The Thunderbolt is one of the classic warplanes of World War II, and remains an enduring example of the American predilection to `think big' and produce an item that is visually impressive yet packed with equally impressive capability as a result of the careful combination of high power (a turbocharged engine) and clean design.

John Buzansky, history buff, road trip instigator, and driver of the expedition, wanted to hop into the P-47 and take it for a spin. Alas, I imagine some dire consequences would occur from the variety of armed guards should he hop the rail.

The XP-47B prototype first flew in May 1941, but depite indications of impressive performance a number of serious design problems had to be resolved before the P-47B could enter combat service in April 1943. The 171 P-47B fighters and 602 generally similar P-47C fighter-bombers were powered by the 2000hp (1491kW) R-2800-21 engine, while the definitive P-47D introduced an uprated powerplant and, in its major subvariant, a clear-view 'bubble' canopy in place of the original framed canopy and 'razorback' rear fuselage.

P-47D The B-29's engines are above.

Production of the P-47D and generally similar P-47G 'razorback' model totalled 12,603 and 354 respectively.

Country of origin: USA
Type: (P-47D) single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber
Powerplant: one 2535hp (1890kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder two-row radial engine
Performance: maximum speed 700km/h (435mph); climb to 4570m (15,000ft) in 5 minutes 36 seconds; service ceiling 12,800m (42,000ft); range 2776km (1725 miles)
Weights: empty 4858kg (10,700lb); maximum take-off 7355kg (16,200lb)
Dimensions: span 12.42m (40ft 9in); length 10.99m (36ft 1 in); height 4.44m (14ft 7in)
Armament: eight 0.5in fixed forward-firing machine guns in the leading edges of the wing, plus an external bomb and rocket load of 1134kg (2500lb)

B-29 "Enola Gay" -- centerpiece of WWII collection -- hoisted above the floor...and above the P-47D in background. The wingtip with the American star is that of the P-38J.

Text from: Aircraft of WWII by Chris Chant (Fiedman/Fairfax, 1999, ISBN: 1-58663-303-1), a handy book with specs for 300 aircraft.

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