For their next 'Squadrons' book, RAF-in-Combat has chosen the Thunderbolt I. This was the razorback version of the big Republic fighter and was not delievered in the numbers of the later bubble top aircraft. Of course, the term 'razorback' is a post war affectation as pilots of the day just called it the P-47 or the Thunderbolt.

Similar to the first offering, this one is a bit different from the unit books that have been done  in that they take a type that has had limited use and cover the squadrons that have flown the aircraft. You get the same well done research as in the paper books along with a nice selection of period photographs of the aircraft in question.

This particular volume covers the acquisition use, and the scrapping of the Thunderbolt I. Initially, the RAF wanted Mustangs as it was considered the better aircraft. At any rate, something had to be gotten as the initial plan to send Typhoons to the Med to replace Hurricanes came to naught when it was discovered that the Typhoon couldn't handle the high temperatures and the dust. So the second choice was the Thunderbolt. Even then the USAAF was loathe to send a lot to the RAF as they were needed in US squadrons. Eventually, 239 MkIs were delivered to the RAF, who, with the reduction in the air war in the Med, decided to use them all in the Far East.

Eventually, the aircraft reached depots in India where training commenced and the planes were doled out to units in the 3rd TAF. Attrition was lower than expected and more Hurricane squadrons converted to the Thunderbolt. As more and more bubbletop planes entered squadron service the razorback was quickly retired with the last being struck off by July 1945, just a bit over a year since training on the type first started.

Overall, it is a superbly researched and presented book. It is also chock full of photographs of the Thunderbolt I and the men who flew it. The addition of large color profiles really adds to it. Available in .pdf for the moment but I'm sure that others are coming. A book I found fascinating and one that is bound to be a valuable reference resource in the years to come.

January 2014

Review book courtesy of www.raf-in-combat.com. Visit them for other great titles

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