Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest single-engine fighters of World War II, built by Republic Aviation around the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine with turbo-supercharging. First flown in 1941, it entered combat in 1943, initially as a high-altitude bomber escort over Europe and later in the Pacific. Affectionately known as the "Jug," it was extremely rugged, heavily armed with eight .50 caliber machine guns, and devastating in the ground-attack role, destroying vast numbers of enemy vehicles, trains, and aircraft.
With drop tanks it could escort bombers deep into Germany. About 15,600 were produced—more than any other US fighter—and it served with American and Allied air forces in virtually every theater of the war.
Specifications
- Manufacturer
- Republic
- Type
- Single-seat fighter / fighter-bomber
- Crew
- 1
- First Flight
- 1941
- Powerplant
- 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial, approx. 2,000–2,300 hp
- Max Speed
- 433 mph
- Range
- 800 mi (combat); over 1,800 mi with drop tanks
- Service Ceiling
- 42,000 ft
- Length
- 36 ft 1 in
- Wingspan
- 40 ft 9 in
- Loaded Weight
- 17,500 lb (max takeoff)
- Armament
- 8 × .50 in machine guns; up to 2,500 lb of bombs or rockets