PTO Pacific Theater of Operations P-47 Thunderbolt mixed photographs

 43-25327 P-47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG19FS Big Squaw flown by John H Payne at Saipan 20th Jul 1944 NA1118

Photo description: P-47D-20-RA 43-25327 "Big Squaw" 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group. Flown by John "Jack" H. Payne, Jr., although it is not certain if he is pictured in the cockpit here. "Big Squaw" was later ditched on Saipan after Payne suffered battle damage during a mission over Tinian. Pilots Of The 19Th Fighter Squadron, 319Th Fighter Group, Use This Oxen And Cart To Carry Them To And From Their Planes. Here One Of The Pilots Sits In The Cockpit Of His Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 'Bis Squaw' After Being Transported By The Cart. Saipan

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204972625 Local ID: 342-FH-3A39030-65283AC

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 58FG Mexican Air Force's 201 Squadron Mindoro Philippines August 1945 NA511

Photo description: P-47D of the Mexican Air Force's 201 Squadron, which was attached to the AAF's 58th FG. Maintenance Of A Republic P-47 'Thunderbolt'. Mindoro, Philippine Islands. August 1945. (U.S. Air Force Number 61243AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204951861 Local ID: 342-FH-3A30676-61243AC

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG73FS Dee icer during engine maintenance Saipan Marianas 15th July 1944 NA015

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG73FS Dee icer during engine maintenance Saipan Marianas 15th July 1944 NA651

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG73FS Dee icer during engine maintenance Saipan Marianas 15th July 1944 NA649

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG73FS Dee icer during engine maintenance Saipan Marianas 15th July 1944 NA647

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG73FS Dee icer during engine maintenance Saipan Marianas 15th July 1944 NA645

Photo description: Mechanics of the 73rd Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, changing motor of the Republic P-47 'Dee-icer' Saipan Marianas Islands 15 July 1944 (U.S. Air Force Number 63784AC); (U.S. Air Force Number 63778AC); (U.S. Air Force Number 63779AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA651 NAID: 204975327 Local ID: 342-FH-3A39666-63784AC

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA647 NAID: 204975321 Local ID: 342-FH-3A39664-63777AC

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA015 NAID: 204976432 Local ID: 342-FH-3A40311-63779AC

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA645 NAID: 204975318 Local ID: 342-FH-3A39663-63776AC

 42-75357 P-47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG73FS Saipan Marianna Islands 15th July 1944 NA202

 42-23024 P-47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG73FS White 33 Saipan Marianna Islands 15th July 1944 NA202

Photo description: Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt" of the 73rd Fighter aquadron, 318th Fighter Group, at an airfield on Saipan, Marianas Islands. 15 July 1344 (U.S. Air Force Number 62950AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204972904 Local ID: 342-FH-3A38578-62950AC

 42-7534x P-47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG73FS White 06 Bellows Field Oahu Hawaii 15th May 1944 NA966

Photo description: Air Force Mechanics Of The 318Th Fighter Group Repairing Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt" At Bellows Field, Oahu, Hawaii. 15 May 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number B63562AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978244 Local ID: 342-FH-3A40849-B63562ACC

 42-23024 P-47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG73FS White 33 Bellows Field Oahu Hawaii 15th May 1944 NA988

Photo description: Air Force Mechanics Of The 318Th Fighter Group At Work On Republic P-47 'Thunderbolts', Bellows Field, Oahu, Hawaii. 15 May 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number 63562AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978247 Local ID: 342-FH-3A40861-63562AC

 42-27666 P-47D Thunderbolt 15FG Black 204 at Bellows Field Hawaii 29th Jun 1944 NA614

 42-27665 P-47D Thunderbolt 15FG Black 227 at Bellows Field Hawaii 29th Jun 1944 NA615

 42-27666 P-47D Thunderbolt 15FG Black 204 at Bellows Field Hawaii 29th Jun 1944 NA583

Photo description: NA614 Republic P-47 leaving the ground with smoke bombs under each wing.-NEW GUINEA (U.S. Air Force Number B52963AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA614 NAID: 204956004 Local ID: 342-FH-3A32243-B52963AC; Republic P-47 sitting on the line at Bellows Field, Hawaii. The crew chief, S/Sgt. Ray L. Wilt, Bellington, W. Va., is on the wing of the plane. (U.S. Air Force Number 52963AC); Republic P-47 taking off with M-10 and M-33 tanks attached. (U.S. Air Force Number A52966AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA583 NAID: 204956004 Local ID: 342-FH-3A32243-B52963AC

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA614 NAID: 204956000 Local ID: 342-FH-3A32223-52963AC

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NA615 NAID: 204956006 Local ID: 342-FH-3A32244-A52966AC

 43-25439 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Z Gail Ann transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA354

Photo description: In preparation for the move to Saipan, a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is lowered on the deck of the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay" docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 1 June 1944 (U.S. Air Force Number 63539AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978819 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41164-63539AC

 43-25439 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Z Gail Ann transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA356

Photo description: In preparation for the move to Saipan, a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is lowered on the deck of the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay" docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 1 June 1944 (U.S. Air Force Number A63539AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978822 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41165-A63539AC

 42-75791 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS H Midge transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA358

Photo description: In preparation for the move to Saipan, a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is lowered on the deck of the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay" docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 1 June 1944* (U.S. Air Force Number B63539AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978825 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41166-B63539AC

 43-25440 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Barbara Ann transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA360

Photo description:A Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is lowered to hangar deck by carrier elevator on the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay" docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. About 10 planes were stowed on the hangar deck and 26 were parked on the deck during transfer to Saipan. 1 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number C63539AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978828 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41167-C63539AC

 43-25327 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS E Big Squaw transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA362

Photo description: Men attach cable and hook to a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt which is to be loaded on the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay" docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The carrier will ferry the planes to Saipan. 1 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number 63540AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978831 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41168-63540AC

 43-25327 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS E Big Squaw transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA364

Photo description: A crane lifts a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt aboard the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay", docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The carrier will ferry the planes to Saipan. 1 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number A63540AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978834 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41169-A63540AC

 43-25402 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Smokepole transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA366

Photo description: A Republic P-47 is lowered onto the deck of the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay," docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The carrier will ferry the planes to Saipan. 1 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number B63540AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978837 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41170-B63540AC

 43-25402 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Smokepole transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA368

Photo description: Republic P-47 Thunderbolts are pushed into place on the deck of the aircraft carrier “Natoma Bay", which will ferry the planes to Saipan. Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 1 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number C63540AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978840 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41171-C63540AC

 42-75786 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Noble Norma transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA370

Photo description: Republic P-47 "Noble Norma" is lowered onto the deck of the aircraft carrier "Natoma Bay", docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The carrier will ferry this plane and others to Saipan. 1 June 1944# (U.S. Air Force Number 63542AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978843 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41172-63542AC

 42-75779 P-47D Thunderbolts 7AF 318FG19FS Patricia transfer to Saipan via CVE-62 USS Natoma Bay 1st Jun 1944 NA372

Photo description: Man attaches hook and cable to the Republic P-47 "Patricia". The plane will be swung over onto the deck of the aircraft carrier "Natoraa Bay", docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The carrier will ferry this plane and other P-47*s to Saipan. 1 June 1944. (U.S. Air Force Number A63542AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204978846 Local ID: 342-FH-3A41173-A63542AC

 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG333FS Air Cooled Injun nose art Saipan Feb 1945 NARA807

Photo description: P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG333FS Air Cooled Injun nose art Saipan Feb 1945 NARA. (U.S. Air Force Number 54612AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204991326 Local ID: 342-FH-3A45715-54612AC

 Republic P 47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG Miss Mary Lou Isley Field, Saipan 15th May 1944 NARA808

 Republic P 47D Thunderbolt 7AF 318FG Miss Mary Lou Isley Field, Saipan 15th May 1944 NARA809

Photo description: P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG333FS Air Cooled Injun nose art Saipan Feb 1945 NARA. (U.S. Air Force Number 54626AC) (U.S. Air Force Number A54632AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204991328 Local ID: 342-FH-3A45716-54626AC
Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204991330 Local ID: 342-FH-3A45717-A54632AC

 Republic P 47D Thunderbolt 318FG19FS Joey nose art Saipan Feb 1945 NARA810

Photo description: (U.S. Air Force Number B54632AC) (U.S. Air Force Number 54637AC)

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204991332 Local ID: 342-FH-3A45718-B54632AC

 43-25439 P-47D Thunderbolt 318FG19FS Gail Ann C taking off Saipan Feb 1945 NARA811

Photo Source: National Archives Identifier NAID: 204991334 Local ID: 342-FH-3A45719-54637AC

USAAF 5th Air Force emblem

Fifth Air Force

Constituted as Philippine Department AF on 16 Aug 1941. Activated in the Philippines on 20 Sep 1941. Redesignated Far East AF in Oct 1941, and Fifth AF in Feb 1942. This air force lost most of its men and equipment in the defense of the Philippines after 7 Dec 1941. Later in Dec 1941 headquarters and some crews and planes moved to Australia, and in Jan 1942 they were sent to Java to help delay Japanese advances in the Netherlands Indies. The Fifth did not function as an air force for some time after Feb 1942 (the AAF organizations in the Southwest Pacific being under the control of American-British-Dutch-Australian Command and later Allied Air Forces). Headquarters was remanned in Sep 1942 and assumed control of AAF organizations in Australia and New Guinea. The Fifth participated in operations that stopped the Japanese drive in Papua, recovered New Guinea, neutralized islands in the Bismarck Archipelago and the Netherlands East Indies, and liberated the Philippines. When the war ended in Aug 1945 elements of the Fifth were moving to the Ryukyus for the invasion of Japan. After the war the Fifth, a component of Far East Air Forces, remained in the theater, and from Jun 1950 to Jul 1953 it was engaged in the Korean War.

Commands. V Bomber: 1941-1946. V Fighter: 1942-1946.

Stations. Nichols Field, Luzon, 20 Sep 1941; Darwin, Australia, Dec 1941; Java, Jan-Feb 1942; Brisbane, Australia, 3 Sep 1942; Nadzab, New Guinea, 15 Jun 1944; Owl, Schouten Islands, 10 Aug 1944; Leyte, c. 20 Nov 1944; Mindoro, Jan 1945; Clark Field, Luzon, Apr 1945; Okinawa, Jul 1945; Irumagawa, Japan, c. 25 Sep 1945; Tokyo, Japan, 13 Jan 1946; Nagoya, Japan, 20 May 1946; Seoul, Korea, 1 Dec 1950; Taegu, Korea, 22 Dec 1950; Seoul, Korea, 15 Jun 1951; Osan-Ni, Korea, 25 Jan 1954; Nagoya, Japan, 1 Sep 1954-.

Commanders. Brig Gen Henry B Clagett, 20 Sep 1941; Maj Gen Lewis H Brereton, Oct 1941-Feb 1942; Lt Gen George C Kenney, 3 Sep 1942; Lt Gen Ennis C Whitehead, 15 Jun 1944; Maj Gen Kenneth B Wolfe, 4 Oct 1945; Maj Gen Thomas D White, 16 Jan 1948; Lt Gen Earle E Partridge, 6 Oct 1948; Maj Gen Edward J Timberlake, 21 May 1951; Maj Gen Frank F Everest, 1 Jun 1951; Lt Gen Glenn O Barcus, 30 May 1952; Lt Gen Samuel E Anderson, 31 May 1953; Lt Gen Roger M Ramey, 1 Jun 1954-.

Campaigns. World War II: Philippine Islands; East Indies; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; Papua; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Offensive. Korean War: UN Defensive; UN Offensive; CCF Intervention; 1st UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1953-

Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Philippine Islands, 8-22 Dec 1941; Philippine Islands, 7 Dec 1941-10 May 1942; Papua, [Sep] 1942-23 Jan 1943. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

Insigne. On an ultramarine blue disc, the Southern Cross consisting of five stars in white between a flaming comet, the head consisting of a white five pointed star, charged with a red roundel, within a blue disc outlined in white, its tall consisting of three white streamers; all surmounted by an Arabic numeral "5," golden orange. (Approved 25 Mar 1943.)

USAAF 7th Air Force emblem

Seventh Air Force

Constituted as Hawaiian AF on 19 Oct 1940. Activated in Hawaii on 1 Nov 1940. Redesignated Seventh AF in Feb 1942. Provided air defense for the Hawaiian Islands and, after mid-1943, served in combat in the central and western Pacific areas. Transferred back to Hawaii in Jan 1946. Redesignated Pacific Air Command in Dec 1947. Discontinued on 1 Jun 1949.

Redesignated Seventh AF. Activated in Hawaii on 5 Jan 1955. Assigned to Far East Air Forces.

Commands. VII Bomber: 1942-1946. VII Fighter: 1942-1945.

Stations. Ft Shafter, TH, 1 Nov 1940; Hickam Field, TH, c. 12 Jul 1941; Saipan, 13 Dec 1944; Okinawa, 14 Jul 1945; Hickam Field, TH, 1 Jan 1941-Jun 1949. Hickam AFB, TH, 5 Jan 1955; Wheeler AFB, TH, 24 Mar 1955-.

Commanders. Maj Gen Frederick L Martin, 2 Nov 1940; Maj Gen Clarence L Tinker, 18 Dec 1941; Brig Gen Howard C Davidson, 9 Jun 1942; Maj Gen Willis H Hale, 20 Jun 1942; Maj Gen Robert W Douglass Jr, 15 Apr 1944; Maj Gen Thomas D White, 23 Jun 1945; Brig Gen Donald F Stace, 19 Oct 1946; Maj Gen Ralph H Wooten, 22 May 1947; Brig Gen Robert F Travis, 1 Sep 1948-1 Jun 1949. Maj Gen Sory Smith, 5 Jan 1955; Brig Gen Julian M Chappell, 25 Jul 1955-.

Campaigns. Central Pacific; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Ryukyus; China Offensive.

Decorations. None.

Insigne. On a blue disc a golden orange Arabic numeral "7" enfiled in base by a white five-pointed star charged with a red disc, in perspective, all within a golden orange border. (Approved 21 May 1943.)

318th Fighter Group

Constituted as 318th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 2 Feb 1942. Redesignated 318th Fighter Group in May 1942. Activated in Hawaii on 15 Oct 1942. Assigned to Seventh AF. Trained and flew patrols, using P-39, P-40, and P-47 aircraft. Moved to the Marianas in Jun 1944. Supported ground forces on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam; attacked enemy airfields; flew protective patrols over US bases; and, using some P-38's acquired in Nov 1944, flew missions to the Volcano and Truk Islands to escort bombers and to attack Japanese bases. Moved to the Ryukyu Islands in Apr 1945. Used P-47's to bomb and strafe airfields, railroad bridges, and industrial plants in Japan, escort bombers to China, and provide air defense for US bases in the Ryukyus. Assigned to Eighth AF in Aug 1945, shortly after V-J Day. Moved to the US, Dec 1945-Jan 1946. Inactivated on 12 Jan 1946.

Redesignated 102d Fighter Group. Allotted to ANG (Mass) on 24 May 1946. Extended federal recognition on 22 Oct 1946. Redesignated 102d Fighter-Interceptor Group in Aug 1952.

Squadrons. 19th: 1943-1946. 44th: 1942-1943. 72d: 1942-1944. 73d: 1942-1946. 333d: 1943-1946.

Stations. Hickam Field, TH, 15 Oct 1942; Bellows Field, TH, 9 Feb 1943; Saipan, Jun 1944; Ie Shima, c. 30 Apr 1945; Okinawa, Nov-Dec 1945; Ft Lewis, Wash, 11-12 Jan 1946.

Commanders. Col Lorry N Tindal, 20 Oct 1942; Lt Col Charles B Stewart, 3 Mar 1943; Col Lewis M Sanders, 21 Aug 1943; Lt Col Harry C McAfee, 31 Jul 1945; Maj Glen H Kramer, 5 Oct 1945; Maj Burton M Woodward, 22 Oct 1945-unkn.

Campaigns. Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific Ryukyus; China Offensive.

Decorations. None.

Insigne Shield: The upper part blue, with one small aircraft gray with white trail; the center part a portion of the globe showing the Northeastern portion of the Western Hemisphere in green and light blue with the North Pole in white and across it the front part of a gray aircraft: with white outline and cockpit, firing three black rockets, tail flashes red, trails white, all headed toward upper right; in lower part on a bank of white clouds two small black aircraft climbing vertically, all within a red border. Motto: Omnis Vir Tigris - Every Man a Tiger. (Approved 11 Jan 1954.)

Operational history

Operational history

US service

By the end of 1942, P-47Cs were sent to England for combat operations. The initial Thunderbolt flyers, 56th Fighter Group, was sent overseas to join the 8th Air Force. As the P-47 Thunderbolt worked up to operational status, it gained a nickname: the "Jug" (because its profile was similar to that of a common milk jug of the time).[Note 4] Two Fighter Groups already stationed in England began introducing the Jugs in January 1943: the Spitfire-flying 4th Fighter Group, a unit built around a core of experienced American pilots who had flown in the RAF Eagle Squadrons prior to the US entry in the war; and the 78th Fighter Group, formerly flying P-38 Lightnings.

Beginning in January 1943, Thunderbolt fighters were sent to the joint Army Air Forces - civilian Millville Airport in Millville, New Jersey in order to train civilian and military pilots.

The first P-47 combat mission took place 10 March 1943 when the 4th FG took their aircraft on a fighter sweep over France. The mission was a failure due to radio malfunctions. All P-47s were refitted with British radios, and missions resumed 8 April. The first P-47 air combat took place 15 April with Major Don Blakeslee of the 4th FG scoring the Thunderbolt's first air victory (against a Focke-Wulf Fw 190).

By mid-1943, the Jug was also in service with the 12th Air Force in Italy[13] and against the Japanese in the Pacific, with the 348th Fighter Group flying missions out of Port Moresby, New Guinea. By 1944, the Thunderbolt was in combat with the USAAF in all its operational theaters except Alaska.

Luftwaffe ace Heinz Bär said that the P-47 "could absorb an astounding amount of lead [from shooting at it] and had to be handled very carefully".[14]

Although the North American P-51 Mustang replaced the P-47 in the long-range escort role in Europe, the Thunderbolt still ended the war with 3,752 air-to-air kills claimed in over 746,000 sorties of all types, at the cost of 3,499 P-47s to all causes in combat.[15] By the end of the war, the 56th FG was the only 8th Air Force unit still flying the P-47, by preference, instead of the P-51. The unit claimed 677.5 air victories and 311 ground kills, at the cost of 128 aircraft.[16] Lieutenant Colonel Francis S. Gabreski scored 28 victories,[17] Captain Robert S. Johnson scored 27 (with one unconfirmed probable kill leading to some giving his tally as 28),[18] and 56th FG Commanding Officer Colonel Hubert Zemke scored 17.75 kills.[Note 5] Despite being the sole remaining P-47 group in the 8th Air Force, the 56th FG remained its top-scoring group in aerial victories throughout the war.

With increases in fuel capacity as the type was refined, the range of escort missions over Europe steadily increased until the P-47 was able to accompany bombers in raids all the way into Germany. On the way back from the raids, pilots shot up ground targets of opportunity, and also used belly shackles to carry bombs on short-range missions, which led to the realization that the P-47 could perform a dual-function on escort missions as a fighter-bomber. Even with its complicated turbosupercharger system, its sturdy airframe and tough radial engine could absorb a lot of damage and still return home.

The P-47 gradually became the USAAF's primary fighter-bomber, by late 1943, early versions of the P-47D carrying 500 lb (230 kg) bombs underneath their bellies, mid production versions of the P-47D could carry 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs and M8 4.5 in (115 mm) rockets under their wings or from the last version of the P-47D in 1944, 5 in (130 mm) High velocity aircraft rockets (HVARs, also known as "Holy Moses"). From D-Day until VE day, Thunderbolt pilots claimed to have destroyed 86,000 railroad cars, 9,000 locomotives, 6,000 armored fighting vehicles, and 68,000 trucks.[20] During Operation Cobra, in the vicinity of Roncey, P-47 Thunderbolts of the 405th Fighter group destroyed a German column of 122 tanks, 259 other vehicles, and 11 artillery pieces.[21]

Specifications (P-47D-40 Thunderbolt)

Data from [61]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 36 ft 1.75 in (11.0173 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 9+5⁄16 in (12.429 m)
Height: 14 ft 8+1⁄16 in (4.472 m)
Airfoil: Seversky S-3[62]
Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
Propellers: 4-bladed Curtiss Electric C542S constant-speed propeller, 13 ft 0 in (3.96 m) diameter

Performance

Maximum speed: 426 mph (686 km/h, 370 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
Range: 1,030 mi (1,660 km, 900 nmi)
Service ceiling: 42,000 ft (13,000 m)

Armament

Guns:
Eight .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (3400 rounds)
Up to 2,500 lb (1,100 kg) of bombs
Ten 5 in (130 mm) unguided rockets

 Flight Simulators
 

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 Royal Air Force Debden Map

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    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Notes

  1. Fairchild Republic was the most recent incarnation of the original Republic aerospace company, now considered defunct.[2]
  2. The P-47 can trace its lineage back to earlier Seversky designs: P-35, XP-41, P-43 and the unbuilt P-44.[3]
  3. After a change in the board of directors, Alexander P. de Seversky was removed from the newly reorganized Republic Aviation company, with former Managing Director Wallace Kellett taking over as CEO.[5]
  4. Historians argue that the nickname 'Jug' was short for 'Juggernaut' when aviators began using the longer word as an alternate nickname.[11] Another nickname that was used for the Thunderbolt was "T-bolt".[12]
  5. Zemke flew a P-38 for three of his kills.[19]
  6. Quentin C. Aanenson documented his experiences flying the Thunderbolt on D-Day and subsequently in the European Theater in his documentary, A Fighter Pilot's Story (also released as Dogfight.).

    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Citations

  1. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. aviation-history.
  2. Rummerman, Judy. Fairchild Republic. Archived 2011-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Centennial of Flight Commission, 2003.
  3. Dorr and Donald 1990, pp. 84-85, 88.
  4. Dwyer, Larry. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Aviation History Online Museum, 11 November 2010.
  5. Alexander de Seversky, Russian Ace of World War One, Aircraft Designer & Founder of Republic Aviation. acepilots.com, 2003.
  6. Republic XP-47B Thunderbolt. www.joebaugher.com.
  7. The Turbosupercharger and the Airplane Power Plant. General Electric, January, 1943.
  8. P-47 Thunderbolt. TopFighters.com.
  9. Masefield, Peter. First Analysis of the Thunderbolt. Flying, August 1943, p. 190.
  10. Green 1961, p. 173.
  11. Graff 2007, p. 53.
  12. Air Force Association 1998, p. 110.
  13. Bernstein, Jonathan (2012). 1. P-47 Thunderbolt Units of the Twelfth Air Force. Botley, Oxfordshire: Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 9781849086721.
  14. Rymaszewski, Michael (July 1994). Playing Your Aces. Computer Gaming World. pp. 101-105.
  15. Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. Archived 2007-03-24 at the Wayback Machine Museum of Flight.
  16. 8th Air Force 56th FG. Archived 2006-06-12 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, 18 June 2004.
  17. Francis S. 'Gabby' Gabreski. USAF Air University, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, 17 April 2006.
  18. Rose, Scott. Robert S. Johnson. Warbirds Resource Group, 11 June 2006.
  19. Col. Hubert 'Hub' Zemke. Acepilots.com, 29 July 2003.
  20. Republic P-47D-30-RA Thunderbolt (Long Description). Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
  21. Zaloga p.65
  22. Berliner 2011, p. 20.
  23. Air Power History. goliath.ecnext.com.
  24. RAF Thunderbolts, Flight: 600 (photo caption), 7 December 1944
  25. Republic P-47D Thunderbolt II, RAF Museum
  26. Dias de Cunha, Rudnei. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. www.rudnei.cunha.nom.br.
  27. Sinopse e Créditos. 10 December 2004. Archived from the original on 10 December 2004.
  28. Velasco, E. Alfonso, Jr. Aztec Eagle - P-47D of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force. IPMS Stockholm, 9 January 2006.
  29. Sgarlato 2005.
  30. Hardesty 1991, p. 253.
  31. Gordon 2008, p. 449.
  32. http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal13/12201-12300/gal12272-P-47-Heeps/00.shtm
  33. Merriam, Ray (2017). World War 2 in Review: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. New York: Merriam Press. ISBN 9781365884856.
  34. Bergerud 2000, pp. 269-70.
  35. Spick 1983, p. 96.
  36. Caldwell 2007, p. 89.
  37. Sims, Edward H. American Aces of World War II, London: Macdonald, 1958.
  38. Sims 1980, pp. 160-61.
  39. Jordan, C. C. Pushing The Envelope With Test Pilot Herb Fisher. Planes and Pilots of WW2, 2000.
  40. Sims 1980, pp. 134-35.
  41. Colonel Neel Earnest Kearby. Archived 2004-10-17 at the Wayback Machine Air Force History, Air Force Historical Studies Office, 20 January 2004.
  42. Hallion, Richard (August 15, 2014). D-Day 1944 - Air Power Over The Normandy Beaches And Beyond. Pickle Partners Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78289887-0.
  43. Barnes 1989, p. 432.
  44. Achtung! Jabos! The Story of the IX TAC. Stars & Stripes, U.S. Army, 1944.
  45. Page 4 illustration of M10 triple-tube launcher, iBiblio.
  46. Dunn, Carle E. (LTC). Army Aviation and Firepower. Archived 2008-12-23 at the Wayback Machine Army, May 2000.
  47. Hagedorn 1991, p. 37.
  48. P-47 Thunderbolt/42-19663. Warbirds Resource Group.
  49. P-47 Thunderbolt/42-26450. Warbirds Resource Group.
  50. P-47 Thunderbolt/42-26757. Warbirds Resource Group.
  51. P-47 Thunderbolt/42-26762. Warbirds Resource Group.
  52. P-47 Thunderbolt/45-49151. Warbirds Resource Group.
  53. P-47 Thunderbolt/45-49219. Warbirds Resource Group.
  54. P-47 Thunderbolt/45-49509. Warbirds Resource Group.
  55. Lake 2002, p. 162.
  56. Lake 2002, p. 163.
  57. Lake 2002, p. 164.
  58. Klemen, L. 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron. The Netherlands East Indies 1941-1942.
  59. Lake 2002, p. 165.
  60. Republic F-47D-40-RE Thunderbolt. Aeronautical Museum-Belgrade.
  61. Davis, Larry (1984). P-47 Thunderbolt in Action. Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-89747-161-X.
  62. Lednicer, David. The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage. m-selig.ae.illinois.edu.
  63. Hayward, James. USAAF at War (1942-45): Audiobook CD on CD41 label. ltmrecordings.com.
  64. Rarey, George (June 1996). Laughter and Tears: A Combat Pilot's Sketchbook of World War II Squadron Life. ISBN 1-56550-057-1.
  65. Unbreakable World War II aircraft that were shot to hell—and came back. By Cory Graff Air & Space Magazine
  66. Thunderbolt (1947). imdb.com.
  67. Fighter Squadron (1948). imdb.com.
  68. P-47 Thunderbolt Named Official State Aircraft of Indiana. WFIE-TV. June 24, 2015.

    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Bibliography:

  • Air Force Fifty. Nashville, Tennessee: Turner Publishing (Air Force Association), 1998 (limited edition). ISBN 1-56311-409-7.
  • Barnes, Frank C. Cartridges of the World. Fairfield, Ohio: DBI Books, 1989. ISBN 978-0-87349-605-6.
  • Berliner, Don. Surviving Fighter Aircraft of World War Two: Fighters. London: Pen & Sword Aviation, 2011. ISBN 978-1-8488-4265-6.
  • Bergerud, Eric M. Fire in the Sky. Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8133-3869-7.
  • Bodie, Warren M. Republic's P-47 Thunderbolt: From Seversky to Victory. Hiawassee, Georgia: Widewing Publications, 1994. ISBN 0-9629359-1-3.
  • Bull, Steven. Encyclopedia of Military Technology and Innovation. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood, 2004. ISBN 978-1-57356-557-8.
  • Cain, Charles W. and Mike Gerram.Fighters of World War II. London: Profile Publications, 1979.
  • Caldwell, Donald L.; Muller, Richard R. (2007). The Luftwaffe over Germany: Defense of the Reich. London, UK: Greenhill Books. ISBN 978-1-85367-712-0.
  • Davis, Larry. P-47 Thunderbolt in Action, Squadron/Signal Publications (#67). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1984. ISBN 0-89747-161-X.
  • Donald, David, ed. American Warplanes of the Second World War. London: Airtime Publications, 1995. ISBN 1-84013-392-9.
  • Dorr, Robert F. and David Donald. Fighters of the United States Air Force. London: Temple, 1990. ISBN 0-600-55094-X.
  • Freeman, Roger A. 56th Fighter Group. Oxford, UK: Osprey, 2000. ISBN 1-84176-047-1.
  • Freeman, Roger A. Camouflage and Markings 15: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt U.S.A.A.F., E.T.O. And M.T.O. 1942-1945 (Ducimus Classic). London: Ducimus Books, 1971.
  • Freeman, Roger A. Thunderbolt: A Documentary History of the Republic P-47. London: Macdonald and Jane's, 1978. ISBN 0-354-01166-9.
  • "Goebel, Greg. ""The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt."" Air Vectors, April 2009."
  • Gordon, Yefim. Soviet Air Power in World War 2. Hinkley, UK: Midland/Ian Allan Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-85780-304-4.
  • Graff, Cory. P-47 Thunderbolt at War (The At War Series). St. Paul, Minnesota: Zenith Press, 2007. ISBN 978-0-7603-2948-1.
  • Green, William. Fighters Vol. 2 (Warplanes of the Second World War). New York: Doubleday and Company Inc., 1961.
  • Guillemin, Sébastien. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (Les Materiels de l'Armée de L'Air 4) (in French). Paris: Histoire et Collections, 2007. ISBN 978-2-915239-90-4.
  • Gunston, Bill. Aircraft of World War 2. London: Octopus Books Limited, 1980. ISBN 0-7064-1287-7.
  • Hagedorn, Dan. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt: The Final Chapter: Latin American Air Forces Service. St. Paul, Minnesota: Phalanx Publishing Co. Ltd., 1991. ISBN 0-9625860-1-3.
  • Hardesty, Von. Red Phoenix: The Rise of Soviet Air Power 1941-1945. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1991 (first edition 1982). ISBN 0-87474-510-1.
  • Hess, William N. P-47 Thunderbolt (Warbird History). St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International Publishers, 1994. ISBN 0-87938-899-4.
  • "Lake, Jon. ""P-47 Thunderbolt Part 1: Early development and combat in the ETO"". International Air Power Review, Volume 1, Summer 2001. Westport, Connecticut: AIRtime Publishing. pp. 138-69. ISSN 1473-9917."
  • "Lake, Jon. ""P-47 Thunderbolt Part 2: Final developments and combat in the Mediterranean, Far East and Pacific"". International Air Power Review, Volume 7, Winter 2002. Westport, Connecticut: AIRtime Publishing. pp. 128-65. ISSN 1473-9917. ISBN 1-880588-48-X."
  • Mondey, David. The Concise Guide to American Aircraft of World War II. London: Chartwell Books, 1994. ISBN 0-7858-0147-2.
  • O'Leary, Michael. USAAF fighters of World War Two in action. London: Blandford Press, 1986. ISBN 0-7137-1839-0.
  • Ryan, Cornelius. A Bridge Too Far. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1974. ISBN 978-0-445-08373-8.
  • Scutts, Jerry. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (Combat Legend). Ramsbury, Wiltshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84037-402-0.
  • Sims, Edward H. Fighter Tactics and Strategy 1914-1970. Fallbroock, California: Aero publisher, 1980. ISBN 0-8168-8795-0.
  • "Sgarlato, Nico and Giorgio Gibertini. ""P-47"" (in Italian). I Grandi Aerei Storici n.14, January 2005. Parma, Italy: Delta Editrice. ISSN 1720-0636."
  • Spick, Mike. Fighter Pilot Tactics. The Techniques of Daylight Air Combat. Cambridge, UK: Patrick Stephens, 1983. ISBN 0-85059-617-3.
  • Panzer IV vs Sherman: France 1944 by Steven Zaloga
  • Stoff, Joshua. The Thunder Factory: An Illustrated History of the Republic Aviation Corporation. London: Arms & Armour Press, 1990. ISBN 1-85409-040-2.

    Magazine References: +

  • Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/
  • Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html
  • FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/
  • Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html
  • Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/
  • Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html
  • Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/
  • Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/
  • Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

  • History of RAF Organisation: http://www.rafweb.org
  • Imperial War Museums - https://www.iwm.org.uk
  • American Air Museum - https://www.americanairmuseum.com/
  • Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_P-47_Thunderbolt
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/

USAAF Military History Section

USAAF Chronology and War Diaries 1941-1942 1943 1944 1945

United States Army Air Force - USAAF units

USAAF Combat Units

 

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This webpage was updated 14th April 2024