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Republic XP-47E Thunderbolt ...

Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:47 pm

The XP-47B was first flown on May 6, 1941. It was powered by a 1,960 hp XR-2800-21 engine and featured an elliptical wing, an all-metal construction (except for the fabric-covered control surfaces), and a hinged canopy. The main landing gear retracted inward into the wings, telescoping nine inches to clear the underside of the fuselage, and the steerable tailwheel was fully retractable. With a loaded weight of 12,086 lb, the XP-47B was almost twice as heavy as its competitors. Performance was higher than expected with a maximum speed of 412 mph. Only 171 were completed as P-47B's before production switched to the P-47C. The aircraft's nickname, Thunderbolt, was created by Republic's Director of Military Contracts, C. Hart Miller.

Sub-variants and modifications:
XP-47B, single prototype powered by a 1,960 hp XR-2800-21 engine.
P-47B-RE, 171 aircraft powered by a 2,000 hp R-2800-21 engine with other modifications.
RP-47B, designation originally applied to a handful of P-47B modified into photo-reconnaissance aircraft with a camera mounted in the port intercooler vent. Later applied to all P-47Bs in 1944 to denote its status as restricted from combat.

XP-47E. The final P-47B was converted in September 1942 into a prototype for a high-altitude variant as the XP-47E. Modifications included a pressurized cockpit with a hinged canopy. The project was canceled due to increased emphasis on low-level operations over Europe

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XP-47E-Thunderbolt Ser. 41-6065 left side view at factory Farmingdale NY.

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XP-47E-Thunderbolt Ser. 41-6065 Last P-47B converted.

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XP-47E-Thunderbolt Ser. 41-6065 front view R-2800-59 engine, a pressurized cockpit with a hinged canopy, Farmingdale NY.

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XP-47E-Thunderbolt Ser. 41-6065 left side view in snow factory field Farmingdale NY.

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XP-47E Thunderbolt Ser. 41-6065 left rear 3-4 view at factory field in snow Farmingdale NY.

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XP-47E Thunderbolt Ser. 41-6065 left front 3-4 view at factory field Farmingdale NY.

Re: Republic XP-47E Thunderbolt ...

Sat Jun 21, 2025 4:53 pm

And ... P-47D-11-RE 42-75568
Per J Baugher (MSN 3919) Air Technical Service Command, Republic Field, Farmingdale, Long Island, NY; 406th FS [4W-B], 371st FG, 9th AF, Dole/Tavaux [Y-7], France; 7th Depot Repair Squadron, 7th Air Depot Group, 9th AF, Reims/Champagne [A-62], France; Crash landed 18Nov44 after engine failure at Reims. Pilot survived, aircraft badly damaged, unknown if repaired.

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Re: Republic XP-47E Thunderbolt ...

Sun Jun 22, 2025 12:46 am

Bloody hell Mark you are a star! I never knew this existed.

I'd also like to thank you so much for your efforts: in a time of global sh*ttiness you bring a ray of much-needed sunshine into my world. It's good to be taken back to a time when we seemed to be united, and understood what we were fighting for.

Re: Republic XP-47E Thunderbolt ...

Sun Jun 22, 2025 7:07 pm

Far from a star, but thx kindly. My threads are probably the most oxymoronic of and public forum on the internet lol
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