The Pitot Tube on a P-47
The pitot tube on a P-47 is on the right wing
The pitot tube was used as a weather gauge, sending information like air speed and altitude to the console of the pilot. Pilots had to adapt to this plane quickly, but even experienced pilots had trouble in flying it. The pitot tube was located on the right wing of the P-47 as evidenced in this photo.
Republic Aviation Corporation
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
P-47s on Take-Off
P-47s about to lift off from a makeshift airstrip
This photo shows P-47s in the 362nd fighter group preparing to take-off. They are waiting for the signal from the grounds crewman to hit the throttle. They are not attempting to do a dual take-off at this airfield in Reims, France.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
A P-47 with Razorback Canopy
A P-47 with the Razorback canopy was flown by the 362nd Fighter Group until late 1944.
The original versions of the P-47 that were sent to the 362nd Fighter Group had the Razorback canopy. Pilots of the 362nd credit Colonel Laughlin with the change to the Bubble Top canopy, a positive change for visibility and accessibility. This photo shows a P-47 Razorback being prepped for a mission, with a fuel tank and two bombs already loaded under the plane.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1944
Propeller of a P-47
An up-close look at the propeller of a P-47
The propeller on the engine of a P-47. The engine, a Pratt and Whitney R-2800, helped to determine the size of the plane. The engine was covered with metal plates known as a cowling. During combat, the cowling cover was color-associated with the fighter squadron that the pilot was assigned to. Yellow was the cowling color of the 379th Fighter Squadron (F.S), one of three squadrons that made up the 362nd Fighter Group. Pilots with nicknames would have those nicknames in caricature on the cowling of their plane, known as nose art. Much of the nose art of the 379th F.S. and the 362nd F.G., was done by Captain George Rarey and Corporal Joe Carpenter, both of the 379th. The nose art on this plane has been painted to represent the plane of Colonel Joseph Laughlin, nicknamed Five by Five. The original nose art was done by Captain Rarey.
Republic Aviation Corporation
The National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
A Destroyed P-47 and the Pilots' Grave
The grave of a P-47 pilot who crashed after sustaining damage from a ground explosion
This P-47 was destroyed when its' squadron bombed a gunpowder storage depot. According to the museum information plaque, the grave for the pilot was dug by a refugee French couple, who used some of the leftover .50 caliber ammunition to outline the grave.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1943-1945
U.S. Aircraft Insignia
The U.S. aircraft Insignia located under the wings of a P-47.
This insignia was introduced in 1943. The blue and white gloss insignia was referred to as the "star and bar" and was standard on all planes in the U.S. military in WWII. It was painted under both wings to help ground troops avoid friendly fire. The insignia in this photo is located on a P-47 that has been decorated as "Five by Five", flown by Colonel Joseph Laughlin in World War II.
Republic Aviation Corporation
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
Armor Plates for a P-47
Extra armor plates to protect the pilot on a P-47
The P-47 Thunderbolt was a heavy fighter aircraft, maxing out at 17,000 lbs. Part of this weight was owed to the extra protection given to the pilot. Armor plates were installed behind the seat and on each side of the cockpit below the window. In several interviews with former pilots, the plane is credited with not only saving their lives, but allowing them to walk away from an accident without injury.
Republic Aviation Corporation
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
The Induction and Exhaust System on a P-47
The induction system that leads to the engine and exhaust system on the P-47
This illustration shows the pathway of air into the engine of the P-47, showing how effective it made the P-47 at higher altitudes. The thinning air was compressed in the turbines as it passed on to the engine. This helped to increase horsepower and speed as they prepared to dive bomb. The engine and induction system is also the reason the plane is so large and heavy.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
Side by Side P-47s with Different Canopies
Two P-47s for comparison between a Bubble Top canopy and a Razorback canopy
A side by side comparison of the original Razorback canopy (right) and the updated Bubble Top canopy (left) on P-47s. Complaints with the Razorback canopy included difficulty in bailing out for pilots in flight, as well as overall visibility.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s
500-lb Bombs on a P-47
Two 500-lb bombs are affixed under each wing on a P-47
In addition to the .50-caliber machine guns, the P-47 was able to hold multiple kinds of bombs. This P-47 decorated as the one flown by Colonel Joseph Laughlin has 500-lb bombs attached under each wing. The planes were also capable of holding 1,000-lb general purpose bombs, 250-lb fragmentary bombs, 100-lb white phosphorous bombs, napalm, and air-to-ground-rockets.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
1940s