X-Nico

3 unusual facts about Republic P-43 Lancer


Republic P-43 Lancer

:Proposed version with Pratt & Whitney R-2180-1 engine with 1,400 hp (1,044 kW); none built.

An additional 125 P-43A-1s were ordered for China through the Lend-Lease program, originally intended to equip the Third American Volunteer Group (AVG).

The Lend-Lease aircraft were delivered to China through Claire Chennault's American Volunteer Group, the "Flying Tigers".


103d Airlift Wing

The group converted to Republic P-47 Thunderbolts in July and supported the assault on southern France in August by dive-bombing gun positions, bridges, and radarfacilities, and by patrolling the combat zone.

120 Squadron Royal Netherlands Air Force

The British-led South East Asia Command, which was responsible for the western NEI at the time, ordered that the squadron proceed to Surabaya where it relieved Royal Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts.

Alexander Preinfalk

Alexander Preinfalk was shot down on 12 December 1944 by an American P-47 over Bruchsal, Germany and died after he bailed out.

Herbert O. Fisher

After test flights of a P-47C on November 13, 1942, Republic Aviation issued a press release on December 1, 1942, claiming that Lts.

Kobler Field

The airfield was named after Lt. Wayne F. Kobler, a 19th Fighter Squadron pilot who was killed on 27 June 1944 while flying his P-47 on a low-level attack mission on Tinian.


see also