Republic P-47 Thunderbolt WW2 Fighter

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter or 'Jug' was designed by Russian born Alexander de Seversky and Alexander Kartveli, the XP-47 started life as an Allison powered design of only half it's eventual weight but in response to lessons being learnt in the air war in Europe was totally re-designed around the massive Double Wasp radial engine as the XP-47B, a 47C version with a lengthened fuselage was also developed to increase manoeuvrability.

The first Thunderbolts to see service were with the USAAF's Eighth Air Force in the European theatre in April 1943 and within two months were also in combat in the Pacific. The P-47C and P-47G design was improved slightly and re-designated the P-47D. Late model P-47D's and all following versions of the Thunderbolt P-47 were fitted with a RAF style Bubble Canopy for improved visibility.

When in December 1945 production of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt ended over 15,000 aircraft had been built making it one of the most produced fighter aircraft in history, 10,000 still remained in serviceable condition at the end of WW2 and served in many air-forces around the world well in to the late 1960's.
 

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Specifications:

• Crew: Pilot only

• Length: 36 ft 1 in (11.00 m)

• Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in (12.44 m)

• Height: 14 ft 7 in (4.45 m)
  Maximum weight: 17,500 lb (7,935 kg)

• Engine: Single 2,535 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 twin-row radial

• Maximum speed: 426 mph at 30,000 ft (685 km/h at 9,145 m)

• Maximum Range: 800 miles combat (1,290 km)

• Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,100 m)

• Rate of climb: 3,120 ft/min (15.9 m/s)

Armament:

• Eight 0.5 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2 machine guns

• Maximum of 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs

• Ten 5 in air-to-ground rocket projectiles