Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (Fighter-bomber)

Louis

Louis

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The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was an American fighter plane produced by Republic Aviation from 1941 to 1945. It was equipped with .50 caliber machine guns and rockets for ground attacks. When fully loaded with bombs, this plane could weigh in excess of eight tons, making it one of the heaviest fighter planes used in the war. The P-47 became one of America’s top fighters in the war and it was also flown by several other Allied forces including Britain, France and the Soviet Union. The Republic was a versatile aircraft, effective for both high altitude air to air combat as well as ground attacks.

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Retired Air National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Hertel, laughs while under the wing of a P-47 Thunderbolt during the Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course on Feb. 28, 2015, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Hertel, a 92-year-old World War II veteran, was given the opportunity to visit the aircraft he used to fly.

Sitting in a wheelchair with images of airplanes on his shirt and a U.S. Army Air Corps hat on his head, 92-year-old retired Air National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Hertel was reunited with the P-47 Thunderbolt during the Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course here Feb. 28.

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Hertel flew the legendary Thunderbolt while stationed on Iwo Jima, Japan, during World War II and had not seen the aircraft since retiring from the military in the 1960's.

"When I found out it was going to be here I just had to bring him," said Hertel's daughter Peggy Hertel. "It's been his dream for so long to see one again."

Although he does not remember a lot of his past, there is one thing that has stayed clear in his memory.

"He has always remembered his airplanes," Peggy said. "I think he was thinking he was going to get in and fly it."

Hertel smiled and laughed as he was wheeled around the aircraft, stopping to reach out with his war-fought hands to touch his old friend.

from': af.mil
 
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Awhile back I went to an airshow at Republic Airport where among other planes there was a P47 and an old WWII pilot answering questions.
I asked about the kick of the eight 50 caliber machine guns and he said they would disconnect one mg on each wing because when they fired all eight it slowed the plane down way too much.
P47's were manufactured here on Long Island. The factory was next to Republic Airport. The factory is long closed and only the ruins remain.
 
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