That like using mustangs for ground attack in korea.Just stupid.The airforce retired the P-47 thunderbolt after the war except for some guard units and when korea rolled around they were gone.Dumb as hell.
The Mustang was a great plane but I agree with you for ground attack, it would not be my first choice either. The Mustang was meant for air to air combat and escort, which the P-47 could do as well. However, the P-47 is a much beefer plane suited for ground attack as well and don’t forget, the P-51 was watercooled, if you take out the radiator, you’ll have problems, at least the P-47 being aircooled did not have that problem. If I had to choose a WWII type plane to bomb bad guys with, fight space aliens or take out jihadi’s, I’d choose the P-47 or maybe the Corsair, I want something more beefy.