It was a successful high-altitude fighter, and it also served as the foremost American fighter-bomber in the ground-attack role. Its primary armament was eight. When fully loaded, the P weighed up to 8 tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war. The Thunderbolt was effective as a short- to medium-range escort fighter in high- altitude air-to-air combat and ground attack in both the European and Pacific theaters.
An advanced turbosupercharger system ensured the aircraft's eventual dominance at high altitudes, while also influencing its size and design. The armored cockpit was relatively roomy and comfortable and the bubble canopy introduced on the PD offered good visibility. Nicknamed the "Jug" owing to its appearance if stood on its nose, the P was noted for its firepower and its ability to resist battle damage and remain airworthy.
A present-day U. A small number of Republic P Lancers were built, but Republic had been working on an improved P Rocket with a more powerful engine, as well as on the AP fighter design.
The latter was a lightweight aircraft powered by the Allison V liquid-cooled V engine and armed with two.
Republic tried to improve the design, proposing the XPA, but this failed. The XPA, which had little in common with the new design, was abandoned. The XPB was of all-metal construction except for the fabric-covered tail control surfaces with elliptical wings , with a straight leading edge that was slightly swept back.
