A similar attempt to improve performance resulted in the XP-47J.
Unlike the XP-47H, the sole XP-47J was a newly built airframe, with many changes to reduce weight.
The aircraft was fitted with a 2,800 hp R-2800-57C engine with a CH-5 supercharger, housed in a redesigned streamlined cowling.
Armament was reduced to six M2 Brownings.
The XP-47J was first flown on November 26, 1943, and on August 4, 1944, it became the first piston-engined
fighter to exceed 500 mph, with a speed of 504 mph, making it the fastest Thunderbolt variant.
A production version of the XP-47J was cancelled in favour of another Thunderbolt development, the XP-72, as were plans for installing an R-2800-61 engine with contra-rotating propellors.
Specifications
Crew
1
Dimensions
Length
33.30 ft (10.15 m)
Width
40.78 ft (12.43 m)
Height
14.21 ft (4.33 m)
Weights
Empty Weight
9,663 lb (4,383 kg)
Max Take-off Weight
16,788 lb (7,615 kg)
Powerplant
1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57C turbo,
Supercharged, air-cooled, radial piston engine,
Developing 2,800 horsepower and driving a four-bladed propeller.
