Republic XP-47J Thunderbolt

The XP-47J, nicknamed “Superman”, was an attempt to combine the fuselage of the Thunderbolt with the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-61 engine. This was a closely cowled engine, cooled by a fan rather than by normal airflow and producing 2,100hp. It also had a slightly lighter wing, carrying only six guns.

The XP-47J first flew on 26 November 1943. On 4 August 1944, the XP-47J reached a top speed of 504mph, making it the first piston engined aircraft to exceed 500mph in level flight (other aircraft had reached that speed in the dive). The XP-47J was abandoned in favour of the XP-72.

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How to cite this article: Rickard, J (13 May 2007), Republic XP-47J Thunderbolt, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_P-47J.html

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