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{P-47}
Type: Fighter-Bomber
Manufacturer: Republic
Crew: One
First Flight: May 6, 1941
Service Delivery: June 1942 (56th Fighter Group)
Final Delivery: N/A
Production: 15,677
Dimensions:
Wing Span: 40 ft. 9¼ in. (12.43m)
Length: 36 ft. 1¾ in. (11.02m)
Height: 14 ft. 8 in. (4.47m)
Wing Area: 300.0 sq. ft (27.87m²)

Weights:
Empty: 9,950 lb. (4513 kg)
Maximum Take-Off: 17,500 lb. (7938 kg.)
Performance:
Max. Speed, Clean: 433 mph (697 km/h)
Service Ceiling: 41,000 ft. (12495m
Range with drop tanks: 1,900 miles (3058m)
Armament:
Eight 12.7mm (0.5 in.) machine guns in wings

Bombload:
Up to 2,500 lb. (1134 kg) of bombs carried externally
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   Powerplant:
XP-47B:
   Model: Pratt & Whitney XR-2800 Double Wasp
   Type: Radial Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 1,850 hp (later 2,000 hp)

P-47B:
   Model: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-21 Double Wasp
   Type: Radial Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 2,000 hp

Later P-47C:
   Model: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double Wasp
   Type: Radial Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 2,300 hp

P-47D:
   Model: P&W R-2800-21W or -51W Double Wasp
   Type: Radial Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 2,300 hp or 2,535 hp

XP-47H:
   Model: Chrysler XIV-2220-1
   Type: Inverted Vee Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 2,300 hp

XP-47J:
   Model: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57 (C) Double Wasp
   Type: Turbocharged Radial Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 2,800 hp

P-47N:
   Model: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-77 Double Wasp
   Type: Radial Piston Engine.
   Number: One    Horsepower: 2,800 hp
Variants:
XP-47B: Prototype aircraft
Number Built: 1

P-47B: Initial production aircraft with sliding canopy and metal skinned control surfaces.
Number Built: 171

P-47C: Revised production version, initial aircraft engined as P-47B. Longer forward fuselage nd provision for belly /bomb racks.
Number Built: 602

P-47D: Major production version with R-2800-21W or -59W with water injection. Numerous changes in various production blocks.
Number Built: 12,602

XP-47D: 1943 conversion of standard P-47D, equipping it with a pressurized cockpit.
Number Built: 1

XP-47F: 1943 conversion of P-47B equipping it with laminar flow wings.
Number Built: 1

P-47G: Designation given to a block of early P-47D aircraft built by Curtis-Wright.
Number Built: 354

XP-47H: Two P-47Ds rebuilt to accept the Chrysler XIV-2220-1 inverted vee inline engine.
Number Built: 2
   XP-47J: Experimental P-47D with lightened structure and special P&W R-2800-57 (C) with turbocharger. Acheived top speed of 504 mph (811 kph) on August 2, 1944.
Number Built: 1

XP-47K: Converted P-47D with teardrop canopy from Hawker Typhoon and a cut down rear fuselage. This modification was later introduced in the P-47D production line.
Number Built: 1

XP-47L: Converted P-47D with increased-capacity fuselage fuel tankage.
Number Built: 1

YP-47M: Converted P-47D with powerplant of XP-47J. Designed to produce a high-speed "Sprint" aircraft.
Number Built: 3

P-47M: Production version of YP-47M.
Number Built: 130

XP-47N: Conversion from YP-47M with increased-span strengthened wing containing fuel tanks, strengthened landing gear and other modification to enhance long-range capabilities. Designed for use in Pacifc theater.
Number Built: 1

P-47N: Production version of of XP-47N. Later aircraft equipped with R-2800-77 powerplant.
Number Built: 1,816
COMMENTS: The Thunderbolt, designed by Alexander Kartveli, developed a reputation during World War II for extreme toughness and the ability to return it's pilot home even after suffering staggering damage. Nicknamed the "Jug", the Thunderbolt was produced in astonishing number and became the USAAF's premier ground attack fighter-bomber. The type was also used by Brazil, the Free French air force, Mexico, the RAF, and the Soviet Union.
   An evolutionary development of the P-43 Lancer, the Thunderbolt entered service in June 1942 with the USAAF's 56th Fighter Group being the first unit to recieved the initial P-47B aircraft. This unit was attached to the 8th Air Force by January 1943 and joined by the 78th Fighter group became operational in April 1943.
   Initial engagements with the Luftwaffe showed severe shortcoming at low and medium altitudes and a insufficient fuel load for the escort mission. Later variants overcame these shortcomings and greatly increased the types capabilities. By war's end the Jug had achieved some remarkable statistics. The Thunderbolt managed to destoy 4.6 aircraft for every one of there own number shot down. While flying of half a million combat sorties, accumulating nearly two million operational hours, the type shot down 3,752 enemy aircraft as well as destroying 3,315 aircraft on the ground. It is little wonder that the type achieved such a legendary and highly respected status.
    The Jug remained in service with the Air National guard units until 1954 and in numerous air forces around the world for many years after.
   
Sources:
Gunston, Bill - The Encyclodepia of the Worlds Combat aircraft, 1976, Chartwell Books, Inc., New York
The Complete Encyclodepia of World Aircraft, 1997, Barnes & Nobles Books, ISBN: 0 7607 0592 5