The American P47 was one of the iconic aircraft of World War 2. The American bomber (B17 initially) proved unequal to the Luftwaffe when the 8th Airforce appeared over the skies of France i 1942 and it was clear that fighter support with good range was required to protect the 'big birds'.
The P47 was the answer. Designed in 1940 it went into production in 1942, the C& D versions being almost identical and proved more than the equal of the best the Germans had to offer.
As later, and bubble canopy models were introduced the P47 C/D found a new and terrible role, as a perfect ground attack aircraft from June 1944 in Normandy. This aircraft was the main cause of German lack of road movement during daylight hours up to the end of the war... armed with 8 .50cal MGs and underwing bombs and rugged this was arguably a perfect ground attack aircraft.
10000 were produced before production switched to the bubble canopy.