Republic P-47D 'Thunderbolt' SN: 45-49205 REG: N-47RP
Description
  Manufacturer:Republic
  Base model:P-47
  Designation:P-47
  Version:D
  Nickname:Thunderbolt
  Service:U.S. Air Force
  Basic role:Pursuit
  Designation Period:1925-1947
Specifications
  Length: 36' 1" 11.0 m
  Height:14' 8" 4.4 m
  Wingspan: 40' 9" 12.9 m
  Wingarea: 322.0 sq ft 29.9 sq m
  Empty Weight: 11,000 lb 4,988 kg
  Gross Weight: 14,500 lb 9,387 kg
Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-21
  Horsepower (each): 2000
Performance
  Range: 1,030 miles 1,658 km
  Cruise Speed: 350 mph 563 km/h 304 kt
  Max Speed: 420 mph 53 km/h 28 kt
  Ceiling: 42,000 ft 12,801 m

 
 

First flight of the prototype XP-47B was on 6 May 1941. The 56th and 78th Fighter Groups were the first units to use what was the largest and heaviest single engine single seat -fighter produced during World War II. During the war, the T-Bolt served with the USAAF, RAF, Mexico, Brazil, the Free French, and the USSR. Post-war the "Jug" served many air forces into the 1960's. USAF "T-Bolts" served 28 different Air National Guard squadrons until 1955.

The Planes of Fame P-47D was delivered to the USAAF in May 1945 and assigned to Air Material Command until transfer to Peru via the Mutual Defense Assistance Program in 1953. It served the Fuerza Aerea del Peru until 1967. In 1969 it was recovered from Peru by Ed Jurist with five other P-47's and returned to the US by ship. It was based in Texas, California, and Great Britain before coming to Planes of Fame. Named "Big Chief," this P-47D is painted in the markings of the 56th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. The 56th Fighter Group scored more air to air victories than any other 8th Air Force fighter group.