CAF Airbase Georgia Advances P-47N Thunderbolt Restoration with Focus on Hydraulics, Electrics, and Sheet Metal
CAF Airbase Georgia has released an update on the ongoing restoration of its Republic P-47N Thunderbolt, serial number 44-89136. Significant progress has been made on various systems, including hydraulics, electrical components, the canopy, and oil-cooling systems. Volunteers have been actively installing the oil tank, hydraulic components, landing gear hardware, and wiring throughout the aircraft. Extensive sheet-metal repairs are also underway, particularly around the wings, leading edges, gun bays, and closeout panels. Much of this work involves manufacturing replacement parts for those that are missing or too damaged to be reused, such as a curved fitting for a gun bay door and the missing hydraulic reservoir. The sheet-metal team, which includes retired Delta Air Lines personnel, is fabricating complex components like wing closeout panels. Machinist John Flynn is leading the reconstruction of the missing rudder bar and pedal assembly using original Republic Aviation drawings. The electrically operated...