The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was designed by Alexander Kartveli in response to a USAAC requirement for an interceptor in the Spitfire and Bf.109 class. The prototype first flew in 1941 and was followed by the P-47B (171 built) powered by a 2000hp(1491kW) Pratt & Whitney and with a maximum take-off weight of 13,360lb (6060kg). The P-47C (602 built) had a longer fuselage and was powered by the 2300hp P & W. The P-47G (354 built) was the P-47D built by Curtiss-Wright. The final Thunderbolt variants were the P-47M (130 built) which was powered by a 2800hp(2088kW) Pratt & Whitney and the P-47N (1816 built) similarly powered which was a long range version for service in the Pacific. Although the USAAC requirement was for a lightweight fighter, the Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest single engined fighters of World War 11. It entered combat service in early 1942 and saw action in almost every theatre of the war. Examples were operated by Brazil (50), France (446), Soviet Union (203), UK (830) and Mexico . After the war it soldiered on with the Air National Guard until 1954 and with various small air forces including Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru until the early 1960’s. About 12 examples remain airworthy including examples of the P-47D, P-47G and P-47N.

N5087V                c/n "42-23278"                   USA

Single seat fighter first flown in 1942

Engine: 2300lb(1715kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-21W                                                                   Length: 36’1.5"(11.01m)                                                                                     Height: 14’2"(4.32m)Wingspan: 40’9"(12.42m)                                                                                          No.built: 12,602 Range: 475miles(764km)                                                               Cruising speed: 300mph(482kmh) Empty weight: 10,000lb(4536kg)                                        Maximum take-off weight: 19,400lb(8800kg)