P-47 Thunderbolt
Alexander Kartveli, Designer
The Thunderbolt was the largest, heaviest, single-seat fighter built during World War II: a rugged, dependable,and heavily armed fighting machine, whose accomplishments advanced the ultimate victory of the allies.
Wing Span: 40 ft. 9 in.
Length: 36 ft. 2 in.
Gross Weight: 13,500 pounds
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R2800 Air Cooled Radial Engine, 18 Cylinders, Rated at Over 2000 Horsepower, Using Curtiss Electric or Hamilton Standard Propellers, and Equipped with General Electric Turbo Supercharger
Armament: Eight.50 Caliber Browning Machine Guns and Carried Over 2000 Pounds of Ordnance
Mission: High Altitude Escort and Low-Level Ground Support
First Flight: 6 May 1941
Total Built: 15,683
Built By: Republic Aviation Corporation
World War II Combat Record
Destroyed: 1,874 Enemy Aircraft
160,000 Military Vehicles
9,000 Locomotives
Bombs Dropped: 113,963 Tons
Sorties Flown: 546,000
Combat Hours: 1,352,810
Thunderbolt fighter pilots served their country with courage, distinction, and devotion to duty in every combat theater of operations during World War II. "America and the cause of freedom were well served
by those who flew the famous 'Jug', the plane with more victories than any other fighter in the course of World War II. All Americans and the citizens of so many other nations, owe their liberty today to you and all those who fought against tyranny in that conflict. As Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and as an American, I proudly salute you and your fallen comrades-in-arms. May God bless you and yours."
(signed) Ronald Reagan
May 1985
Presented By
The P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots Association, Ltd
Dedicated 24 May 1986
To All Those Who Built the Thunderbolt and to the Manufacturers and Suppliers Our Deepest Gratitude.
The Ground Crews and Support Personnel
Your Untiring Efforts and Selfless Devotion Are Legend.
You Gave All You Had to Keep the Thunderbolts Flying, Mission After Mission.
You Repaired Our Battle-Damaged "Jugs" With Skill and Ingenuity and Maintained Them in Fighting Condition Around the Clock Around the World.
You Waited in Silence While We Were On Missions
You Shared Our Victories
You Cheered When We Returned, and Wept When We Did Not
We Will Never Forget
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