The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. It was a successful high-altitude fighter, and it also served as the foremost American fighter-bomber in the ground-attack role.

The P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II fighter aircraft built by Republic Aviation from 1941 to 1945. XP-47 model during wind tunnel testing. In response to a USAAC requirement for a new fighter aircraft, Republic Aviation engineer Alexander Kartveli proposed the AP-10 lightweight high-altitude interceptor on August 1, 1939. [1] .

Nov 24, 2020 · Looking at the shiny aluminum fuselage of the P-47, it’s easy to see why World War II pilots relied so much on this aircraft.

Apr 20, 2015 · Nicknamed the “Jug” (short for “Juggernaut”) by adoring pilots, the P-47 was a heavyweight warbird — and one that packed a devastating punch. More than 15,600 Thunderbolts were manufactured between 1941 and 1945 and they served in every theatre of the war performing a variety of missions from bomber escort to close air support.

Jan 24, 2025 · P-47, fighter and fighter-bomber used by the Allied air forces during World War II. A single-seat low-wing fighter developed for the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) by Republic Aviation, it was the largest single-engined piston fighter ever produced.

Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter to go into production and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph. The Thunderbolt performed 546,000 combat sorties between March of 1943 and August 1945 and is considered the real forerunner of today's multirole fighters.

The P-47 was a behemoth. Before it was loaded with three tons of fuel, bombs, and ammunition, it was five tons of aluminum, steel, magnesium, and rubber. The Thunderbolt was America’s biggest and most expensive single-engine fighter of the war.

Affectionately nicknamed "Jug," the P-47 was one of the most famous AAF fighter planes of World War II. Although originally conceived as a lightweight interceptor, the P-47 developed as a heavyweight fighter and made its first flight on May 6, 1941.

The P-47 was the best escort fighter available to the Eighth Air Force when they began the strategic bombing offensive against Nazi Germany. From the spring of 1943, P-47 Thunderbolts protected bomber fleets, and inflicted heavy losses against the Luftwaffe.

When fully armed, a P-47 Thunderbolt could deliver about half the payload of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Designed by Alexander Kartveli, and built by Republic Aviation (Curtiss built 354 “G” models late in the war), the first prototype flew in June 1941.