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 Republic P-47D (F-47) Thunderbolt - Seattle, WA
N 47° 31.139 W 122° 17.857
10T E 552879 N 5263078
One of many static aircraft displays located at the Museum of Flight at King County International Airport. Admission fees apply.
Waymark Code: WMVJMZ
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 04/25/2017
Views: 6
Located at the Museum of Flight are a large number of static aircraft on display. One of them is a Republic P-47D (F-47) Thunderbolt. The Museum of Flight website contains a page devoted to this aircraft and it reads:
Republic's immense and powerful P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the truly great fighters of World War II. Designed by Alexander Kartveli, the P-47 was to play a major role in World War II and be built in greater numbers than any other U.S. fighter, including the North American P-51.
In combat, the P-47 was an effective air-to-air fighter -- but it was an even more effective air-to-ground weapon. It had great diving speed and a tremendous payload capacity.
The Museum of Flight's P-47D is a "re-imported" aircraft representing just one of the many Thunderbolts that were sent to Latin American countries as part of post-war military assistance programs.
For a number of years, this P-47D was a gate guardian at the La Paz, Bolivia airport. Doug Champlin later acquired the aircraft from Jim Cullen in 1976 and shipped it off to Dick Martin of Carlsbad, California for a complete rebuild. The latter was completed in 1981. The aircraft was restored in the markings of Colonel Robert Baseler's 325th Fighter Group aircraft (famous for their "checker tail" paint scheme).
A nearby placard highlights this P-47 Thunderbolt in more detail and reads:
Republic Aviation's Alexander Kartveli intended the P-47 to be a high altitude interceptor, however, the massive seven-ton "jug", first flown in May, 1941, turned out to be an ideal low-level fighter-bomber. It was used to harass Axis ground forces and destroy supply lines throughout Europe and the Pacific, and to fly close air support for Allied forces on the ground. On June 6,
1944--D-Day--19 of the 35 U.S. fighter groups based in Great Britain flew the "Jug." Two of the European Theater's top-scoring Allied aces, Major Francis Gabreski (28 victories) and Captain Robert Johnson (27 victories), flew the sturdy P-47.
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Republic P-47D (F-47) Thunderbolt
Tail Number: (S/N): 42-8205; Registration No. NX14519
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): Museum of Flight - Personal Courage Wing - 1st Floor
inside / outside: inside
Other Information:: Not listed
Access restrictions: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.
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