Republic P-47N "Thunderbolt" (Half scale home-built)
Serial Number:
Registration: 420473
Markings:
Museum Condition: Static Display Only (rated "Experimental")
DJ Sweeny's 1/2 Scale P-47N "Thunderbolt"
Repositioned from the ceiling for a more dramatic effect
The P-47N was the last Thunderbolt variant to be produced. It was designed as an escort fighter for the B-29 Superfortress bombers flying raids on the Japanese home islands. Increased internal fuel capacity and drop tanks had done much to extend the Thunderbolt's range during its evolution, and the only other way to expand the fuel capacity was to put fuel tanks into the wings. Thus, a new wing was designed with two 50 U.S. gallon (190 L) fuel tanks. The second YP-47M with this wing flew in September 1944. The redesign proved successful in extending range to about 2,000 miles (3,200 km), and the squared-off wingtips improved the roll rate. The P-47N entered mass production with the up rated R-2800-77(C) engine, with a total of 1,816 built. The very last Thunderbolt to be built, a P-47N-25, rolled off the production line in October 1945. Thousands more had been on order, but production was essentially cut off with the end of the war in August. At the end of production, cost of a Thunderbolt was $83,000 in 1945 U.S. dollars.
Our 1/2 scale version is one of two left from a group of three Phoenix area ex-World War II pilots (DJ Sweeney, Gill Hallquist and Howard V. McDonald). Each built one of these homebuilts, and each took about 4 1/2 years to build. They would fly them in formations at air shows and were known as the "Three Amigos". The plane would fly well at cruise but the approach landing speed was about 80 mph to 90 mph at touchdown. In 1982 Hallquist had an accident and destroyed his aircraft but he survived. Mr. Sweeney died in 2002. McDonald flew his aircraft until 1996 when he donated it to Luke AFB where they painted it to represent WW II Lt. Col. Francis Gabreski who was commander of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group 8th Air Force.
| Type |
Fighter/bomber, Escort |
| Manufacturer |
Republic Aviation |
| Maiden Flight |
6 May 1941 |
| Introduced |
1942 |
| Theatre of War |
World War II, some post-war use as well |
| Number Produced |
15,686 |
| Status |
Retired in 1955 by U.S. Air National Guard |
| Crew |
1 |
| Wingspan |
40 ft 9 in |
| Length |
36 ft 1 in |
| Height |
14 ft 8 in |
| Empty Weight |
10,000 lbs |
| Max Takeoff Weight |
17,500 lbs |
| Power Plant |
(1) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Twin-row radial |
| Horsepower |
2,535 hp |
| Maximum Speed |
376 knots (433 mph) |
| Service Ceiling |
43,000 ft |
| Rate of Climb |
3,120 ft/min |
| Range |
1,564 nm (1,800 mi) with external tanks |
| Guns |
(8) 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (wings) |
| Payload |
Up to 2,500 lbs of ordinance
(10) 5 in (127mm) unguided rockets |
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