Republic P-47D-5-RE Thunderbolt

Alexander P. De Seversky was a fighter pilot in the First World War, flying in the Imperial Russian Air Force. Later, he authored a landmark book Victory Through Air Power which contained analysis that proved prophetic of events in the Second World War. De Seversky founded his own aircraft company (later to become the Republic Aircraft Company) which produced a series of fighter aircraft during the 1930's, many of which were purchased by the U.S. government.

The P-47 Thunderbolt had a huge and powerful radial engine. The large airframe required it. It was armed with eight .50 calibre machine guns - a hefty punch. Its turbo-supercharger enabled its engine to produce its large reserves of power at higher altitudes, and naturally, no other aircraft could come close to it in a dive. Although its large size was viewed with great scepticism by fighter pilots, who assumed it lacked speed and nimble maneuverability, the P-47 proved to be a great fighter aircraft when in the hands of a pilot who could exploit its many advantages. The Thunderbolt was produced and purchased in larger numbers than any other American fighter plane during the Second World War.

Republic P-47D-5-RE Thunderbolt

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