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The P-47 Thunderbolt was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive single-engined fighter aircraft in history. The "Big Stud" was flown over Europe during WW2 by an American Ace who led the 325th Fighter Group. The "Big Stud" can now be found in our collection here at The Musuem of Flight.
Originally planned to be a lightweight interceptor, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt evolved into a heavyweight fighter plane, weighing up to eight tons when fully loaded. It was the largest single-engined fighter of its era and a vast improvement over its predecessor, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. With twice the weight of a Spitfire and an 18-cylinder, 2,600-horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp that could push her to over 440mph and up to 40,000 feet.