[FlyVet]

If I remember right, though, the '47 could hold its own in high altitude dogfights, and left the Spitfire pilots in awe as they climbed away from them like a "raped ape", for such a relatively big plane. Although I've seen them at air shows, and they don't look so big at all, quite tiny compared to modern fighters.

[PsyOp]

The P-47 was fast, and could, as you say, "climb like a raped ape." But it could not turn with the German fighters in a dog-fight, which is why they "Jug" pilots adopted the proven tactics that the Tigers used in China.

Whenever a German fighter got on their tail they would split-s and dive away (Nothing could catch a P-47 in power-dive except a P-38). Once clear of gun range they would then pull for altitude to get above the german pilot so he could then dive on him.

In level flight, the 47 could walk away from a 109 if it was not too close but not from a 190. But it could still out dive a 190. The super-charged 190's, though, could climb with them.

And last but not least, no other fighter on either side could take the punishment of the P-47. Even if he got one in his sites, German pilots had a tough time shooting them down. Many a Jug pilot survived engagements that would have killed them in any other plane.