P-47 maintainability question

[hahnej]

Looking at the Republic pictures got me to thinking. I know the Thunderbolt was renown for being rugged, but how were they to maintain during the war? With all that turbo and intercooler stuff in the rear fuse I mean. Lots more stuff than say a Corsair or F6F with just the 'regular' R2800. I know the P-38 was a considered maintenance hog in the ETO, but I have never heard a word about maintaining P-47's.... Anybody have some crew chief insight?

[Second Air Force]

hahnej,

The only source I personally have on P-47 maintenance is from the training stations in Nebraska. Scribner, Bruning, and Ainsworth Air Bases had them for a relatively short period, and the maintenance logs I've been able to find show the usual engine changes, some turbo changes, and other wear-and-tear items common to training aircraft. The biggest problem for these stations that consistently shows up in the records is shortage of parts due to the combat zones having first priority. Tires and tubes, especially tailwheel tires, seem to have been a hot commodity. I've never read anything that makes me think the '47 was a maintenance hog in the combat zones. I know that you could leave a lot of airplane in enemy territory and still get home!

Scott

[retroaviation]

The engines are a booger-bear to change, and it's a little tough to work on some items, but overall (with the little work I've done on one), they're no worse than a Mustang......particularly the Merlin. I would suspect that tires would've been a big issue during the War though.

Just my $.02 worth.

Gary