Thunderbolt and Lightning

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and Lockheed P-38 Lightning were vastly different designs, but both these aircraft served with distinction in the fighter escort and fighter-bomber role across Europe and the Pacific. The mighty Thunderbolt was easily the heaviest single-engined fighter to see operational service in World War II, attracting the nickname 'Juggernaut' (soon abbreviated to 'Jug') by its pilots. The P-38 offered twin-engine security and packed a devastating punch with its closely grouped combination of cannon and machine guns. Michael O'Leary's magnificent air-to-air studies of the surviving airworthy aircraft.