When a P-47 was captured, the Germans were equally puzzled by the Thunderbolt’s interior. Luftwaffe General Adolf Galland wrote that the cockpit was big enough to walk around in.

Both aircraft could also absorb incredible amounts of damage. The P-47 was legendary for its tough construction and large, armored cockpit.

The P-47 Thunderbolt crashed Friday in the Hudson River during a promotion for the American Airpower Museum.

Production P-47B, C, early D and G series aircraft were built with metal-framed "greenhouse"-type cockpit canopies.

Over 15,000 P-47 Thunderbolts were produced during WWII, with a third being lost and their class combat in Central America.

Officials place a World War II vintage P-47 on the Wall Street Heliport pier Saturday after removing it from the Hudson River. The Thunderbolt aircraft crashed into the river Friday.

The P-47Ms, which served after the Luftwaffe was largely defeated, claimed only fifteen of those victories—though that included at least seven jet aircraft.

Hertel left the aircraft with an ACC commander's coin, P-47 patch, and Heritage Flight memorabilia to remember the day he was finally reunited with his old pal.

Famous aircraft : the P-47 Thunderbolt / by Len Morgan; scale drawings: Richard Groh ...