ESM Republic P-47 71" wingspan radio control scale model airplane. Color "DII" SILVER VERSION. Optional retracts available separately. $59 shipping via UPS Ground in the continental US - Must call for air shipping quotes.

Click here to view a RCU thread on electric conversion of a Hurricane This size motor, the E-Flight Power 160 or equivalent is more than enough power for the 80” ESM planes. It can also be used with the 72” ESM planes with smaller batteries.

ESM Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, 71"

The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt produced by ESM, is yet another top notch RC scale airplane design to excite you with both appearance and performance. ESM of China has been importing RC scale airplanes into the USA and Canada for a few years now, and in that time ESM has become recognized as a new industry leader in highly detailed, great flying, ARF’s. Not only are the ESM ARF’s highly detailed, and great flying, they are extremely affordable for anyone to enjoy!

The P-47D, as with all of ESM’s RC scale airplanes, come already painted at the factory, have pre-applied decals (which are then covered with a clear coat at the factory), have factory functional flaps (if the full scale version also had flaps), and come with one of the more complete hardware packages anywhere…including screws, rods, fuel tanks, etc.  

All ESM planes are painted with a very high quality enamel paint which is resistant to oil, grease, and fuels. The high gloss paints are of course easier to clean than the low gloss. These paints can be painted over for weathering and the like.

Most ESM scale RC airplanes have epoxy resin fiberglass fuselages, with the wings being typical built up, and then covered with Solartex fabric, which is then painted for a perfect match! While all ESM scale RC planes come from the factory with conventional gear and wheels, ESM also offers a complete line of retracts for each individual plane, adding to the level of scale realism that all scale pilots look for in an ARF. It doesn’t end there, ESM offers separately a full line of scale accessories like bombs, gear doors, pilots, external fuel tanks and more, specifically designed to help those builders who want the most realism possible, without having to spend hours designing and building all these extra scale goodies.

Here at TBM we know that things can happen, and because of this, we work very hard with ESM to provide you with many spare parts. Simply refer to your warranty for further information as to parts availability.

The ESM Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, as with all of the ESM line of ARF scale RC airplanes, look and fly so realistically that we are confident that you will be extremely pleased!  ESM is continually working on producing new RC scale aircraft, and most of these new offerings will be available with wingspans of 80 inches or more so that they will meet or exceed IMAA legal requirements…so be sure to come back often to see what new  ARF scale RC aircraft TBM and ESM have coming out!

The Republic p-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the Juggernaut or 'Jug', was the largest single engine fighter plane of its day. Originally designed as an interceptor it was later turned into one of the most versatile and durable ground attack aircraft of its generation.

The C version of the P-47 entered service with the 56th fighter group in September 1942. The 56th was deployed to England in 1942, along with the 4th and 6th fighter groups supporting the bombers of the 8th Air Force. The 4th and 6th were largely experienced pilots, many of whom were US volunteers with the RAF, who had joined the US forces after America entered the war. The British were impressed by the P-47's size, and joked that the pilots could avoid Luftwaffe gunfire by running back and forth inside the fuselage. In part because of its size and speed, it was quickly nicknamed the 'Juggernaut' or 'Jug' for short. The P-47 D was introduced quickly after the P-47 first entered combat, making several small changes, such as more cooling flaps exitting the engine cowl to reduce heat build up, armour protection and larger fuel tanks (adding almost 70 Gallons of fuel), plus the addition of tanks.

These changes allowed the P-47 to excel in its role as an escort aircraft. Some D's were also fitted with bubbletop canopies.

With the addition of tanks, the P-47 could escort bombers deep into Germany, and this often led to a long flight home with a bored pilot and guns flush with ammo. As a result many flights engaged targets of opportunity, typically German convoys or other ground targets. It was quickly realized that the durability of the massive radial engine allowed it to survive ground fire that would have brought down other aircraft, the Mustang or Spitfire. The 8 .50 calibre machine guns made short work of lightly armoured targets. For the rest of the war it was primarily used in this role, destroying 90000 train cars and engines, 6000 tanks and armoured vehicles, and 68000 trucks. An impressive tally. No wonder when the USAF was looking for a name for the A-10 the called it the 'Thunderbolt II'!