Luftwaffe Never Expected P 47 Thunderbolts To Carry Half B 17's Bomb Load Discover how ✈️ the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt reshaped the skies of World War II, evolving from a dismissed “heavy fighter” into one of history’s most lethal and versatile warplanes. Nicknamed the “Jug,” this seven-ton powerhouse carried up to 2,500 pounds of bombs—half the payload of a B-17—while maintaining air superiority with a remarkable 4.6:1 kill ratio. Built by Republic Aviation, 15,683 Thunderbolts flew over 746,0