Nicknamed the "Jug" for its bulky shape, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was considered a monster of a machine. Despite its size, the Thunderbolt proved to be a fast and maneuverable warbird able to hold its own in combat. In fact, when Allied pilots climbed aboard a P-47, they knew the were in control of a fighting machine with enormous power. More importantly, they knew that if their aircraft was hit by gunfire, they had an excellent chance of making it home.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a P-47D Thunderbolt, nicknamed "Harriet", was attached to the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, 65th Fighter Wing, then deployed to Boxted, England, during May 1944. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-3/4-inches
Length: 6-inches

Release Date: May 2007

Historical Account: "Ditching at Sea" - Whenever a bomber mission was launched, two P47's of the ASR would take off from Boxted, Engand. The aircraft would track the bombers over the channel listening for any distress calls. When a call for help came one P47 would keep circling over the spot where the incident occurred, the aircraft would drop flares or a small dinghy, then return to base to refuel and be replaced by another P47. The other original thunderbolt would keep listening in case there were any further incidents. So all the time bomber formations were over the channel, there were two P47's in the air keeping watch. When a pilot or crewman came down in the sea motor launches would be alerted to pick them up.