Why WW2 Fighter Pilots Prefer P-47s Over P-51s

The Reason

WWII veteran Lt. Col. Harrison Covington of the 311th Fighter Squadron talked about the P-47 and how it was better in performance than the P-51 – even though the latter got more attention.

During an interview back in October 2010, Covington argued that the P-47 downed more planes in the war – mostly in Europe than any other plane in history. It also dropped more bombs, strafed more planes, trains, and everything on the ground than any other plane they had.

He further stated that it irritates him that the plane isn’t given the recognition it deserves, with the P-51 almost getting all the glory. “People just don’t like the way it looked,” the veteran said, “It’s just ugly, and they liked that pretty little 51.”

He also said that the P-47 was designed for altitude work because it’s equipped with a turbo-supercharger, meaning it could handle thin air better and fly at high altitudes. The P-51 on the other hand, he says was designed for low altitude.

However, at that point, both planes switched roles since the P-47 could absorb the punishment better and the P-51 couldn’t. He says that the P-51 took over the work in the European theater since they could stay in the air longer than the P-47.

Overall, he agreed that both planes were superior aircraft, especially in what they did during the war.