How would the P-47M or the P-47N had done in England had they been available after Pearl Harbor was attacked? (According To AI)

 

If the Republic P-47N or P-47M Thunderbolts had been available immediately after Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) and deployed to England in 1942, they would have represented a dramatic leap in fighter performance and capability compared to what was historically available at that time. Here’s how each variant might have impacted the air war over Europe:

1. P-47N Thunderbolt (introduced 1945) Designed for: Long-range escort missions in the Pacific.

Key features:

Increased internal fuel capacity (up to 556 gallons).

Larger wing for more range and stability.

Excellent high-altitude performance.

Top speed: ~467 mph at 32,500 ft.

Range: ~2,350 miles with drop tanks.

Impact in 1942 England:

Strategic Escort Capability: The P-47N could have escorted bombers all the way to deep targets in Germany years before the P-51 Mustang appeared in numbers. This might have drastically improved the survival of USAAF bomber crews in 1943–44 and possibly accelerated the strategic bombing campaign’s effectiveness.

High-Altitude Fighter Superiority: German fighters like the Bf 109F/G and Fw 190A would have struggled against its sheer speed and ruggedness at high altitude.

Tactical Limitation: Its larger wings and longer fuselage made it a bit less nimble at low altitudes, so in dogfights below 10,000 ft, the Fw 190 still might have had an edge.

2. P-47M Thunderbolt (introduced 1945) Designed for: High-speed interception against German jets and V-1 flying bombs.

Key features:

Lighter airframe than the P-47N.

High-performance engine (R-2800-57C with water injection).

One of the fastest piston-engined aircraft in WWII.

Top speed: ~473 mph at 32,000 ft.

Range: ~1,000 miles with drop tanks.

Impact in 1942 England:

Interceptor Role: Would have been a nightmare for Luftwaffe raids, especially bombers and fast fighters. It would have outperformed anything Germany had in 1942–43.

Limited Range: Its relatively short range would have made it less useful for deep bomber escort early in the war.

Jet Fighter Counter: If somehow retained through to 1944, it could have handled Me 262 jet threats better than the standard P-47 or even some Mustangs.

Overall Hypothetical Outcome if Available After Pearl Harbor: Air Superiority: The Luftwaffe would have had to contend with superior American high-altitude fighters 1–2 years earlier than expected.

Bomber Campaign Success: With proper deployment and tactics, bomber losses in 1943–44 might have been significantly lower, shortening the war in Europe.

Technological Pressure: Germany might have been forced to rush jet development or newer Bf 109 variants even earlier.

Logistical Burden: The P-47N especially was heavy, complex, and fuel-hungry. Early-war logistics in England might have struggled to fully support it until mid-1943.

Would you like a side-by-side chart comparing the P-47B, P-47M, and P-47N to visualize their potential advantages?



Here's a side-by-side comparison chart of the P-47B, P-47M, and P-47N to highlight how the later models could have dramatically impacted the air war had they been available after Pearl Harbor:

Feature / Spec P-47B (1942) P-47M (1945) P-47N (1945)
Primary Role High-altitude interceptor High-speed interceptor Long-range escort fighter
Engine R-2800-21 R-2800-57C (with water injection) R-2800-77 (enhanced reliability)
Horsepower ~2,000 hp ~2,800 hp ~2,800 hp
Top Speed ~429 mph @ 30,000 ft ~473 mph @ 32,000 ft ~467 mph @ 32,500 ft
Combat Range ~800 miles ~1,000 miles (w/ drop tanks) ~2,350 miles (w/ drop tanks)
Armament 8 × .50 cal machine guns 8 × .50 cal machine guns 8 × .50 cal machine guns
Wing Design Original elliptical Slightly clipped for speed Longer, squared-off for fuel capacity
Bomb Load Up to 2,000 lbs Up to 2,500 lbs Up to 2,500 lbs
Operational Ceiling ~41,000 ft ~43,000 ft ~42,000 ft
Strengths First USAAF high-altitude fighter Blazing speed, jet killer Ultimate range and durability
Weaknesses Short range Limited range Heavier, less agile at low altitudes

Hypothetical Impact of Early Availability:
P-47M in 1942–43: Could have neutralized German bomber raids and outpaced Luftwaffe fighters, but limited range would keep it from deep escort missions early on.

P-47N in 1942–43: Could have enabled true deep-penetration bomber escort missions 1–2 years ahead of the P-51 Mustang, potentially reducing bomber losses significantly.

Overall: Germany would have faced extreme pressure earlier, possibly reshaping Luftwaffe strategy and speeding the war’s conclusion.