8TH AIR FORCE FIGHTER MODIFICATIONS
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8TH AIR FORCE FIGHTER MODIFICATIONS
Too much BS and false comparisons in this tome.
First the model that went to ETO 22 months before Balikapan, Beginning Dec/Jan 1943 with 56th FG was the C-2 with four point attach for Republic 200 gal composite tank which was not capable of pressurization past 22K. Operationally the 8th FC filled to only 100gal.
Second, no P-47C/D delivered to 8th FC through August 1943 (After Schweinfurt-Regensburg) came equipped with B-7 centerline bomb rack capable of carrying the 75 or 108gal tanks until the beginning of September 1943. It was also in September that the factory B-7 equipped P-47D-5 began arriving in ETO.
The longest mission that the 56th FG engaged in w/108 gal tank – in which victory credits were scored – was E.Bremen 309mi from Halesworth on 11-13-43; with 150 gal, Brunswick 381mi on 3-29-44; with 2x108gal Halberstadt 401mi on 5-19-44.
All short of Schweinfurt combat radius.
The 56fg started receiving the P-47D-25 with 370gal internal fuel in May 1944 butdid not have enough for a complete mission until Spetember 1944. By that time the 9th AF due to attrition was getting most of the new ships.
In summary, the P-47 needed a.) B-7 centerline rack, b.) two wing pylon B-10 racks, c.) increase in internal fuel frm 305 to 370gal in orde to execute Balikpapan mission in October 1944. Second factor for SWP is that 99% of fighter ops were over long stretches of water with no threat of flak or fighter interception until target was reached – enabling low RPM/low MP cruise at 10000 feet. In ETO if the 8th AF P-47 FG used same techniques, there would have been 100% attrition in a short timeframe