The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, first flown in May 1941, and powered by a single radial engine, had a range 200 miles greater than that of the P-38. This was a mighty warplane with 8 Browning machine guns in the wings. It became the medium range fighter to provide the relay of bomber escorts over Europe. In fact, a US Thunderbolt squadron became the highest scoring unit in Europe.
