Written off as too clumsy for combat, the P-47 Thunderbolt made one of the most dramatic comebacks in aviation history, becoming a ground-attack monster that shredded German and Japanese forces.

Whereas the quick and agile North American P-51 Mustang, the legendary fighter that dominated the skies of World War II, and Lockheed's P-38 did indeed bring the "Lighting," Republic Aviation's P-47 ...