~~ Affectionately known as the "Jug", Republic's P-47 Thunderbolt was built in greater numbers than any other U.S. Fighter in history. Known for its rugged reliability, P-47s were often flown safely home with battle damage that would have brought down almost any other fighter. While most other fighters of its time were armed with four or six machine guns, the Thunderbolt's eight .50 caliber weapons provided a lethal punch that meant the quick destruction of enemy aircraft as well as targets on the ground.

~~ The P-47N was the final production variant of the Thunderbolt, and it was specifically designed for missions of very long duration. To increase its range, Republic redesigned the wing to make it larger than that used on previous variants. The wing span was increased, and blunt tips replaced the curved design used on earlier versions. Internal fuel capacity rose from 305 gallons on the P-47D to 556 gallons on the P-47N. Carrying external fuel tanks, a P-47N could take off with up to 1,236 gallons of fuel.

~~ During World War II, P-47Ns served exclusively in the Pacific Theater, where their long range was used to escort B-29s on raids against the Japanese homeland. Usually flying with two or three external fuel tanks, the P-47Ns would take off from the island of Le Shima on missions to Japan that would last up to nine hours in duration.

~~ Beginning with the P-47N-5-RE production block, zero length rocket launchers were added under the wings, and up to ten 5-inch rockets could be carried. Some P-47N-1-REs were modified to P-47N-5-RE standards at field depots and thus had the capability to carry rockets at that time. These modified aircraft were redesignated to P-47N-2-REs.

~~ After World War II, the P-47N remained in service with the U.S. Army Air Forces. In 1948, the USAAF became the United States Air Force, and the Thunderbolts still in service were redesignated as F-47s to reflect the change in official classification from pursuit to fighter. The final operational service of F-47Ns was with the Air National Guard.