Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. A photo. Characteristics.

USA

A type: single-engine fighter

Crew: One pilot

Initially, the R-47 "Thunderbolt" (lightning strike) was built in response to US Air Force requirements for a lightweight interceptor similar in size to the Spitfire and Bf 109 aircraft. Equipped with a row-type engine V-1710-39 power 1150 l. from. Company "Allison", the aircraft XR-47A was to be completed with only two machine guns of caliber 12,7 mm; Without reserving and reserving tanks. Nevertheless, from Europe, military records leak proving the shortsightedness of the idea of ​​a light fighter, and the US Air Force changed the design requirements, including the installation of eight machine guns, a strong armor and a protected fuel system.

The company "Ripablik" said a completely new design, with a radial engine R-2800 «Double Wasp" turbocharged. Despite the reliability of the problems encountered with the first power plant, "Ripablik" aircraft manufacturing company slowly and steadily progressed. The first P-47V acted in eight US Air Force in Britain at the end of the year 1942, as a fighter escort growing heavy bombers in Britain.

Вyderzhivayuschy a large number of injuries, and is solid as a rock, a platform for the machine guns, the aircraft "Thunderbolt" gained dominance in the German sky. With the advent of the end of the year 1943 modified P-47D aircraft equipped with teardrop cockpit canopy. In reality, about 15 677 aircraft was built. A number of aircraft P-47N served in the Air National Guard, and in small quantities - in the Air Force before the other armies 1950-ies. Today, in a state of airworthiness of the aircraft survived 12 F-47 - 11 in the US and one in the UK.

Basic data

Aircraft performance characteristics:

• Maximum speed: 690 km / h
• Range: 1600 km

Dimensions:

• Length: 11,03 m
• Wingspan: 12,4 m
• Height: 4,44 m

The weight:

• BLANK: 4853 kg
• Maximum take-off: 19 400 kg

Power point: R-2800-59 «Double Wasp" (on the modification D) or R-2800-57 / -77 (on M / N versions) of "Pratt- Whitney"

Power: 2300 l. from. (1715,8 kW) and 2800 l. from. (2088 kW), respectively,

Date of first flight:

• 6 May 1941 years

The surviving airworthy modifications:

• P-47D / TP-47D, P-47G / TP 47G, YP-47M and P-47N