One of three dominant air fighters in World War II, more Republic Aviation Airlines P-47 planes were built than either the P-38 or P-51.

Originally designed as a lightweight interceptor, the P-47 design was based on the P-43 Lancer. (The “P” represents “Pursuit,“ as in a long-range fighter. Today, the designation would be an “F.”) The initial P-47s of 1940 were lightweight in nature. But after realizing what was going on in Europe , the plane was redesigned and became a heavier, rugged, and even sturdier fighter aircraft than what was initially designed. When the airplane made it's first flight in 1941, its weight of over 12,000 pounds was more than twice the weight of other planes from the era.

In part because of the size of the plane, and in part because of the requirements of the USAAF (United States Army Air Force) the P-47B utilized a turbocharged 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney engine. A turbocharged engine had been initially a problem on the P-38 Lightnings. Pressed for time, it was new technology that Great Britain and France had been afraid that would cause delays in shipment of their 322B and 322C (P-38 variant planes) The planes were delivered without the turbocharged engine. Consequently, those P-38 did not do as well at high altitudes as later variants of the P-38 that incorporated a turbo-charged engine.

The turbocharged engine on the P-47 Thunderbolt became the centerpiece in the design of the airplane. Because of the size of the engine, everything related including the turbo-charger was designed first and then the rest of the plane was built around it.

Because of the problems of the 322Bs, an early version of the P-47, the P-47C saw duty in England .

Slightly more P-47s were built than the P-51. Over 15,000 planes in total were built. The P-47D was the variant built more than any other model, over 12,500 were built by Republic in it's Farmingdale , New York plant as well as a second plant in Evansville , Indiana . And Curtiss Wright, under license to Republic, built 350 P-47Ds, which were called P-47G in it's plant in Buffalo , New York .

In addition to being able to excel as a high-altitude fighter, the P-47 is known for it's survivability, or the ability to take a hit and keep on going, as well as being a well-armed plane. While serving in almost every theater in World War II, the P-47 made it's mark in Europe . Armaments including eight 12.7 Browning guns and an added external fuel tank allowed the P-47 to escort B-17 and B-24 bombers on missions deep into Germany successfully.

Variants ran up to P-47N, which was used in the Pacific theater.

The P-47 served with the USAF (United States Air Force) until 1949. (The USAAF became the USAF in 1947.) In 1948, the nomenclature for the plane changed; it was now called an F-47. And it was until 1953 that it served with the US Air National Guard.

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