Luftwaffe Technical Intelligence on the P-47

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

Interesting discussion regarding the German view of the P-47 fighter. It seems as if the Thunderbolt not only benefited from an improved propeller but also water injection which raised the engine's power to 2,300 HP in late 1943 or early 1944. I have also read that the type's performance was additionally boosted by improvements to the water injection system that further increased power to 2,535 HP and the introduction of 150 octane fuel in summer 1944. Is this information accurate? I recall reading that Oberstleutnant Gordon Gollob (150 victories, RK-Br) considered the western Allied fighters to be superior to their German counterparts in 1943 so he appears to have been interested in factual information and not propaganda and morale boosting per se. That the latter occurred is apparent from the account that Unteroffizier Kurt Scherer of 6./JG 4 left apropos the visit by Wanderzirkus Rosarius:

"The day was rounded off with a demonstration of captured American aircraft, in particular a P-51 Mustang. It was stressed that our Bf 109s and Fw 190s were generally superior to this type. We soon realized on our first combat mission that this statement was not entirely accurate.”

Horrido!

Leo