Republic P-47D (F-47) Thunderbolt
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Manufacturer: Republic Model: P-47D Thunderbolt Span: 12.43m / 41ft Year: 1942 Length: 11.02m / 36ft Height: 4.44m / 15ft Wing Area: 27.87m² / 300ft² Short Title: Republic P-47D Empty Weight: 4536kg / 10,000lbs Gross Weight: 7938kg / 17,500lbs Maximum Speed: 685.43km/h Power Plant: One Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine Registration: NX14519 Range: 2896.2km / 1,800miles Serial Number: 42-8205    |
Republic P-47D (F-47) Thunderbolt Republic's immense and powerful P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the truly great fighters of World War II. Designed by Alexander Kartveli, the P-47 was to play a major role in World War II and be built in greater numbers than any other U.S. fighter, including the North American P-51. In combat, the P-47 was an effective air-to-air fighter -- but it was an even more effective air-to-ground weapon. It had great diving speed and a tremendous payload capacity. The Museum of Flight's P-47D is a "re-imported" aircraft representing just one of the many Thunderbolts that were sent to Latin American countries as part of post-war military assistance programs. For a number of years, this P-47D was a gate guardian at the La Paz, Bolivia airport. Doug Champlin later acquired the aircraft from Jim Cullen in 1976 and shipped it off to Dick Martin of Carlsbad, California for a complete rebuild. The latter was completed in 1981. The aircraft was restored in the markings of Colonel Robert Baseler's 325th Fighter Group aircraft (famous for their "checker tail" paint scheme). |
