Wings of Glory: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Raymond)

The Republic P-47 was by far the largest and heaviest single engine fighter built in the entire World War Two. Nicknamed "the Unbreakable" and "the Jug," it was a rugged and dependable airplane, capable of flying its pilot back from combat even when full of holes from enemy fire. Heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, and carrying an impressive bomb load, it was very effective as both a bomber escort and a ground attack aircraft. Refined during his development, the P-47D was the most produced version, with 12,602 built. Elwood D. Raymond was a member of the 56th Fighter Group, stationed in England, which destroyed more enemy aircraft than any other did.