Warplanes of the USA: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

(USAAF Photo)

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt "The Jenny A", of the 325th Fighter Group.

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. It was a successful high-altitude fighter, and it also served as the foremost American fighter-bomber in the ground-attack role. Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns, and it could carry 5-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 lb (1,100 kg). When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to 8 tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war.

The Thunderbolt was effective as a short-, medium-, and long range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and ground attack in both the European and Pacific theaters. The P-47 was designed around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radial engine, which also powered two U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps fighters, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair. An advanced turbosupercharger system ensured the aircraft's eventual dominance at high altitudes, while also influencing its size and design.The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of the Second World War. It also served with other Allied air forces, including those of France, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, as well as Allied Mexican and Brazilian squadrons.

The armored cockpit was relatively roomy and comfortable and the bubble canopy introduced on the P-47D offered good visibility. Nicknamed the "Jug" owing to its appearance if stood on its nose, the P-47 was noted for its firepower and its ability to resist battle damage and remain airworthy. A present-day U.S. ground-attack aircraft, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, takes its name from the P-47. (Wikipedia)

(USAAF Photo)

A USAAF Republic P-47D-22-RE Thunderbolt (s/n 42-25969) in flight. This aircraft was originally assigned to the 8th AF / 361st FG / 376th FG (E9-D) flown by Capt. John D.Duncan. Later lost on 3 August 1944 while being assigned to the 8th AF / 56th FG / 63rd FS . When assigned to the 56th FG its markings were (UN-S) and the pilot Lt. Roach Stewart Jr. was KIA MACR 7448.

(USAAF Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbotl, "Razorback" configuration.

(USAAF Photo)

P-47 of the 355th Fighter Group.

(USAAF Photo)

A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-75248, coded 3T-Q) of the 36th Fighter Group prepares for take off from Brucheville (A-16), France, 20 August 1944.

(USAAF Photo)

A P-47 Thunderbolt of the 373rd Fighter Group takes off.

(USAAF Photo)

P-47 Thunderbolts (LJ-B, serial number 42-8381, "War Weary") nicknamed "Little One" and (LJ-D, serial number 42-7896, "War Weary") and RAF AT-6 Texans at East Wretham, home of the 359th Fighter Group. Assoicated caption:' P-47 "Little One" LJ-P 28381 dark green w/ white cowl band, tow target ship that TP Smith flew up to 39,500 ft.'

(USAAF Photo)

Sergeant Elwin D. Phillips, Lieutenant Sidney Hewitt, Staff Sergeant Michael Yahawk, and a colleague of the 361st Fighter Squadron, 356th Fighter Group stand with Hewitt's P-47 Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-74702) coded QI-F, nicknamed "Clarkie" at Goxhill. Handwritten caption on reverse: '"CLARIE" [sic] 361st Fighter Squadron, Pilot: Sid Hewitt. Standing (L-R) Sgt Elwin D Phillips (arm/ aut C/C) Pilot: lt Sidney Hewitt S/Sgt Michael Yahawk- eng (Crew Chief).'

(USAAF Photo)

Republic P‑47B Thunderbolt formation, 56th Fighter Group, with the aircraft painted in pre-deployment colours. In Europe the P-47s adopted white bands on noses and tails to distinguish them from the Focke-Wulf Fw 190A in the eyes of nervous bomber gunners.

(IWM Photo, FRE 5604)

P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft of the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford.

(IWM Photo, FRE 6907)

Republic P-47C-5-RE Thunderbolt (VM-A, serial number 41-6530) of the 551st Fighter Training Squadron, 495th Fighter Training Group. This aircraft was formerly assigned to the 56th Fighter Group at RAF Kings Cliffe. This aircraft was condemned due to enemy action 16 April 1946.

(USAAF Photo)

526th Fighter Squadron Republic F-47 Thunderbolt, 1948.

(USAAF Photo)

128th Fighter Squadron Republic P-47N-25-RE Thunderbolt 44-89403 Marietta GA May 1946. This aircraft was part of the last production block of P-47s at Republic Aircraft, Farmingdale, New York.

(USAF Photo)

Republic F-47N-5-RE Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-88566), HI ANG 199th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 1954.

(USAAF Photo)

345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force.

(USAAF Photo)

Republic RP-47N-5-RE Thunderbolts. Each of these three is being flown by a Republic Test Pilot on a pre-delivery flight. The P-47N was capable of 467 mph at 32,000'  and able to fly over 2,200 miles.

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Survivors:

(USAAF Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-08130), being restored for static display at the Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-08066).  Project, being restored in Australia for the Pima Air and Space Museum. This Thunderbolt, which is a combat veteran of the Pacific Theatre, was force-landed mostly intact in the swamps of New Guinea in October 1943. It remained largely undisturbed until the mid-1960s when efforts began to retrieve it. The aircraft was eventually recovered and shipped to New Zealand, where it was prepared for static display. It was later traded to Australia. By the time restoration commenced, the aircraft required significant metal replacement to address the corrosion from its time in the New Guinea swamp.

(Goshimini Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-08205), "Big Stud", 88, Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.

(Goshimini Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-23278), "Fiery Ginger IV", National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.

(Bonnie Trestle Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-27609), unnamed, this aircraft is being restored for static display at the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-29150), "Dottie Mae", based at Allied Fighters in Sun Valley, Idaho. Airworthy.

(Eric Salard Photo)

Republic P-47D-30-RA Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-32691), LH-E, unnamed.  This aircraft is preserved in the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-32798), unnamed, Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill AFB in Utah.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-32814), unnamed, in storage at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-32817), "Balls Out", based at Lewis Air Legends in San Antonio, Texas. Airworthy.

(Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker, USAF Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-90368), "Tarheel Hal", based at Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, Texas. Airworthy.

(Kogo Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-90438), "Wicked Wabbit", 44, privately owned in Wilmington, Delaware. Airworthy.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-90447), "Jacky's Revenge", in storage at American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, New York. This aircraft crashed in the Hudson River on 27 May 2016, pilot killed. Wreckage recovered but unknown if it will be restored.

(Airwolfhound Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-90460), "Hun Hunter XVI", based at Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tennessee. Airworthy.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-90471), "Hairless Joe", based at Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon. Airworthy.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49130), unnamed, in storage at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville, Tennessee.

(Goshimini Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49167), painted as (Serial No. 44-32718), "Five by Five", National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49181), unnamed, Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49205), "Squirt VIII", based at Palm Springs Air Museum in Palm Springs, California. Airworthy.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49346), c/n 399-55885, unnamed, Reg. No. N3152D, based at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California. Airworthy.

(Tim Felce Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49385), unnamed, based at Westpac Restorations in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Airworthy.

(Articseahorse Photo)

Republic P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49406), "Tallahassee Lassie", based at Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington. Airworthy.   This aircraft is is painted in the colours of the Thunderbolt flown by Seattle-born Colonel Ralph C. Jenkins, who led the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, USAAF.

(Johannes Gilger Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 45-49458), "Norma", New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. It is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

(John5199 Photo)

Republic P-47G Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-25068), "Snafu", privately owned in Houston, Texas. Airworthy.

(Airwolfhound Photo)

Republic P-47G Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-25254), "Spirit Of Atlantic City, NJ", based at Planes of Fame in Chino, California. Airworthy.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Republic YP-47M Thunderbolt (Serial No. 42-27385), unnamed, based at Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California. Airworthy.

(USAAF Photo)

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-20978) 'Torrid Tessie' of the 346th Fighter Squadron and flown by USAAF 1Lt Homer St. Onge flying over Italy, 25 Feb 1945.

The P-47M was intended as a high-speed P-47 variant with the intention of engaging the German V-1 Flying-bomb threat. This is the first of the four YP-47M prototypes, converted in 1944 from standard P-47D airframes by fitting with an R-2800-57(C) engine and General Electric CH-5 Turbo-supercharger. It was also fitted with air-brakes, for use following a dive attack on other aircraft. It had an impressive top speed of 473mph. 133 production aircraft were built, all serving with the 56th Fighter Group. They were responsible for the seven jets shot down by the unit, although the highly tuned engines proved to be unreliable in the field.

Republic P-47N Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-89136), "Lil Meatie's Meat Chopper", in storage at Commemorative Air Force in Midland, Texas. Heavily damaged after an accident on 21 March 2002 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is now awaitng restoration and is in storage at Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison, Texas.

Republic P-47N Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-89320), "Expected Goose", Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, Florida.

(Articseahorse Photo)

Republic P-47N Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-89348), unnamed, Lackland AFB, Texas.

(US GOV PD Photo)

Republic P-47N Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-89425), "Wild Hare", Peterson Air and Space Museum at Peterson AFB, Colorado.

Republic P-47N Thunderbolt (Serial No. 44-89444), "Cheek Baby", Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York. It is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

(USAAF Photo)

Republic XP-47H Thunderbolt variant with Chrysler XIV-2220-1 V16 engine.

P-47 Pilot Equipment: Typical personal equipment for a U.S. pilot from the Pilot Training Manual for the Thunderbolt P-47N, Headquarters, AAF Manual 51-127-4, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., September 1945.Republic P-47 Thunderbolts