About the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
A successful high-altitude bomber and America’s leading fighter in the ground-attack role, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt served the USAAF from 1941 to 1945. Produced by Republic Aviation, the Thunderbolt was a short-to-medium-range escort fighter capable of combat at high-altitude (air-to-air) and also efficient in ground attacks.
The aircraft survived various combats including the World War II alongside US and participated with Allied air forces. The Thunderbolt was not only well known for its contribution to various wars and combat but also for its distinctive looks. The Republic P-47 had a remarkable bulky built and was the heaviest single-engine fighter to enter World War II. The aircraft was also nicknamed “Jug” due to its appearance as it stood on its nose. Despite its heavy size, the aircraft had no trouble providing efficient performance and was produced in great numbers than any other US fighter. The Thunderbolt with its extraordinary firepower and damage resistance remained airworthy for years.
P-47: Technical Specifications
The P-47 was designed by Alexander Kartveli with the of the United States Army Corps (USAAC) and the design was given the designation XP-47. However, in the mid-1940s, the Republic and USAAC concluded the XP-47 were no match to German Luftwaffe fighters and decided on improvisation of the design. The XP-47A, an improved design, was proposed but it failed as well, and a larger design was offered by Kartveli to USAAC in June 1940. The offer was accepted and the USAAC ordered a prototype in September designated as the XP-47B.
The new XP-47B was of all metal construction with elliptical wings (straight leading edge that was slightly swept back). The cockpit was air-conditioned with comfortable seats as the pilot’s compared it with a lounge chair. The doors of the canopy hinged upwards and the main and auxiliary self-sealing fuel ranks were equipped under the cockpit. The design gave the aircraft a total fuel capacity of 305 US gal. It represented a giant size and Kartveli remarked, “It will be a dinosaur, but it will be a dinosaur with good proportions.” With its primary armament of eight .50-caliber machine guns, and a capacity for 5-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 lbs, the P-47 fighter aircraft weighed up to 8 tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war.
Soon enough, the newly reorganized United States Army Air Forces placed an order for 171 production aircraft, the first being delivered in December 1941. There were more than 15,600 Thunderbolts manufactured between 1941 and 1945, and they served in every theatre of the war, performing a range of missions from bomber escort to close air support.
General Specifications
| Type | High Altitude Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Republic Aviation |
| Engine | 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 10,000 lb |
| Maximum Take-off | 17,500 lb |
Dimensions
| Wingspan | 12.43 m |
| Length | 11.02 m |
| Height | 4.472 m |
Performance
| Maximum Speed | 426 mph |
| Service Ceiling | 42,000 ft |
| Range | 900 nm |
Top Republic P-47 Milestones
The P-47 received great remarks for its high dive speed and high-altitude performance with some criticism in its rate of turn and climb, particularity at low to medium altitudes. Despite of its heavy stature the aircraft provided maximum power at 27,000 ft and in the thin air above 30,000 ft. Its radial piston engine had a high tolerance for damage compared to the liquid-cooled engines of the time.
The P-47 demonstrated formidable fighter-bombing due to its good armament, heavy bomb load, and ability to survive enemy fire. The Thunderbolt carried more firepower than other single-engine American fighters with its eight .50 in machine guns. Such massive firepower and armament helped the P-47 pilots claim 20 Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters and four Arado Ar 234 jet bombers in aerial combat.
The Wars
The P-47 was initially successful in the combat due to the tactics used while rolls as it had an excellent role rate along with an energy-saving dive. The Thunderbolt served as a primary bomber in British RAF, French Air Force, Peruvian Air Force, and Yugoslav Air Force apart from the USAAF. 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.
After the XB-47B’s first flight on May 6, 1941, it took the aircraft another two years to see its first combat. However, before its first combat in 1943, the P-47 had already flown more than a half a million sorties in Europe and the Pacific. This happened as in the beginning in January 1943, Thunderbolt fighters were sent to the joint Army Air Forces, civilian Millville Airport in Millville, New Jersey, to train civilian and military pilots. After significant training period, the first P-47 combat mission took place on March 10, 1943, with the 4th FG when they took their aircraft on a fighter sweep over France. Although, the mission failed due to radio malfunction and all P-47s were reequipped with British radio and the mission continued after April 8. This mission was a success under Major Don Blakeslee and scored Thunderbolt its first victory.
POST WAR
Thunderbolts were re-designated as the F-47 following Japan’s surrender and the aircraft continued in service years after the WWII with an unfortunate 5,934 cancelled orders. The F-47 continued to serve with the USAAF through 1947, the USAAF Strategic Air Command from 1946 to 1947, the active-duty USAF till 1949 and with the Air National Guard till 1953. The plane was retired by the US, however, NATO allies like Turkey, Portugal and Italy continued to maintain Thunderbolts as part of their squadrons till 1950s. Beyond these years, the Thunderbolts was flown by other countries as well, including Latin America until the 1960s and Peru until 1966.
The Bolt Ends
The Thunderbolt gained popularity in the years it was gone through various shows and documentaries. The 2001 television documentary Thunderbolts: The Conquest of the Reich was presented by the History Channel and directed by Lawrence Bond. It explored the final months of World War II over Germany through the accounts of four P-47 Thunderbolt pilots from the 362nd Fighter Group, featuring rare, original color footage from 1945. The documentary also gave an idea of the pilots’ experiences and the intense combat environment, reflecting on the destruction of over 6,000 German targets, despite the group suffering a nearly 50% casualty rate.
The P-47 Thunderbolt was also featured in an episode of World’s Deadliest Aircraft by the Military Channel, highlighting its formidable role in combat. In 2015, the P-47 was honored by being named the state aircraft of Indiana due to its manufacturing roots in Evansville. This legacy was further celebrated by naming the Evansville Thunderbolts minor league hockey team after the aircraft.
In addition, several P-47D variants were acquired by the Peruvian Air Force in the mid-1950s, where they played a significant role in modernizing Peru’s fighter fleet as ground-attack aircraft. These planes served until their retirement in 1969. Post-retirement, some of these aircraft were returned to the United States and are now part of museum collections, including a restored P-47D-40 (S/N 45-49167) currently displayed at the American Heritage Museum. This multifaceted history underscores the Thunderbolt’s enduring influence in both military and cultural contexts.
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