The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt-also lovingly dubbed the “Jug,” for “Juggernaut”-stands as one of the premier air warriors of the Second World War. Conceived by design genius Alexander Kartveli and built by Republic Aviation, the P-47 was a flying heavyweight that gained much of its reputation through substantial construction, innovative firepower, and multi-mission adaptability.
From lightweight interceptors to the demands of the war in Europe, the design evolved. Its development started with the P-43 Lancer; but when the need for more robust warplanes became evident, Republic Aviation quickly changed course. It came in the form of a larger and more powerful machine that was the P-47 Thunderbolt. The maiden flight of the prototype took place in June 1941.
The P-47 was powered by the huge Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine that gave it a maximum speed of about 433 miles per hour with a ceiling above 40,000 feet. Its “razorback” canopy configuration-defined by its rearward-positioned canopy line, with a raised dorsal fin in front of it and later bubble canopy, gave it better all-around visibility, while it also mounted eight heavy .50 caliber machine guns made it a deadly opponent in the skies.
The P-47 Thunderbolt was quite a versatile aircraft, able to conduct a wide range of missions. Serving as an excellent air superiority interceptor, bomber escort, and ground attack airplane, the P-47 offered agility with stability, combining both useful capabilities in close air-to-air combat and effectiveness in ground support, with a wingspan of about 40 feet and roughly 36 feet in length.
The eight .50 caliber machine guns it mounted let loose with a hail of lead that shredded any enemy aircraft and ground targets alike. The gun had an internal store of 3,400 rounds and could fire for 30 continuous seconds. The P-47 was also designed to carry up to 3,000 pounds of external ordnance such as bombs and rockets, adding enormously to its ground attack capability.
In April 1943, the P-47 finally attained its combat baptism. It did not take long for it to prove invaluable. During World War II, more than half a million sorties were flown against both Europe and the Pacific. The aircraft claimed almost 4,000 enemy planes, 9,000 trains, 86,000 trucks, and 6,000 armored vehicles-very effective in performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground duties.
Despite the heavy weight and size, with the powerful engine, the P-47 could easily keep pace with the nimble P-51 Mustang. Still, at just over 800 miles, its range was perhaps half that of the Mustang, reducing the range within which it could operate. However, the resiliency of the Thunderbolt and its reputation for taking quite a lot of damage made it an aviator’s favorite. Remarkable was the safety record of the aircraft, with only about 0.7 percent of Thunderbolts lost in action.
The reach of the P-47 Thunderbolt went well beyond the parameters of World War II. Following Japan’s capitulation, the plane continued in service in most air forces around the world. The U.S. pulled the P-47 from front-line service in 1949, but NATO allies like Turkey, Portugal, and Italy maintained squadrons of Thunderbolts into the 1950s. Latin American countries like Peru flew them until the 1960s.
The legacy of the P-47 Thunderbolt lives on today. At least 15 original wartime Jugs remain airworthy and can be seen on the air show circuit around North America. The aircraft’s contribution to the Allied victory in World War II and its presence in aviation history cannot be overstated; this is arguably one of the most remarkable fighter planes ever built.