Unpopular with Major De Fehr and many other USAAF and RAF pilots owing to its sometimes unpredictable handling, the P-39 Airacobra was exported in large numbers to the Soviet Union.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bell P-39 Airacobra - СШАUSA - 1939

In this opening article on his experience of “going to the Americans”, Tom Neil recounts his first flight in a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Here Lt Wayne O’Conner (and dog) on the wing of 56th Fighter Group P-47 41-16216 give scale to the sheer bulk of the fighter - nicknamed “Jug” (short for Juggernaut) on account of its size.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1941

The First Thunderbolts committed to combat were P-47Cs. Externally they could be distinguished from -47Bs by their different radio aerials.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1941

P-47C 41-6209 of the 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, about to depart Kingscliffe in March 1943 for an escort mission over Europe.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1941

Many P-47 pilots had previously flown the smaller Spitfire, and converting to the larger Thunderbolt had its problems. This example nosed-over as a result of excessive braking on landing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1941

A P-51B Mustang, with the early variants' high-back fuselage and framed canopy, on an escort mission.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Истребитель P-38D, 1942г.
A late-model Lockheed P-38L on a test-flight in the USA before delivery to England. The type was scheduled to join the USAAF’s 100th Fighter Wing at the time that Tom Neil was assigned as its liaison officer.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed P-38 Lightning - СШАUSA - 1939

A late-model P-47D of the 53rd FS, Ninth Air Force, taxying on a temporary runway in spring 1944.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Republic P-47D-25 / P-47N Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1943

Despite the extra weight and power conferred on the Spitfire by the addition of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, it was still diminutive compared with the massive Thunderbolt. Seen here at Boscombe Down in 1943 is Griffon-powered Spitfire Mk XII MB878, used for bomb rack and oil system flight-testing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IV / Mk.XII / XIV - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941