| The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt "The Big Beautiful Jug" |
Perhaps the most significant fighter aircraft of World War II, the Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt fighter was the
largest and most powerful single engine fighter of the war. Production topped any other Allied fighter with 15,683 P-
47’s produced.
The Thunderbolt was known affectionately as the "Jug" by its pilots and ground crews. This was due to the shape of
the fuselage and “milk jug” appearance.
largest and most powerful single engine fighter of the war. Production topped any other Allied fighter with 15,683 P-
47’s produced.
The Thunderbolt was known affectionately as the "Jug" by its pilots and ground crews. This was due to the shape of
the fuselage and “milk jug” appearance.
| "Razorback" Version |
| "Bubble Top" Version |
Two distinctive versions were produced; the earlier "Razorback" and later with a “bubble top” canopy.
The P-47 was unique in many ways. It was the first aircraft of any kind with telescoping landing gear, which allowed
for the fourth machine gun in each wing, the first to utilize chemgum self-sealing fuel tanks, the first to drop napalm
bombs, and the first to fire 5' rockets from wing launchers.
The P-47 was unique in many ways. It was the first aircraft of any kind with telescoping landing gear, which allowed
for the fourth machine gun in each wing, the first to utilize chemgum self-sealing fuel tanks, the first to drop napalm
bombs, and the first to fire 5' rockets from wing launchers.
The P-47 was armed with eight wing mounted Browning .50 caliber machine guns which could deliver 13 pounds of
lead per second. Spent cases and links were ejected from the bottom of the wing. When loaded with armor-
piercing incendiary (API) rounds the .50 caliber did considerable damage to light armored vehicles, trains, and
aircraft.
The P-47D-25 could carry 2500 lbs of external stores; a variety of HE bombs from 100 to 1000 lbs, incendiary
bombs, napalm, and rockets gave the thunderbolt a hard punch.
Seven of the top 10 European Aces flew the P-47 Thunderbolt against the Luftwaffe. Thunderbolt’s knocked 3,752
enemy aircraft out of the air while destroying another 2,800+ on the ground. The heavily armored plane sustained
824 combat losses, only .07% of the Jugs didn't return from a combat mission, the lowest total of any Allied fighter.
The Thunderbolt flew twice as many sorties and dropped 2,010% more tonnage than any other Allied fighter.
Thunderbolt’s dropped 131,482 bombs, fired 135,000+ belts of .50 caliber ammunition and launched 59,565
rockets destroying or damaging 86,000+ railroad cars, 9,000+ locomotives, and over 6,000+ armored vehicles.
The Thunderbolt was a rugged aircraft that could take a lot of damage and bring her pilot home. The Thunderbolt
was the largest and heaviest single engine fighter flown in WW2, yet could fly at 425+ miles per hour straight and
level. Only a thunderbolt pilot can tell you how fast she would do in a dive!
lead per second. Spent cases and links were ejected from the bottom of the wing. When loaded with armor-
piercing incendiary (API) rounds the .50 caliber did considerable damage to light armored vehicles, trains, and
aircraft.
The P-47D-25 could carry 2500 lbs of external stores; a variety of HE bombs from 100 to 1000 lbs, incendiary
bombs, napalm, and rockets gave the thunderbolt a hard punch.
Seven of the top 10 European Aces flew the P-47 Thunderbolt against the Luftwaffe. Thunderbolt’s knocked 3,752
enemy aircraft out of the air while destroying another 2,800+ on the ground. The heavily armored plane sustained
824 combat losses, only .07% of the Jugs didn't return from a combat mission, the lowest total of any Allied fighter.
The Thunderbolt flew twice as many sorties and dropped 2,010% more tonnage than any other Allied fighter.
Thunderbolt’s dropped 131,482 bombs, fired 135,000+ belts of .50 caliber ammunition and launched 59,565
rockets destroying or damaging 86,000+ railroad cars, 9,000+ locomotives, and over 6,000+ armored vehicles.
The Thunderbolt was a rugged aircraft that could take a lot of damage and bring her pilot home. The Thunderbolt
was the largest and heaviest single engine fighter flown in WW2, yet could fly at 425+ miles per hour straight and
level. Only a thunderbolt pilot can tell you how fast she would do in a dive!
The P-47D-25 and later versions were factory
mated with the Hamilton Standard Hydromatic
paddle blade propeller with a 13’ 1 7/8”
diameter. Other models were retro-fitted in the
field with the new props. Introduction of the
paddle blade prop enabled the thunderbolt
amazing climbing and turning ability.
mated with the Hamilton Standard Hydromatic
paddle blade propeller with a 13’ 1 7/8”
diameter. Other models were retro-fitted in the
field with the new props. Introduction of the
paddle blade prop enabled the thunderbolt
amazing climbing and turning ability.
Turning this large propeller was the Pratt &
Whitney R2800 Double Wasp, 18 cylinder
engine. When coupled with the supercharger
and water injection system it developed over
2500 horsepower.
The R2800 was also used in the Navy and
Marine Corps F4U Corsair and F6F Hellcat
Fighters.
Whitney R2800 Double Wasp, 18 cylinder
engine. When coupled with the supercharger
and water injection system it developed over
2500 horsepower.
The R2800 was also used in the Navy and
Marine Corps F4U Corsair and F6F Hellcat
Fighters.
P-47D-25 Specifications:
Dimensions: Wing Span: 40’ 9 5/16”
Length: 35’ 10”
Height: 14’ 9 1/8”
Wing Area: 300 sq. feet
Weights: Empty: 10,000 lbs
Gross: 14,000 lbs
Max: 19,400 lbs
Cruise speed: 260mph
Max level flight speed: 433 mph at 30,000’
375 mph at 10.000'
Landing speed: 106 mph
Climb: 6.2 min to 15,000’
14 min to 30,000’
Service Ceiling: 42,000’
Maximum Range: 950 miles w/o external tanks.
1800 miles with max fuel and external tanks.
Speed, range, and performance all vary dependent
on external stores and weight.
Dimensions: Wing Span: 40’ 9 5/16”
Length: 35’ 10”
Height: 14’ 9 1/8”
Wing Area: 300 sq. feet
Weights: Empty: 10,000 lbs
Gross: 14,000 lbs
Max: 19,400 lbs
Cruise speed: 260mph
Max level flight speed: 433 mph at 30,000’
375 mph at 10.000'
Landing speed: 106 mph
Climb: 6.2 min to 15,000’
14 min to 30,000’
Service Ceiling: 42,000’
Maximum Range: 950 miles w/o external tanks.
1800 miles with max fuel and external tanks.
Speed, range, and performance all vary dependent
on external stores and weight.
| Click on photos of "HUN HUNTER" to see full size image |
| P-47 Maintenance Class Republic Field 1943 Click on photo to view full size |
Flyable P-47D-40RE Thunderbolt that resides at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
The painting of the B-17G in the background is part of a huge mural.
The Air Zoo features a 32- by 900-foot mural, the largest known indoor
mural. Painted by Rick Herter, a well-known and respected aviation artist,
the mural tells the story of aviation history from the first hot-air balloon ride
and the Wright brothers’ inaugural flight to the barnstormers of World War II
and journeys into space.
Mural Statistics
• Size: 25,000 square feet – comparable to 3 football fields in length
(excludes areas covered by attractions)
• Time to complete: 6 months
• Paint: 400 gallons of oil paint
• Number of brushes: More than 200
Click this link to visit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo: www.airzoo.org
The painting of the B-17G in the background is part of a huge mural.
The Air Zoo features a 32- by 900-foot mural, the largest known indoor
mural. Painted by Rick Herter, a well-known and respected aviation artist,
the mural tells the story of aviation history from the first hot-air balloon ride
and the Wright brothers’ inaugural flight to the barnstormers of World War II
and journeys into space.
Mural Statistics
• Size: 25,000 square feet – comparable to 3 football fields in length
(excludes areas covered by attractions)
• Time to complete: 6 months
• Paint: 400 gallons of oil paint
• Number of brushes: More than 200
Click this link to visit the Kalamazoo Air Zoo: www.airzoo.org
| Return to 368th |
| The Tennessee Museum of Aviation in Sevierville east of Knoxville has two flying P-47D-40RE's "HUN HUNTER XVI" & "WICKED WABBIT" |
| I had the pleasure of watching "HUN HUNTER" fly on April 2nd, 2006. Beautiful museum, I would highly recommend visiting if you are in the area. Their collection also includes General Jimmy Doolittle's Medal of Honor. Visit their website at this link: http://www.tnairmuseum.com |
| "HUN HUNTER" taxis out |
