Republic's immense and powerful P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the truly great fighters of World War II. Designed under the leadership of Alexander Kartveli, the Thunderbolt provided stout protection for the pilot, and its rugged construction and air-cooled engine allowed it to withstand battle damage. Additionally, its .50-caliber machine guns packed a punch in combat. It served effectively in air-to-air combat and bomber escort roles, but what it truly excelled at was ground attack. The P-47 was built in greater numbers (15,683 units) than any other U.S. fighter, including the North American P-51.

The Museum’s aircraft is a P-47D-2-RE model built in Farmingdale, New York. Its wartime history is unknown. It is a "re-imported" aircraft, representing one of the many Thunderbolts that were sent to Latin American countries as part of post-war military assistance programs. The aircraft was delivered to the Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana) in October 1949. For a number of years, it was a "gate guard" at the La Paz, Bolivia airport.

Doug Champlin later acquired the aircraft from Jim Cullen in 1976 and shipped it to Dick Martin of Carlsbad, California for a complete rebuild to airworthiness, which 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.

Serial Number:
42-8205
Registration:
NX14519
Wingspan:
40.78ft
Length:
36ft
Height:
15ft
Wing Area:
300.00ft²
Empty Weight:
10,000lbs
Gross Weight:
17,500lbs
Maximum Speed:
426mph
Power Plant:
One Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine
Range:
1,800miles

Republic's immense and powerful P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the truly great fighters of World War II. Designed under the leadership of Alexander Kartveli, the Thunderbolt provided stout protection for the pilot, and its rugged construction and air-cooled engine allowed it to withstand battle damage. Additionally, its .50-caliber machine guns packed a punch in combat. It served effectively in air-to-air combat and bomber escort roles, but what it truly excelled at was ground attack. The P-47 was built in greater numbers (15,683 units) than any other U.S. fighter, including the North American P-51.

The Museum’s aircraft is a P-47D-2-RE model built in Farmingdale, New York. Its wartime history is unknown. It is a "re-imported" aircraft, representing one of the many Thunderbolts that were sent to Latin American countries as part of post-war military assistance programs. The aircraft was delivered to the Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana) in October 1949. For a number of years, it was a "gate guard" at the La Paz, Bolivia airport.

Doug Champlin later acquired the aircraft from Jim Cullen in 1976 and shipped it to Dick Martin of Carlsbad, California for a complete rebuild to airworthiness, which 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.

Serial Number:
42-8205
Registration:
NX14519
Wingspan:
40.78ft
Length:
36ft
Height:
15ft
Wing Area:
300.00ft²
Empty Weight:
10,000lbs
Gross Weight:
17,500lbs
Maximum Speed:
426mph
Power Plant:
One Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine
Range:
1,800miles

“A grandfather brought his family to the Museum and shared his WWII experiences by the P-47. After 10 minutes of his story telling, the granddaughter said, “Grandpa, I didn’t know you did all that when you were nineteen.” Indeed it was a special moment.”

-Docent