The plane, owned by Bruce Eames, of Houston, Texas, was restored by AirCorps Aviation of Bemidji, Minnesota.

Warren Pietsch, one of the founders and board member of the air museum, said Thunderbolt took part in World War II and represents a plane flown by Brig. Gen. William “Bill” Dunham, originally from Nezperce, Idaho.

According to AirCorps Aviation information, Dunham was a World War II ace who served in the Pacific Theater. The markings on the plane are of Dunham’s third P-47D-23RA Bonnie during the time he led the 460th Fighter Squadron over the Philippines. That plane was named for Dunham’s sweetheart and later wife, Bonnie Dunham.

The P-47 was one of the most famous U.S. Army Air Forces fighter planes in World War II.

Thunderbolt, a P-47D, prepares for flight by pilot Bernie Vasquez, of Vacaville, Calif., during the Flag Day event held at the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot in June. The plane is the only Republic Aviation-built razorback P-47D currently flying in the world.

World War II history about P-47D Bonnie is sketchy. Now part of the Bruce Eames Collection of warbirds at the Minot air museum, the plane was recovered from Papua, New Guinea, in the 1990s, according to AirCorps information. Following restoration at AirCorps Aviation, the plane returned to flight at AirCorps Aviation headquarters in Bemidji in May 2023.

Bernie Vasquez, of Vacaville, California, is the pilot of the P-47D Bonnie.

Dakota Territory Air Museum is open through Sunday and then closes for the season.