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Republic F-84 Thunderstreak

1954 COLD WAR X-PLANE

The History of the Republic F-84 Thunderstreak

The original F-84 "Thunderjet" appeared in 1947 as a straight-wing jet fighter. However, the design originated in the wartime (WWII) United States Army Air Force (USAAF).

It went through a longer development phase in 1944, and did not fly until the end of the war in 1946, before it entered service in a usable D-type form in 1949. The genre was plagued by engine issues and production delays that nearly derailed this classic American product from the Ever Seeing Service.

Like Grumman's F9F "Cougar" jet fighter, the Thunderjet was another American straight-wing jet that evolved into a swept-wing shape - this became the eventual F-84F "Thunderstreak", although the source The original F-84 line of products was essentially an all-new aircraft that would eventually become the United States Air Force (USAF).

The origins of Thunderstreak lie in the work done in 1949 around the "AP-23M" proposal to develop a powerful jet fighter based on the existing framework of the F-84E Thunderjet. The E model is powered by an Allison J35-A-17D turbojet engine and supports RATO (Rocket Assisted Takeoff) canisters for improved take-off performance, as well as internal and external fuel tanks for increased operational range.

Additionally, the fuselage was lengthened by more than a foot to allow for more internal fuel as well as an overall streamlined fuselage. About 843 production samples were generated from this standard.

The F-84F was built with a crew member under a light-frame canopy behind the nose air intake. The overall length of the fuselage is 43.4 feet, with a wingspan of 33.7 feet and a height of 14.4 feet. The curb weight is close to 14,000 pounds, and the MTOW is 28,000 pounds.

Top speed is 695 mph, range is up to 810 miles (with two drop tanks), service is capped at 46,000 feet (requires cockpit pressurization), and climb rate is 8,200 feet per minute.

In addition to its largest global operator, the U.S. Air Force, many of the U.S. NATO allies in Europe have become major recipients of the new jet fighter. These included the Belgian, West German and Dutch air forces, which received the model as early as early 1955 (about 852 of the Thunder's total production were shipped to NATO troops in Europe). The last Thunderstreak was delivered in August 1957.

After its failure, the former West German F-84 was sold to allies Greece and Turkey, while the US Air Force sent its own expired inventory to recipients in Europe, as well as the more local US Air National Guard (ANG). The latter received Thunderstreaks from July 1964 and ran until November 1971.

Additionally, a pair of XF-84H prototypes with Allison XT40-A-1 turboprops were produced on the F-84F line and tested under the designation "Thunderscreech" - although these prototypes did not further development. The YF-84J brand, two of which were built to standard, had enlarged nose air intakes to provide better airflow for the GE J73 turbojets.

Flying at Mach 1.09 on April 7, 1954, this potential production standard F-84F aircraft was also undeveloped.

In addition to the designated operator of the Thunderstreak line, customers include Denmark, France, Italy, Norway and Taiwan. Italy used Thunderstreaks until 1974.

Many of the planes have survived various indoor and outdoor displays around the world - most of the survivors are in the United States.