Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Republic Aviation
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Aircraft Overview
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a fighter-bomber aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. It was designed and built by Republic Aviation Corporation, and first flew in 1941.
The P-47 was a single-engine aircraft with a large, rugged airframe and a bubble canopy that provided excellent visibility for the pilot. It was armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns and could carry up to 3,200 pounds of bombs or rockets.
The P-47 was used in a variety of roles during the war, including as a fighter, fighter-bomber, and ground attack aircraft. It was especially effective in the ground attack role, where its heavy armament and bomb-carrying capability allowed it to destroy enemy tanks, trains, and other targets.
One of the most famous P-47 pilots was Colonel Francis Gabreski, who became one of the top American aces of the war with 28 confirmed kills. The P-47 was also used by the British Royal Air Force and the Soviet Air Force, where it was highly regarded for its toughness and durability.
A total of 15,686 P-47s were built, making it one of the most produced fighter aircraft of the war. After the war, the P-47 was used by several air forces around the world and was used extensively in the Korean War. Today, several P-47s survive and are flown in air shows and museum exhibitions around the world.
Republic P-47D-40 Thunderbolt Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 36 ft 1+3⁄4 in (11.02 m)
- Wingspan: 40 ft 9+5⁄16 in (12.43 m)
- Height: 14 ft 8+1⁄16 in (4.472 m)
- Wing area: 299.99 sq ft (27.870 m2)
- Airfoil: Seversky S-3
- Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
- Propellers: 4-bladed Curtiss Electric C542S constant-speed propeller, 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m) diameter.
Republic P-47D-40 Thunderbolt Performance
- Maximum speed: 426 mph (686 km/h, 370 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
- Range: 1,030 mi (1,660 km, 900 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)
Republic P-47D-40 Thunderbolt Armament
- 8 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (3400 rounds)
- Up to 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs.
- 10 × 5 in (127 mm) HVAR unguided rockets.
