007 Ladies Tailor, Bangalore

Coast di Jesolo (data not shown)

Republic P-57 Thunderbolt

Texts and pictures Piero Mescalchin

One of the most successful war machines in place by the United States in the 2nd World War was undoubtedly the fighter-bomber "P-47 Thunderbolt." Built by Republic Aviation Division in 15,000 copies, was 11 meters long and weighed about 9 tons when fully loaded. Because of its squat shape, "Thunderbolt" was nicknamed "Jug" "A bottle of milk." He could reach 700 mph with a 2,000-horsepower radial engine with turbocharger and a large Four blade propeller of about 4 meters in diameter. The wreckage of the P-47 lies 22 meters deep on a sandy bottom about 10 miles off the coast of Jesolo. It 'was possible to locate only in the summer of '93 for the reporting of a vessel which dragged in the area. The plane appears to our eyes, 50 years after the killing, with a few scales. The aluminum used to build, in fact, is toxic to many marine organisms have preferred other substrati.La turbine leakage lying on the sand. The plane is completely reversed, it shows the top seat of the cart. Its firepower was remarkable, the equipment consisted of eight machine guns placed on the wings, a load of 125Kg bombs and rockets from one o'clock 5 pollici.Il "Thunderbolt" was particularly suitable for attacking targets on the ground and increased its danger for the autonomy of 1,600 km which increased to 3,000 with the addition of an auxiliary fuel tank located under the fuselage of cardboard. One of the trucks has a crack possibly caused by a bullet. It is very difficult to speculate on the causes that led to the slaughter. The signs of recognition, which were changed for each mission, they have rapidly corrosi.La great fire power was made possible by 8 Colt Browning 12.7 mm machine guns placed in the wings. The outer shell of stainless steel have supported conservation. The duralumin fuselage is well preserved, as were the wings. Imagine the "Thunderbolt" in a game a night fighter squadron in January '44 from Puglia occupied by the Americans to precede the B-24 bombers to destroy the German base in Udine. After bombing enemy targets, on the way back, may have been struck by contraerea.Ci like to imagine unless the pilot is protected from the 'armored cockpit, parachute jump air and watch her sink. Nevertheless, we do not give anything for granted. To be safe, with the help of some balloons, we raise the plane from the bottom just enough to explore the interior of the cabin. The two columns of air expelled from the ball in pressure, seem to reproduce the wake of the plane hit, and sinks. After much din of battle, dragging with it in the silence of the sea the secret of his mission.

(Color Image of an era P-47 Thunderbolt)