The Chonkiest WW2 Fighter Plane

The P-51 Mustang is often praised for its sleek, athletic lines, a sharp contrast to the bulkier P-47 Thunderbolt. In fact, the Thunderbolt was so large that you could practically fit a Mustang inside its massive frame with space left over.

This oversized design wasn’t accidental. The P-47 was built around the immense Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, a two-row, 18-cylinder air-cooled radial engine with a staggering displacement of 46 liters. By comparison, the Rolls-Royce Merlin engines powering the Supermarine Spitfire and the P-51 Mustang displaced only about 27 liters.

The Thunderbolt’s size was further increased by its complex turbo-supercharger system, which occupied a significant portion of the rear fuselage. While this added to its “chonky” appearance, it gave the P-47 exceptional high-altitude performance, making it one of the most formidable fighters of the war.