Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, Blue Flight (early scheme in olive-drab and medium gray finish -- note Brazilian star with the Southern Cross in the centre and unframed sidebars). Rudder striping is in green (leading) and yellow. Mission markings (bombs) are in yellow as well as the serial number on the fin. The aircraft code is in white.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, Deputy Group Leaderīs aircraft (late scheme in natural metal and olive-drab anti-glare panels in front and behind the cockpit). Simplified Brazilian star without the Southern Cross in the centre of the star and insignia blue framed sidebars. Aircraft code (number "2") is in black as well as its serial number.

Photos: R.D. da Cunha

The pictures above have been taken from one of the two P-47D-30 from the Museu Aeroespacial, which is finished as 'D5', the aircraft flown in Italy by the then Ten.-Av. José Rebello Meira de Vasconcelos. Note the two different star styles.

The picture on the right shows a panel of a Thunderbolt, with the original painting of the "Senta a Pua" badge. You may note that:

• The badge is not a circle but is egg-shaped, so that it could fit in the panel and not be obstructed by the cowling; only later, back in Brazil, the badge was painted on a circular device (on other aircraft).
• There is no flak cloud on the top right quarter, since this was added only after the first combat mission; it appeared only on replacement aircraft.

More pictures

You may click here for pictures of a restored P-47D Thunderbolt displayed at the "Veteran's Museum" in Curitiba, State of Paraná (pictures by courtesy of Mr. Marco Flavio Mattana).