P-51 and P-47 in USSR: pilot opinions

[TISO]

Allison-engined P-51As should be more useful to Russia than Merlin-engined P-51B's, C's and D's. Allison engine was best at low altitude, Merlin at high altitude.

The P-47 is a fuel hog of monumental proportions, and is also best at high altitude.

I wonder if choices had to do with cost of the aircraft, P-47 was twice as expensive when compared to P-39.

Err.... Did the Russians actually pay for them then?

Yep. Soviets paid with gold bars. As it was lend-lease they later returned those still in one piece to the US in late 40's early 50's where they were destroyed (thrown overboard on the way to US). Same goes for other equpment recived as per Lend-Lease (trucks, tanks, PT-boats, ships...).

[Alejandro_]

Yep. Soviets paid with gold bars. As it was lend-lease they later returned those still in one piece to the US in late 40's early 50's where they were destroyed (thrown overboard on the way to US). Same goes for other equpment recived as per Lend-Lease (trucks, tanks, PT-boats, ships...).

Do you have more details on the amount & quantity of gold bars?

What about "Reverse lend & lease"? was this a method to pay for the lend lease?

[TISO]

I don't have the nubers right now but 4.5-long-ton (4,570 kg) of gold bars ( 465gold bars) went down with HMS Edinburgh.