6 MAY--This Day in US Military History

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 07:58:50 -0400

1941 – The first flight of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single piston engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to eight tons, and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack roles could carry five-inch rockets or a significant bomb load of 2,500 pounds; it could carry more than half the payload of the B-17 bomber on long-range missions (although the B-17 had a far greater range). The P-47, based on the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine—the same engine used by two very successful U.S. Navy fighters, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and Vought F4U Corsair—was to be very effective as a short-to-medium range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and, when unleashed as a fighter-bomber, proved especially adept at ground attack in both the World War II European and Pacific Theaters.
The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and served with other Allied air forces, notably those of France, Britain, and Russia. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the U.S. were equipped with the P-47. The armored cockpit was roomy inside, comfortable for the pilot, and offered good visibility.
A modern-day U.S. ground-attack aircraft, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, takes its name from the P-47

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2014/05/06/may-6/

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May 6

6 May 1856 - U.S. Army troops from Fort Tejon and Fort Miller prepared to ride out to protect Keyesville, California, from Yokut Indian attack. 1861 - Richmond, Virginia is declared the new capital...

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 6 at 2015 8:21 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 06 May 2015 08:21:25 -0400

I so love history! Keep'em coming!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2015 10:30 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 May 2015 10:30:31 -0400

The grand-daddy of the A-10, I consider the Skyraider the daddy.
I keep forgetting about the Wilderness Campaign. I guess since I live in PA it's all about Gettysburg.