Originally conceived as a lightweight fighter, the P-47 ended up as the heaviest single-engine fighter flown by the Army Air Forces.
The P-47 was used as both a high-altitude escort fighter and a low-level fighter-bomber.
More P-47s were produced than any other US fighter before or since.
Production began in 1942, and on September 20, 1944, the 10,000th P-47 rolled off the line to much fanfare, including aviatrix Jackie Cochran, the head of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, dubbing the aircraft "10 Grand".
Just 10 months later, the 15,000th P-47 came off the line.
It entered service with the 56th and 78th Fighter Groups in late 1942 and saw its first combat on April 8, 1943, escorting B-17s and B-24s over Europe.
The P-47 picked up the nickname "Jug," because it was something of a juggernaut - heavy, extremely sturdy, and well armed.
