective. Not only that, but the P-47's already bad maneuverable becomes even worse with the payload. Once you have located your target, dive down to gain speed, drop your bombs, and immediately head back up to higher altitudes. Do not engage enemy fighters until you have dropped your bombs, or else you will be outmaneuvered and out-sped, and quickly shot down. If you lose altitude, most of the time you will be dead, as you are not maneuverable or fast, and make a great target for most enemy fighters.

If you are using it as a high altitude fighter initially side climbing is recommended, as you gain a vast advantage over other enemies. The hit and run tactics work best for the P-47, singling out a lone fighter below you, diving towards them and a 2-second burst from the M2 Brownings will most likely destroy them. Always try to avoid a head-on engagement, as your engine is exposed from the front and most likely break down if something manages to hit it. If you are willing to engage a heavy bomber main targets should be the wings and elevators, as they are easy targets for the P-47.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Controllable 1 gear	Auto controlled

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 12 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe		FMBC mk.1
III	Wings repair	Engine		New 12 mm MGs
IV		Engine injection	Cover		FLBC mk.1

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent multi-role fighter in the Soviet tree
• Outstanding payload (1,250 kg total!)
• 4 x Browning M2's on each wing will make short work of any fighter/attacker
• Plenty of ammo provides 33 seconds of sustained fire
• Bubble canopy provides excellent view (SB)
• Amazing energy retention makes it an excellent diver

Cons:

• Heavy fighter, sluggish and difficult to manoeuvre at slow speeds
• Bad turning ability
• Engine performance is worse in low altitudes
• Worse performance when mounting bombs
• Slow climbing
• Larger than the average fighter
• Bomb drop order makes it less viable for prolonged ground attacking

History

The U.S. sent 203 P-47Ds to the Soviet Union. In mid-1943, the Soviet high command showed an interest in the P-47B. Three P-47D-10-REs were ferried to the Soviet Air Forces (VVS) via Alaska in March 1944. Two of them were tested in April–May 1944. Test pilot Aleksey N. Grinchik noted the spacious cockpit with good ventilation and a good all-around view. He found it easy to fly and stable upon take-off and landing, but it showed excessive rolling stability and poor directional stability. Soviet engineers disassembled the third aircraft to examine its construction. They appreciated the high production standards and rational design well-suited to mass production, and the high reliability of the hard-hitting Browning machine guns. With its high service ceiling, the P-47 was superior to fighters operating on the Eastern front, yielding a higher speed above 30,000 feet (9,000 m). The Yak-9, La-5FN, Bf 109G and Fw 190A outperformed the early model P-47 at low and medium altitude, where the P-47 had poor acceleration and performed aerobatics rather reluctantly. In mid-1944, 200 P-47D-22-REs and P-47D-27-REs were ferried to the USSR via Iraq and Iran. Many were sent to training units. Less than half reached operational units, and they were rarely used in combat. The fighters were assigned to high-altitude air defense over major cities in rear areas. Unlike their Western counterparts, the VVS made little use of the P-47 as a ground attack aircraft, depending instead on their own widely produced—with 36,183 examples built during the war—special-purpose, armored ground-attack aircraft, the Il-2. At the end of the war, Soviet units held 188 P-47s.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.