I think that photograph was taken in 1944 at the A&AEE, Boscombe Down, in which case it certainly isn't freshly applied paint. It might be one taken slightly earlier at Heston as this one was.
No. They acquired more than 800 P-47s of various types but operated them principally in the Far East. The P-47 replaced the trusty old Hurricane Mk IIc on many squadrons, from memory about 12-15 squadrons eventually operated the Thunderbolt, but someone might want to check that.
Cheers
Steve