The P-47 Thunderbolt was a fighter-bomber used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Over 15,000 planes were built during its operational lifetime. With the aid of drop tanks (auxiliary fuel tanks), the P-47 could cover long distances and was feared because of its eight .50 caliber guns. The P-47 was the heaviest single engine WWII fighter and the first piston powered fighter to exceed 500 mph.
This P-47 has been painted to represent "Snafu" as flown by the 78th Fighter Group stationed in England in late 1944 to battle enemy Luftwaffe fighters and provide escort to Allied heavy bombers. It has been restored to its wartime condition by The Fighter Collection, a private operator of airworthy vintage military aircraft based at historic Duxford Airfield in Cambridgeshire, UK.