[GuerraCivil]

Of all USAAF fighter units in Europe the most efficient to my knowledge was 56th FG and they flew with P-47 until the end of war. Perhaps speaks something for the merit of P-47 that 56 FG kept flying with it although "better" P-51 would have been available.

Although Mustang was somewhat better technically (specially longer range) the P-47 Razorback was essential in building up the self-confidence and combat experience of USAAF fighter units during 1943 and early 1944 (when big numbers of efficient fighter version of P-51 were not yet available).

P-47 airframe could also take lots of punishment of enemy fire and still bring the pilot home. This probably saved the life of many less experienced USAAF fighter pilots and increased their survival chances from their first combats. The famous episode of Robert Johnson surviving with totally holed-up P-47 on 17.6.1943 is perhaps the best example of the strength of P-47 airframe.

Later the same abilities made P-47 ideal fighter-bomber which was able to deal with intercepting enemy fighters if necessary. The P-51 was perhaps the best piston-engined fighter of WW2 but USAAF had to have P-47 also!