Tag: P-47

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P-47N Thunderbolt Airframe Project Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

A 1945 Republic P-47N Thunderbolt project is available for sale. The listing states (in part):

This P-47N project is based on a P-47N fuselage that was on the production line in Evansville, IN when production ceased due to the end of World War II. After being declared surplus, Earl Reinert / Meridian Aircraft Company acquired three P-47N fuselages. In 1966, Reinert traded this fusealge s/n 171 to Walter Soplata in exchange for several engines and propellers. In 2020 it was sold to the current owner. The current owner has acquired many additional P-47N parts and a set of crashed P-47N wings to aid in a future restoration.

The project reportedly includes the fuselage, wings (off crashed aircraft – donor /pattern), vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizers (left & right), elevator, rudder, main landing gear (left and right: NOS), tailwheel, canopy frame (NOS), engine cowling, engine cowling ring, exhaust ducting and components, miscellaneous parts including hydraulics.

Pricing available upon request. Click here to check out the complete listing.

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National Museum of WW2 Aviation Offering P-47 Artifact Lamp From Famous 348th FG

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

The National Museum of World War II Aviation is currently offering “a very historical artifact” in the form of a lamp incorporating a “a turbo charger fan from an actual P-47 Razorback.” The listing states (in part):

The base of this lamp is a turbo charger fan from an actual P-47 Razorback, from the 348th Fighter Group that flew in the WWII. Led by “Medal Of Honor” recipient Col. Neel Kearby. This Group was the most successful P-47 group in the Pacific. The group scored 396 kills; over half of all the kills credited to Fifth Air Force P-47s. The group had 20 aces, including Kearby who was credited with 22 kills. With the conclusion of the war the aircraft had little value; given that factory fresh aircraft were available stateside. These combat veteran aircraft had their engines removed and were unceremoniously bulldozed into a pit. Some 55 years later, in the year 2000, Col. Neel Kearby’s plane and two others were excavated from Papua New Guinea. This turbocharger fan was excavated with those planes.

The artifact reportedly comes with a certificate of authenticity and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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WW2 Aircraft on the Move at USAF Museum [Video]

The USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio recently moved some of its iconic WW2 warbirds back into position after they were temporarily relocated to provide room for the Memphis Belle exhibit opening back in May. These included the P-51, P-47, P-38 and A-36.

In the process, opportunities were provided to get a better look at the aircraft, resulting in a new series videos that can be seen below.

Continue reading WW2 Aircraft on the Move at USAF Museum [Video]

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CAF SoCal Wing to Restore P-47N “Meat Chopper” to Airworthy Condition

The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF SoCal) has reported that they have been selected to restore P-47N Thunderbolt N47TB.

The Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59B-powered aircraft (S/N 45-53436) was originally built by Republic Aviation in Evansville, Indiana and served with the Guatemalan Air Force in the 1950s before becoming part of the CAF collection in 1962.

In 2002, the aircraft, wearing the colors of “Meat Chopper” of the 464th FS/507th FG, suffered an engine fire which resulted in an emergency landing. Thankfully, the pilot walked away, but the aircraft itself sustained significant damage, including a collapsed undercarriage and broken wing.

To date, “tremendous” repair work has been carried out on the machine, but much remains before it is able to return to the air. It is currently in Dallas but will soon be transferred to the SoCal Wing’s facility at Camarillo Airport. As of this writing, a time frame for completion has not been reported.

Those wishing to contribute toward the project can do so here.

(via CAF SoCal Thanks, Pascal!)