P-47 T'Bolt's in the RAF

[Alex Smart]

Thank you ALL for your replies.

I just wondered if perhaps someone knew that they did take part in a defensive op or even an offensive op. Perhaps Air cover over their respective Base during an air attack if they were there.
So far Graham I have seen eight serial numbers(US) but only six given RAF numbers.

Thanks again

Alex

[Graham Boak]

I did look in the Hikoki book on Boscombe Down last night, it quoted at least two US P-47s used for trials and gave serials for four RAF ones: two razorbacks used for various weapon trials, a bubble and a fin-fillet.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Graham,

Fin Fillet, Ah - large or small type - did it show it in a photo ?

Later types had a larger fuller fillet while earlier ones had a smaller one.

I have not seen AFAIR an RAF T'Bolt that had a fin fillet though i have read that later deliveries did. But that begs the question of what type ?

Have you any details on tha matter please.

Thanks
Alex

[Graham Boak]

Photos and profiles of RAF 'bolts with fillets are in Geoff Thomas's RAF Thunderbolts book from Air Research Publications. Two have the large fillet. One is the only D-40 received by the RAF, KL887: Thomas associates the large fillet with this sub-type. The other is a D-30, KL856 KW.D.

Other D-30s with small fillets include KL882 MU.H, KL431 MU.C, KL339 FL.O. KL883 KW.V, KL841 EG.U, KL859 MU.T, KL849 FJ.G, KL339 GQ.B. All are natural metal.

Boscombe Down's KJ298 had the fillet, presumably as the test example for the modification.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Graham,

Thank you for your great reply,
as always on the ball.

Alex