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  P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt Serial Number 45-49385  
Peruvian Air Force
Former Assignments
USAAF

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Justin Taylan 2004

Aircraft History
Built by Republic at the Indiana Division of Republic Aviation in Evansville, IN. Constructor Number 5924. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt serial number 45-49385. BOC July 20, 1945. Stricken July 14, 1953.

Postwar
During March 1953, transfered to the Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP) / Peruvian Air Force as serial number 549. Later, reserialed as serial number 127. During 1963-1969 stored at Piura Airfield.

During July 24, 1969 acquired by Ed Jurist / Vintage Aircraft International Ltd. of Nyack, NY who registered the aircraft with the FAA as N47DF.

Disassembled and transported aboard the SS Rosaldina and shipped to Brownsville, TX arriving on September 5, 1969. Reassembled by the Confederate Air Force (CAF) at Harlingen, TX and restored to flying status as of 1973. Painted in the markings of P-47D "Unadilla Killa" 42-28790 assigned to the 354th Fighter Group (354th FG).

Acquired by Tom Friedkin, Carlsbad-Palomar, CA during 1974. During 1975, purchased by David Tallichet / Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation (MARC) and stored at Barstow-Daggett, CA.

On July 3, 1980 crashed on take off from Barstow Airport. Afterwards, rebuilt at Tulsa, OK, and completed in Casper, WY in 1986. First flight on July 18, 1986.

During 1986-1990, loaned to the Liberal Air Museum (Mid-America Air Museum). During October 1990, began a ferry flight from Topeka, Kansas bound for Chino Airport. Force landed near Flagstaff, Arizona and transported by truck to Chino Airport. During 1991-1993, restored to airworthy condition.

During May 1994 acquired by William Klaers and Alan Wojciak / Klaers Aircraft who completed restoration at Rialto Airport. First flight on December 16, 1995. Painted in the markings of P-47D 45-49385 with fuselage code WZ-A on the left side and B-WZ on the right side. During 1996-2002 owned by Ted R. Melsheimer, Carson City, NV.

Again acquired by William Klaers and Alan Wojciak of Westpac Aviation. First flight on on July 18, 1986. During 2004, this Thunderbolt was being re-restored with 100% original equipment, including a fully-functioning turbo supercharger.

Displayed inside the hanger at the National Museum of World War II Aviation / WestPac Restorations at Colorado Springs Airport.

References
FAA - N47DF Listed as co-owned by Alan J. Wojciak and other owner William R. Klaers
Warbird Registry - Thunderbolt 45-49385
Thanks to William R. Klaers and Allan Wojciak for additional information

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Last Updated
October 1, 2022

 

Tech Info
P-47
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