The P-51 came along in force long after the P-47 and the B-17’s had already broken the backs of the Axis. This explains the later absence of enemy opposition to our bomber missions and gave the P-51 the appearance of having won the war. The real heroes, the P-47’s, then turned their fury and massive fire power on the ground where it did the most damage to the Luftwaffe before they could get into the air to fight the P-51’s.
That being said, the P-47 is one of my personal favorites. It did all the dirty work through 1943 then became a premier tactical fighter bomber, as you pointed out. It was overshadowed by the more glamorous looking P-51.
You make a comment that I strongly disagree with "The P-51 came along in force long after the P-47 and the B-17s had already broken the backs of the Axis." The P-51 came onboard in 1943 long before the air war in Europe was decided.