First flight of the prototype XP-47B was on 6 May 1941. The 56th and 78th Fighter Groups were the first units to use what was the largest and heaviest single engine single seat -fighter produced during World War II. During the war, the T-Bolt served with the USAAF, RAF, Mexico, Brazil, the Free French, and the USSR. Post-war the "Jug" served many air forces into the 1960's. USAF "T-Bolts" served 28 different Air National Guard squadrons until 1955.

The Planes of Fame P-47D was delivered to the USAAF in May 1945 and assigned to Air Material Command until transfer to Peru via the Mutual Defense Assistance Program in 1953. It served the Fuerza Aerea del Peru until 1967. In 1969 it was recovered from Peru by Ed Jurist with five other P-47's and returned to the US by ship. It was based in Texas, California, and Great Britain before coming to Planes of Fame. Named "Big Chief," this P-47D is painted in the markings of the 56th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. The 56th Fighter Group scored more air to air victories than any other 8th Air Force fighter group.