Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Bubble Top' Steel Skinning Relic Display by Ron Cole
Own a rare piece of a Republic P-47D 'Bubble Top' Thunderbolt! Made of stainless steel to dissipate heat, this original and very well-preserved panel covered this aircraft's unique and ahead of its time supercharger system - the technology that made this warbird so successful fighting at high altitudes, as portraited in the beautiful artwork that is paired with this piece of World War II aviation history. Republic P-47D Thunderbolt serial number 42-26671, notably nicknamed "No Guts-No Glory!" and bearing the fuselage code MX-X, served a distinguished operational history in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during World War II. Assigned to the 82nd Fighter Squadron of the 78th Fighter Group stationed at RAF Duxford in England, this aircraft participated in the grueling air campaigns that defined the Eighth Air Force's contribution to the Allied victory. The 78th Fighter Group, having transitioned to Thunderbolts in early 1943, was instrumental in pioneering long-range bomber escort and ground-strafing missions across occupied Europe and into Germany. Piloted by notable aviators such as Major Norman Douglas Munson and Ben Mayo, 42-26671 engaged in critical operations including sweeps over the Pas de Calais, D-Day support, and deep penetrations into enemy territory. On July 19, 1944, Major Munson was hit by anti-aircraft fire while strafing ground targets near Grosselfingen, Germany and "No Guts-No Glory" was destroyed in the crash. Each display measures 11x17-inches (artwork size, the black frame adds 1.5-inches to each side), is signed & numbered (1 of 120) and is ready to hang! Hand built in Zanesville, Ohio!