Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt

Single Piston

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was the heaviest single-engine fighter of World War II and one of the most effective ground-attack aircraft ever built. Nicknamed the "Jug" for its bulky fuselage, the P-47 entered service in 1943 and quickly proved itself as both a high-altitude escort fighter and devastating ground-attack platform. Powered by a massive Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine producing 2,000 horsepower, the Thunderbolt could absorb extraordinary battle damage and still bring its pilot home — a reputation that made it beloved by the pilots who flew it. The P-47's combat record speaks for itself: it destroyed more ground targets than any other Allied fighter and claimed nearly 4,000 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat across European and Pacific theaters. Its eight .50-caliber machine guns and ability to carry 2,500 pounds of bombs or ten rockets made it a fearsome close-air-support weapon. The type could reach 433 mph in level flight and climb to 42,000 feet, performance enabled by its sophisticated turbocharger system. More than 15,600 Thunderbolts were built between 1941 and 1945, making it one of the most-produced American fighters of the war. Today, fewer than a dozen P-47s remain airworthy worldwide, making any sighting a rare glimpse of living history. These warbirds are meticulously maintained by collectors and museums, often appearing at airshows where their distinctive radial engine roar and massive presence remind audiences of the aircraft that helped win the war. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.