Warbird Information Exchange

A favorite T-bolt that's seen a few different schemes and locations over the years.

Per Joe Baugher:

Republic P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt 45-49205

1. (MSN 399-55744) Redesignated TF-47D; Oklahoma Air Material Area, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK;

2. TEMCO Aircraft Corporation, Hensley, Grand Prairie, TX;

3. Reimbursable Aid Program;

4. 1708th Ferrying Group, Military Air Transport Service, Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX;

5. Caribbean Air Command, Albrook AFB, Canal Zone, Panama;

6. Fuerza Aérea del Perú 16 March 1953 as serial 547;

7. re-serialed as 122;

8. WFU, open storage at Piura AAB, Peru 1963/69;

9. Ed Jurist / Vintage Aircraft International Ltd, Nyack NY;

10. Registered N47DE 24Jul69;

11. Arrived Brownsville, TX 5 September 1969 on SS Rosaldina, assembled by Confederate Air Force at Harlingen, TX 1973;

12. Minor damage at Harlingen, TX 22 May 1973: the P-47D was behind and overtook landing Cessna A150K, N5116G: left wing of P-47D hit right wing of the Cessna after both aircraft had landed;

13. David C. Tallichet / Yesterday's AF / Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation, Chino, CA 30 April 1975;

14. Stored Barstow-Daggett, CA 1975;

15. Douglas W. Arnold / Warbirds of Great Britain Ltd, Blackbushe May 1979;

16. Arrived Blackbushe 11 November 1979;

17. Registered G-BLZW to D.W. Arnold/ Fair oaks Aviation Services, Blackbushe 15 July 1985;

18. Stephen Grey, Duxford 18 September 1985;

19. Cancelled 4 Nov 1985 on export to USA;

20. Registered N47DE to Robert J. Pond / Planes of Fame East, Flying Cloud, Minneapolis, MN 17 December 1985;

21. Re-registered N47RP Robert J. Pond, Eden Prairie, MN March 1986;

22. Bob Pond / Pond Warbirds LLC / Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, CA December 1997;

23. Registered to Pond Warbirds LLC 3 July 2001, current [Jan17];

24. Flown as "228473/HV-P/"Big Chief", later as “228473/2Z-P/"Squirt VIII”;

25. Airworthy and on display at Palm Springs Air Museum.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

This airplane, along with the other five that came in from Peru, never belonged to the CAF. They were always the property of Ed Jurist until he sold them on to Dave Tallichet. The CAF did assemble and operate the airplanes in a business deal with Ed but the only complete P-47 the CAF ever owned is the N model that they still have now.

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Brad

It would be wonderful to see this one flying again - it flew as part of the P-47 gathering at Planes of Fame in 2005, but I don't recall it being active since then (and of course not since the passing of Bob Pond). It is unique for being the last P-47 that was operating with the extremely rare Curtiss-Electric prop (though I've read that Allied Fighters now has one too, that could eventually be installed on "Dottie Mae" to make it that much more authentic).

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

Since it hasn’t flown since 2007 it can’t be “airworthy” and it’s not a flyer.

Not false, but they did do some ground runs with it last year so at least it’s getting some attention. I would imagine it’s next in line after the Catalina. As far as I know the plan is for every plane at that museum to be airworthy again one day, the chances of that happening are low but it’s something to hope for. They just have to transfer from Pond to PSAM which IIRC is basically the same as buying the airplane from the Pond estate, someone can correct me if I’m wrong but this is what I remember being told. And PSAM can’t make the aircraft airworthy until it’s owned by them. If you look at Bunny, Polly, the T-28, and C-47, (and now the PBY), they are all registered to PSAM, the rest of the fleet is still registered to Pond Warbirds.

Two corrected statements by me. FWIW

1. X-CAF Assembled Republic P-47D Thunderbolt N47DE

2. Airworthy as in more than likely in worthy of flight, as opposed to Airworthy as in legally documented to be airworthy.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Some fantastic photos here that I had not seen before. I like that checker nose scheme she wore while with Doug Arnold despite the fact that it may not be all too authentic. I bet it would excite some of the model builder types as well.

Actually, Mark, your original statement was correct. According to the FAA, the airworthiness certificate is current. All that stands between the airplane and flight is a condition inspection which certifies that the airplane is in condition for safe operation. Of course, it probably entails some work to get it into that condition, but probably not that much work. Stored inside in the dry desert is pretty much ideal.

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

Thanks for correction- and new info. I’m glad to hear it!