|
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.