The American Heritage Museum uncovered an amazing piece of history on our Republic P-47D Thunderbolt restoration that we need your help with! As our restoration team in Florida at American Aero Services removed the components of the turbosupercharger (turbocharger) section in the aft fuselage for restoration, they found the name of a woman who likely helped construct the aircraft. This particular P-47D, s/n 45-49167, was on the production line of Republic Aircraft in Evansville, IN in late 1944 and it is likely that this woman was working on fuselage construction. We think her name is “Sue Tharp” or “Sue Thorp”… what do you see?

It was common for workers to pencil their names on the aircraft they helped to construct, either casually or in a more official form as an inspector. As this area behind the cockpit in a fairly hidden area that wouldn’t have been easily seen after construction, it’s no wonder that it has survived for 80 years! We sincerely hope to find Sue or her family and we’d appreciate any help you can provide! Email us at ahm@collingsfoundation.org if you know anything!

And if you have a connection to the P-47 Thunderbolt and would like to help us fund the restoration effort, please find more information on how to do so at this link!