Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Bubble-top)
Republic Aviation · United States · first flew 1944 · fighter
The late-war P-47D with bubble canopy and cut-down rear fuselage, combining the Thunderbolt's indestructible radial engine with the all-round visibility that earlier pilots lacked.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Bubble canopy over a cut-down rear fuselage — the spine is shaved away aft of the cockpit, matching the P-51D treatment but on a much larger airframe |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Bubble canopy over a cut-down rear fuselage — the spine is shaved away aft of the cockpit, matching the P-51D treatment but on a much larger airframe
- Massive radial cowl unchanged from the razorback; the bulk of the aircraft makes the canopy look small by comparison
- Eight .50 cal gun muzzles still clearly visible in the wing leading edge — the armament signature that the bubble-top retained unchanged
Against the razorback D: bubble canopy and lowered spine conclusive. Against the P-51D: the Thunderbolt is much larger, with a radial cowl versus the Mustang's slim inline nose and chin scoop.
Specifications
- The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Bubble-top) has a length of 11.02 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.42 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 697 km/h (433 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
From the P-47D-25-RE onward, Republic adopted the British-developed bubble canopy, restoring the tactical visibility lost by the razorback spine. Bubble-top Thunderbolts continued in USAF service post-war and flew with many foreign air forces into the 1950s.
Variants
D-25 through D-40 are bubble-tops; the P-47M was a high-speed sprint variant (razorback); the P-47N added a longer wing for Pacific range.
Where you'll see it
The most common surviving P-47 variant at airshows; several fly in North America and Europe. Kermit Weeks and the Planes of Fame collection operate examples.
Related aircraft
- Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (Razorback)
- Republic F-105 Thunderchief
- Arado E.580
- Bell XP-77
- Blohm & Voss BV 155
- Curtiss SC Seahawk
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