It’s been some time since we last updated our supporters on the restoration of Republic P‑47D‑40‑RA, serial number 45‑49167, currently underway at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL. In our last 2024 update, we shared an appeal to help us identify the “Rosie the Riveter” from the Republic factory in Evansville, IN, who had signed her name on a hidden bulkhead behind the pilot’s seat—untouched since the aircraft left the assembly line in 1944.
See that article at this link: “Help us find a “Rosie the Riveter” that helped build our P-47 Thunderbolt in Evansville, IN!” – Feb 13, 2024
We’re thrilled to report that we found her! The signature belongs to Mary Edith Tharp, a Republic Aircraft employee who worked on the P‑47 production line until the end of World War II. Her great-nephew, Chad Halterman of Martinsville, IN—himself a pilot—recognized her name through our Facebook posts. Mary passed away in 2015 at age 91, but Chad has preserved her memorabilia from her time at Republic. He shared that Mary worked in fabricating fuselage bulkheads and structures behind the pilot’s compartment, as well as in the turbosupercharger section—making the location of her signature perfectly fitting.
Initially, we were puzzled by the addition of “Sue” before her name, but further research suggests it may have referred to a co-worker, one of several “Sues” on the production line. We’ve searched Republic factory newsletters from 1943–1944 to identify her but haven’t yet confirmed which Sue it was. That search continues. In the process, we discovered that Mary was a standout athlete for the Republic Raiderettes women’s basketball team. Thanks to Chad, the family plans to donate Mary’s Republic memorabilia to the American Heritage Museum, helping us share her story and her contribution to this remarkable aircraft.
When Mary’s signature was first discovered, the P‑47 had just begun disassembly for corrosion control and repairs. These were necessary due to its years in Peruvian Air Force service and damage sustained during the late 1970s while on outdoor display at a Florida restaurant. Over the past year, the airframe and wings have undergone extensive work to return the aircraft to its original, airworthy configuration.
The next phase will focus on the meticulous piece‑by‑piece rebuild of the turbosupercharger system and a complete overhaul of the Pratt & Whitney R‑2800‑59 engine. Once reassembled and back in the skies, the restored P‑47 will return to the American Heritage Museum, where it will be featured in a planned aviation wing expansion—bringing together and displaying all aircraft in our collection.
Click here to learn more about the P-47 Thunderbolt Restoration Project
Photo Gallery
Click on the images below for a larger image. Some images of artifacts of Mary Edith Thorp provided by Chad Halterman include the original P-47 structures manual, a handwritten list of fellow Republic workers by Mary for a day’s lunch order, and a parts requisition signed by Mary for a tool. Other images of current restoration progress provided by American Aero Services.
