An exceedingly difficult argument, the Thunderbolt was widely considered one of the toughest aircraft of the Second World War, able to carry 3,000 pounds of external ordnance, including eight .50 caliber guns.
Airmen flying P-47s provided bomber escorts, close air support, and swift ground attacks during World War II. Over the course of production, the P-47D model provided improved capability with this platform, with increased climb rate and speed, greater internal fuel capacity, and new wing mounts for drop tanks that carried extra fuel. Rugged construction, turbocharged engines, and a service ceiling of 40,000 feet made the aircraft extremely difficult for enemy forces to shoot down. Thunderbolts entered combat in 1943, flying more than a half a million sorties in the European and the Pacific Theaters. It remained in active service until 1949.
During World War II, Hill Field maintained, repaired, rehabilitated, and stored many Thunderbolt aircraft and their engines.
The P-47D on display came off the production line in 1944 and served on basesall over the United States. In 2003, the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah recovered this aircraft from a salvage yard and brought it to Hinckley Airport in Ogden, Utah, for restoration. Hill Aerospace Museum staff put it on display in 2007.
During World War II, the P-47 destroyed nearly 4,000 enemy aircraft, 9,000 trains, 86,000 trucks, and 6,000 armored vehicles. Its nickname was the “Jug,” short for juggernaut, which is an unstoppable force.
This aircraft is a part of the USAF Heritage Program collection
Serial Number: 44-32798
Manufacturer: The Republic Aviation Corporation
Primary Function: Escort Fighter, Heavy Fighter-Bomber
Crew: One
Engines: One Pratt & Whitney R2800 Double Wasp radial; 2,500 hp
Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in
Length: 36 ft 1 in
Height: 14 ft 2 in
Weight: 10,700 pounds (empty); 13,500 pounds (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 260 mph (cruising); 433 mph (maximum)
Range: 950 miles without external fuel
Service Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Armament: Eight .50-caliber machine guns and ten 5-inch rockets
Payload: or 1,500 lbs of bombs
Cost: $83,000
Years of Service: 1943 – 1949
During World War II, Hill Air Force Base maintained, repaired, rehabilitated and stored many Thunderbolt aircraft and their engines. The P-47D on display was manufactured in 1944 and served on bases all over the United States. In 2003, this aircraft was recovered from a salvage yard and brought to Hinckley Airport in Ogden, Utah, for restoration. In 2007, it was put on display at Hill Aerospace Museum.
An exceedingly difficult argument, the Thunderbolt was widely considered one of the toughest aircraft of the Second World War, able to carry 3,000 pounds of external ordnance, including eight .50 caliber guns.
The P-47 was developed as a fighter and fighter-bomber in both the European and Pacific fronts.
It is reported in the European Theater alone, some 7,000 aircraft were destroyed, with more than half being destroyed in air-to-air combat.
Fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to 8 tons, making it the heaviest fighter of WWII.