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Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

{{Short description|1950 fighter-bomber aircraft}}

{{Infobox aircraft

|name= F-84F Thunderstreak
RF-84F Thunderflash

|image= File:91st Tactical Fighter Squadron - Republic F-84F-50-RE Thunderstreak - 52-6852.jpg

|caption= USAF F-84F Thunderstreak

|type= Fighter-bomber
Reconnaissance aircraft

|national_origin= United States|

|manufacturer= Republic Aviation

|first_flight= June 3, 1950

|introduction= May 12, 1954

|retired= 1972 (US ANG)
1991 (Greece)

|status=

|primary_user= United States Air Force

|more_users= German Air Force
Italian Air Force
Belgian Air Force

|produced=

|number_built= 3,428

|developed_from= Republic F-84 Thunderjet

|variants= Republic XF-84H Thunderscreech

}}

The Republic F-84F Thunderstreak is an American swept-wing turbojet-powered fighter-bomber. The RF-84F Thunderflash is variant of the F-84F that was designed for photo reconnaissance.

The design was originally intended to be a relatively simple upgrade to the F-84 Thunderjet to make it more competitive with the F-86 Sabre, differing largely in the use of a swept-wing and tail. Given the small number of changes, it was assigned the next model letter in the F-84 series, F. The prototypes demonstrated a number of performance and handling issues, which resulted in marginal improvement over the previous versions. Production was repeatedly delayed and another run of the straight-wing Thunderjets were completed as the G models.

Looking for a clear performance edge compared to the G models, the engine was upgraded to the much more powerful British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire built in the United States as the Wright J65. The larger engine required the fuselage to be stretched into an oval shape and the air intake to be modified. With these and other changes, the design was finally ready to enter production, but only a fraction of the original production systems could be used and the aircraft was effectively a new design. It finally entered service in November 1954, by which time the Sabre had also undergone many upgrades and the Thunderstreak was relegated to the fighter-bomber role. Its time as a front-line design was brief; it began to be moved to secondary roles as early as 1958.

F-84Fs were then offered to NATO member countries and other allies, who took them up in large numbers. Operators included the Belgian Air Force, Royal Danish Air Force, French Air Force, West German Air Force, Hellenic Air Force, Italian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Republic of China Air Force, Turkish Air Force, and for a brief period using ex-French examples, the Israeli Air Force.

Development

In 1948, a swept wing version of the F-84 was created with the hope of bringing performance to the level of the F-86. The last production F-84E was fitted with a swept tail, a new wing with 38.5 degrees of leading edge sweep and 3.5 degrees of anhedral, and a J35-A-25 engine producing 5,300 pound-force (23.58 kN) of thrust.Knaack 1978, p. 42. The aircraft was designated XF-96A. It flew on 3 June 1950 with Oscar P. Haas at the controls.{{cite web |title=Chronology: 1950-1959 |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/chronology-1950-1959/ |website=Air Force Magazine |publisher=Air Force Association |access-date=29 January 2022 |date=24 November 2018}} Although the airplane was capable of 602 knots (693 mph, 1,115 km/h), the performance gain over the F-84E was considered minor. Nonetheless, it was ordered into production in July 1950 as the F-84F Thunderstreak. The F-84 designation was retained because the fighter was expected to be a low-cost improvement of the straight-wing Thunderjet with over 55 percent commonality in tooling.

File:F-84F Thunderstreak and RF-84F Thunderflash prototypes in flight 1952.JPEG

In the meantime, the USAF, hoping for improved high-altitude performance from a more powerful engine, arranged for the British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire turbojet engine to be built in the United States as the Wright J65. To accommodate the larger engine, YF-84Fs with a British-built Sapphire as well as production F-84Fs with the J65 had a vertically stretched fuselage, with the air intake attaining an oval cross-section. Production delays with the F-84F forced the USAF to order a number of straight-wing F-84Gs as an interim measure.

Production quickly ran into problems. Although tooling commonality with the Thunderjet was supposed to be 55 percent, in reality only fifteen percent of tools could be reused. To make matters worse, the F-84F utilized press-forged wing spars and ribs. At the time, only three presses in the United States could manufacture these, and priority was given to the Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber over the F-84. The YJ65-W-1 engine was considered obsolete and the improved J65-W-3 did not become available until 1954. When the first production F-84F finally flew on 22 November 1952, it differed from the service test aircraft. It had a different canopy which opened up and back instead of sliding to the rear (a unique design, the canopy was mounted on a pair of hydraulic rams and a pivoted lever arm that allowed it to lift up and backwards while remaining almost level with the fuselage, instead of the more common simple hinged canopy), as well as airbrakes on the sides of the fuselage instead of the bottom of the aircraft. The aircraft was considered not ready for operational deployment due to control and stability problems. The first 275 aircraft, equipped with conventional stabilizer-elevator tailplanes, suffered from accelerated stall pitch-up and poor turning ability at combat speeds. Beginning with Block 25, the problem was improved upon by the introduction of a hydraulically powered one-piece stabilator. A number of aircraft were also retrofitted with spoilers for improved high-speed control. As a result, the F-84F was not declared operational until 12 May 1954.

=Thunderflash=

File:15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron Republic RF-84F-30-RE Thunderflash 52-7412.jpg

The second YF-84F prototype was completed with wing-root air intakes. These were not adopted for the fighter due to loss of thrust. However, this arrangement permitted placement of cameras in the nose and the design was adopted for the RF-84F Thunderflash reconnaissance version. The first YRF-84F was completed in February 1952. The aircraft retained an armament of four machine guns and could carry up to fifteen cameras. Innovations included computerized controls which adjusted camera settings for light, speed, and altitude, a periscope to give the pilot better visualization of the target, and a voice recorder to let the pilot narrate his observations. Being largely identical to the F-84F, the Thunderflash suffered from the same production delays and engine problems, delaying operational service until March 1954. The aircraft was retired from active duty in 1957, only to be reactivated in 1961, and finally retired from the ANG in 1972.

Several modified Thunderflashes were used in the FICON project.

Design

File:Instrumentenpaneel in de cockpit van de F-84F (2157 007128).jpg

The Thunderstreak suffered from the same poor takeoff performance as the straight-wing Thunderjet despite having a more powerful engine. In reality, almost 700 pounds-force (3.11 kN) or ten percent of total thrust was lost because the J65 was installed at an angle and its jet pipe was not perfectly straight (in addition to the usual thrust losses from the long jet pipe). On a hot day, 7,500 feet (2,285 m) of runway were required for takeoff roll.Higham, Robin and Carol Williams. Flying Combat Aircraft of USAAF-USAF (Vol.2). Rockville, Maryland: Air Force Historical Foundation, 1978. {{ISBN|0-8138-0375-6}}. A typical takeoff speed was 160 knots (185 mph, 300 km/h). Like the Thunderjet, the Thunderstreak excelled at cruise and had predictable handling characteristics within its performance envelope. Like its predecessor, it also suffered from accelerated stall pitch-up and potential resulting separation of wings from the airplane. In addition, spins in the F-84F were practically unrecoverable and ejection was the only recourse below 10,000 feet (3,000 m).

Operational history

File:F-84F 162nd FS Ohio ANG in flight 1960s.jpg F-84F in the late 1960s]]

File:F-84F Thunderbirds.jpg]]

File:F-84 F FS-384.jpg

Project Run In completed operational tests in November 1954 and found the aircraft to be to USAF satisfaction and considerably better than the F-84G. However, ongoing engine failures resulted in the entire fleet being grounded in early 1955. Also, the J65 engine continued to suffer from flameouts when flying through heavy rain or snow. As the result of the problems, the active duty phaseout began almost as soon as the F-84F entered service in 1954, and was completed by 1958. Increased tensions in Germany associated with construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961 resulted in reactivation of the F-84F fleet. In 1962, the fleet was grounded due to the corrosion of control rods. A total of 1,800 man hours were expended to bring each aircraft to full operational capacity. Stress corrosion eventually forced the retirement of ANG F-84Fs in 1971.

On 9 March 1955, Lt. Col. Robert R. Scott, in a F-84F Thunderstreak, set a three-hour, 44-minute and 53-second record for the {{convert|2,446|mi|km}} flight from Los Angeles to New York.{{cite web|title=Week In History|url=http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/weekinhistory.asp|publisher=U.S. Air Force|access-date=4 March 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723151316/http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/weekinhistory.asp|archive-date=23 July 2012|url-status=dead}}

With the appearance of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, which used wing-root mounted air intakes of a similar design to those fitted on the RF-84F, the photorecon variant Thunderflash became known as the Thud's Mother. The earlier F-84A had been nicknamed the "Hog" and the F-84F "Super Hog," the F-105 becoming the "Ultra Hog".

In what is probably one of the very few air-to-air engagements involving the F-84F, two Turkish Air Force F-84F Thunderstreaks shot down two Iraqi Il-28 Beagle bombers that crossed the Turkish border by mistake during a bombing operation against Iraqi Kurdish insurgents. This engagement took place on 16 August 1962.Cooper, Tom. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20051029135224/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_454.shtml "Europe & Cold War Database: Cyprus, 1955–1973."]}} Air Combat Information Group, 26 October 2003. Retrieved: 8 September 2009.

The F-84F was retired from active service with the USAF in 1964, and replaced by the North American F-100 Super Sabre. The RF-84F was replaced by the RF-101 Voodoo in USAF units, and relegated to duty in the Air National Guard. The last RF-84F Thunderflash retired from the ANG in 1971. Three Hellenic Air Force RF-84Fs that were retired in 1991 were the last operational F-84s.

Variants

File:Italian F.84F.jpg

File:Republic XF-84H in flight.jpg prototype]]

File:Republic YF-84J Thunderstreak.jpg

;YF-84F: Two swept-wing prototypes of the F-84F, initially designated YF-96.

;F-84F Thunderstreak: Swept wing version with Wright J65 engine. Tactical Air Command aircraft were equipped with Low-Altitude Bombing System (LABS) for delivering nuclear bombs. 2,711 built, 1,301 went to NATO under Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP).

;GRF-84F:25 RF-84Fs were converted to be carried, and launched from the bomb bay of a GRB-36F bomber as part of the FICON project. The aircraft were later redesignated RF-84K.

;RF-84F Thunderflash:Reconnaissance version of the F-84F with intakes relocated to the wing-roots, 715 built.

;RF-84K Thunderflash (FICON): RF-84F with a retractable probe for hookup with carrier GRB-36Ds and tailplanes with marked anhedral, 25 redesignated from RF-84F.{{cite book|last=Knaack|first=Marcelle Size|title=Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems|volume=2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945–1973|year= 1988 |publisher= Office of Air Force History|location= Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-59-5 |pages=38–39}}

;XF-84H: Two F-84Fs were converted into experimental aircraft. Each was fitted with an Allison XT40-A-1 turboprop engine of 5,850 shaft horsepower (4,365 kW) driving a supersonic propeller. Ground crews dubbed the XF-84H the Thunderscreech due to its extreme noise output.

;YF-84J: Two F-84Fs were converted into YF-84J prototypes with enlarged nose intakes and a deepened fuselages for the General Electric J73 engine; the YF-84J reached Mach 1.09 in level flight on 7 April 1954. The project was cancelled due to the excessive cost of converting existent F-84Fs.

Operators

File:Thunderstreak-P-191.jpg F-84F]]

File:Republic RF-84F Thunderjet.jpg, Berlin, Germany; note the distinctive Republic-type wing root intakes that led to the RF-84F being called "Thud's Mother", due to the use of similar intakes on the later Republic F-105 Thunderchief|alt=]]

File:127fg-f-84f.jpg RF-84F]]

;{{BEL}}

  • Belgian Air Force - 197 x F-84F, 34 x RF-84F operated from 1955.Stafrace 2014, pp. 32–33.

;{{DNK}}

  • Royal Danish Air Force - 23× RF-84F received, in service from 1957 to 1971.Schrøder, Hans (1991). "Royal Danish Airforce". Ed. Kay S. Nielsen. Tøjhusmuseet, 1991, p. 62. {{ISBN|87-89022-24-6}}.

;{{FRA}}

  • French Air Force - 328 F-84Fs and 88 RF-84Fs received from 1955.Stafrace 2014, p. 37.

;{{GER}}

  • West German Air Force - 450 F-84Fs and 108 RF-84Fs received.Stafrace 2014, p. 42. In service from 1956 to 1966.Stafrace 2014, p. 47.

;{{GRE}}

;{{ISR}}

  • Israeli Air Force - 18 French F-84Fs along with their pilots were temporarily transferred to the IAF during the Suez Crisis.{{cite book |last1=Norton |first1=Bill |title=Air War on the Edge: A History of the Israeli Air Force and Its Aircraft Since 1947 |date=2004 |publisher=Midland Publishing |location=Hinckley, England |isbn=978-1857800883 |page=386 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Air_War_on_the_Edge/q84hAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=F-84F |access-date=28 January 2025}}

;{{ITA}}

  • Italian Air Force - operated 194 Republic F-84F Thunderstreak and 78 RF-84F Thunderflash from 1956 until 1974{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm |date=12 August 2008 |title=Italian Air Force Aircraft Types|website=Aeroflight }}{{cite web | url = http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/storia/museostorico/Pagine/RepublicF84F.aspx | title = Republic F-84 | publisher = Aeronautica Militare | access-date = 31 May 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531161958/http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/storia/museostorico/Pagine/RepublicF84F.aspx |archive-date= 31 May 2019 }}{{cite web | url = http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/mezzi/mstorici/Pagine/REPUBLIC-RF-84F.aspx | title = Republic RF 84F | publisher = Aeronautica Militare | access-date = 31 May 2019}}

;{{NLD}}

;{{NOR}}

;{{TWN-ROC}}

;{{TUR}}

;{{USA}}

Aircraft on display

{{More sources|section|date=September 2024}}

File:Belgische Thunderstreak.jpg

=Belgium=

;F-84F Thunderstreak

  • 52-6584 – FU-197, Balen-Keiheuvel Aerodrome{{cite web|url=http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/content/republic-f-84f-thundertreak-fu-197|title=Republic F-84F Thundertreak FU-197 – Hangar Flying|website=www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be|access-date=2016-10-16|archive-date=2017-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807022226/http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/content/republic-f-84f-thundertreak-fu-197|url-status=dead}}
  • 52-7169 – FU-30, Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels{{Cite web |title=Republic F-84F Thunderstreak |url=https://www.belgian-wings.be/republic-f-84f-thunderstreak-part-1 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Belgian Wings |language=en}}
  • 53-6677 – FU-66, Kleine Brogel Air Base{{Cite web |title=Republic F-84F Thunderstreak |url=https://www.belgian-wings.be/republic-f-84f-thunderstreak-part-2 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Belgian Wings |language=en}}
  • 53-6888 – FU-177, Leopoldsburg/Beverlo Airfield{{cite web|url=http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/content/poortwachter-thunderstreak-fu177|title=Poortwachter Thunderstreak FU177 – Hangar Flying|website=www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be|access-date=2016-10-16|archive-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806222309/http://www.luchtvaarterfgoed.be/content/poortwachter-thunderstreak-fu177|url-status=dead}}

;RF-84F Thunderflash

=Denmark=

;RF-84F

  • C-581 – Flyvestation Karup Historiske Forening Museet, Karup{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/Blogvorm/flyvestation-karups-historiske-forening-museet/|title=Flystation Karup HIstoriske Forening Museet|date=10 January 2016|language=en|access-date=23 June 2016}}
  • C-264 – Danish Collection of Vintage Aircraft, Skjern{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/Blogvorm/danish-collection-of-vintage-aircraft/|title=Danmarks Flymuseum|date=10 January 2016|language=en|access-date=23 June 2016}}

=France=

;F-84F

= Germany =

;F-84F Thunderstreak

  • tactical number BF-106 – Luftwaffenmuseum Gatow - Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • tactical number DD-313 – Luftwaffenmuseum Gatow - Militärhistorisches Museum Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • tactical number DE 254 (s.n.51-1702) – Flugausstellung Peter Junior, Hermeskeil.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • tactical number BF 105 (s.n.52-6778) – Flugausstellung Peter Junior, Hermeskeil.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • tactical number DC-101 - behind main gate, inside Büchel AB, Büchel.{{Cn|date=April 2025}}

;RF-84F Thunderflash

  • tactical number EB-344 – Luftwaffenmuseum Gatow - Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • tactical number EA 241 (s.n.52-7663) – Flugausstellung Peter Junior, Hermeskeil.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

= Greece =

;F-84F Thunderstreak

  • tactical number 26595 - Hellenic Air Force Museum (Μουσείο Πολεμικής Αεροπορίας) {{cite web|url=https://www.haf.gr/history/museum/exhibits/ekthemata-entos-tou-ypostegou-leros/|title=Εκθέματα Εντός του Υποστέγου ΛΕΡΟΣ - Πολεμική Αεροπορία|first=Πολεμική|last=Αεροπορία|website=haf.gr}}
  • tactical number 37050 - Larissa air base [http://stanakshot.free.fr/photos/Grece-air-force/Republic-F-84F-Thunderstreak/10193 Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (37050/050) - Grèce airforce] stanakshot.free.fr

;RF-84F Thunderflash

  • tactical number 17-011 (s/n 51-17011 - ex-Luftwaffe) - Hellenic Air Force Museum (Μουσείο Πολεμικής Αεροπορίας)

;F-84F Thunderstreak

  • tactical number unknown - Rentina Agrafon (Ρεντίνα Αγράφων).{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

= Italy =

;F-84F

;RF-84F Thunderflash

  • 52-7458 – Italian Air Force Museum, Vigna di Valle.{{cite web |title=Museo Storico Aeronautica Militare: Republic RF-84F |url=http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/storia/museostorico/Pagine/RepublicRF84F.aspx |publisher=aeronautica.difesa.it |access-date=10 February 2021}}
  • 52-7456 - private display of P.i.p. Lido, Via Roma Destra, 30016 Venice.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

=Netherlands=

;F-84F

  • 52-7174 - P-119, On display in front of the JTAC school in Schaarsbergen.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-7185 - P-134, in storage at ROCvA Airport College, Hoofddorp{{cite web|url=https://www.nmm.nl/zoeken-in-de-collectie/detail/883240/|title=Republic F-84F 'Thunderstreak' P-134}}
  • 53-6582 - P-229, Stored at Reek; painted as P-312.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 53-6584 - P-248, Gate Guard at Volkel Air Base.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 53-6600 - P-254, in storage at Nationaal Militair Museum, Soesterberg{{cite web|url=https://www.nmm.nl/zoeken-in-de-collectie/detail/883239/ |title=Jachtbommenwerper Republic F-84F 'Thunderstreak' registratienummer P-254}}
  • 53-6604 - P-224, Stored at Reek.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 53-6612 - P-226, on display at Nationaal Militair Museum, Soesterberg{{cite web|url=https://www.nmm.nl/zoeken-in-de-collectie/detail/471202/|title=Jachtbommenwerper Republic F-84F 'Thunderstreak' registratienummer P-226}}
  • 53-6726 - P-230, Nose section only; stored at Nationaal Militair Museum, Soesterberg.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 53-6742 - P-231, Gate Guard at Eindhoven Air Base.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 53-6916 - P-191, Gate Guard at Gilze-Rijen Air Base.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

;RF-84F

  • 51-11253 - TP-19, in storage at Nationaal Militair Museum, Soesterberg{{cite web|url=https://www.nmm.nl/zoeken-in-de-collectie/detail/470769/ |title=Verkenningsvliegtuig Republic RF-84F 'Thunderflash' registratie TP-19}}
  • 53-7644 - FR31, ex. Belgian Air Force. Now displayed as P-7 at Schaarsbergen.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

=Norway=

;RF-84F Thunderflash

=Poland=

;F-84F

  • 52-7157 (Ex-Belgium) – Polish Aviation Museum, Kraków[http://www.skrzydla.org/showphoto.php?photo_id=24209 "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-7157."] skrzydla.org. Retrieved: 7 May 2013.

=Russia=

;F-84F

  • ?-3033 (Ex-Belgium) – Technical Museum, Moscow.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

=Turkey=

;F-84F

;RF-84F

  • 51-1860 - Bursa Uludag University{{cite web|url=https://uludag.edu.tr/mmf/haber/view?id=9812&title=kesif-ucagi-rf-84f-ilk-gunku-ihtisamina-kavustu|title = Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi}}
  • 51-1901 – Istanbul Aviation Museum{{cite web|url=http://www.tayyareci.com/digerucaklar/turkiye/1951ve2006/rf84.asp|title=www.tayyareci.com REPUBLIC RF-84F THUNDERFLASH .. 1951 - 2006 Period TUAF AIRCRAFT 1951 - 2006 dönemi Turk HvKK UCAKLARI|first=Webmaster:Celal|last=UZAR|website=www.tayyareci.com}}
  • 51-1917 – Istanbul Aviation Museum
  • 51-1924 – (ex-Dutch AF as P-24) TUAF Museum, Etimesgut.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

=United Kingdom=

;F-84F

  • 52-6541 – North East Land, Sea and Air Museums, Sunderland[http://www.nelsam.org.uk/NEAM/Exhibits/History/26541.htm "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-6541."] North East Aircraft Museum. Retrieved: 7 May 2013.
  • 52-7133 - Bentwaters Cold War Museum{{cite magazine |title='Streak to Bentwaters |magazine=Aeroplane |date=November 2019 |volume=47 |issue=11 |page=12 |issn=0143-7240}}

=United States=

;XF-84F

;F-84F

File:Barksdale Global Power Museum September 2015 05 (Republic F-84F Thunderstreak).jpg]]

File:17 14 129 F 84F.jpg; note the .50 (12.7 mm) caliber machine gun muzzle openings in the nose (4) and wing roots (2).|alt=]]

File:F-84F from the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum 2018.jpg ]]

  • Unknown – On roadside display (private owner) in Blacksville, West Virginia.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-1386 – Barksdale Global Power Museum, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana[http://barksdaleglobalpowermuseum.com/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1386."] 8th Air Force Museum. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-1620 – Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Glenville, New York[http://www.esam.org/images/F-84%20Photo3.JPG "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1620."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624014252/http://www.esam.org/images/F-84%20Photo3.JPG |date=2016-06-24 }} Empire State Aeorsciences Museum. Retrieved: 14 Jan 2015.
  • 51-1639 – Springfield Downtown Airport, Springfield, Missouri.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-1640 – Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Utah[http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5701 "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1640."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007235537/http://www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5701 |date=2012-10-07 }} Hill Aerospace Museum. Retrieved: 11 October 2012.
  • 51-1659 – Combat Air Museum, Topeka Regional Airport at Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas{{Cite web|title=Republic F84|url=http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/republicf84.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=www.combatairmuseum.org}}
  • 51-1713 – Delta County Airport in Escanaba, Michigan.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-1714 – Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska[http://www.sasmuseum.com/aircraft/f-84f-thunderstreak/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1714."] Strategic Air & Space Museum. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-1739 – Korean War memorial South Whitley, Indiana[http://www.coastcomp.com/av/pres/oldafjet.htm "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1739."] coastcomp.com
  • 51-1772 – Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, California[http://www.aerospaceca.org/republic-f-84f-thunderstreak/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1772."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421043523/http://www.aerospaceca.org/republic-f-84f-thunderstreak/ |date=2016-04-21 }} Aerospace Space Museum of California. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-1786 – Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton, Virginia[http://www.vasc.org/visit/exhibits/aircraft "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-1786."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318055040/http://vasc.org/visit/exhibits/aircraft |date=2017-03-18 }} Virginia Air & Space Center. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-1797 – Ohio ANG Base in Springfield, Ohio.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-1817 – Camp Robinson in Little Rock, Arkansas.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-1818 – Fairfield MAP in Iowa.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-1822 – Illinois ANG Base in Springfield, Illinois.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9350 – Air Force Flight Test Center Museum at Edwards AFB, California[http://afftcmuseum.org/exhibits/museum-aircraft-exhibits/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-9350."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102195232/http://afftcmuseum.org/exhibits/museum-aircraft-exhibits/ |date=2017-01-02 }} Air Force Flight Test Center Museum. Retrieved: 7 April 2015.
  • 51-9396 – Holloman AFB, New Mexico.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9430 – Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. False markings of 52-7066 applied.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9432 – March Field Air Museum in Riverside, California[http://www.marchfield.org/aircraft-exhibits/aircraft/f-84f-thunderstreak-republic/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-9432."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801013858/http://www.marchfield.org/aircraft-exhibits/aircraft/f-84f-thunderstreak-republic/ |date=2016-08-01 }} March Field Air Museum. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-9433 – Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California[http://www.castleairmuseum.org/ondisplay "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-9433."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114232620/http://www.castleairmuseum.org/ondisplay/ |date=2016-11-14 }} Castle Air Museum. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-9444 – Seminole Valley Park in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9451 – Wilson Park in Granite City, Illinois.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9480 – American Airpower Museum, East Farmingdale, New York.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9495 – Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida[http://www.afarmamentmuseum.com/outside.shtml "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-9495."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012072145/http://afarmamentmuseum.com/outside.shtml |date=2014-10-12 }} Air Force Armament Museum. Retrieved: 11 October 2012.
  • 51-9501 – Yankee Air Museum, Belleville, Michigan[http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/adopt-a-plane/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/51-9501."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414113350/http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/adopt-a-plane/ |date=2015-04-14 }} Yankee Air Museum. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 51-9514 – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9522 – Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 51-9531 – Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, California, formerly at Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum in Rantoul, Illinois{{cite web|title=USAF Serial Number Search (51-9531)|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1951.html|access-date=2018-02-14}}
  • 52-6379 – Wauchula Veteran's Park in Wauchula, Florida.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6385 – VFW Post 2503, Omaha, Nebraska.{{Cite web|title=vfw post 2503 – Omaha, Nebraska|url=https://vfwpost2503.org/|access-date=2021-04-19|language=en-US}}
  • 52-6438 – Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele, Georgia.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6455 – American Legion post #490, Houston, Texas[http://www.legion490.com/our%20F-84F.htm "Our F-84F"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806222643/http://www.legion490.com/our%20F-84F.htm |date=2017-08-06 }} ' Retrieved: 28 March 2017.
  • 52-6456 – Veterans of Foreign Wars post #6791, West Chicago, Illinois.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6461 – Lackland AFB, Texas.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6470 – Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6476 – Aviation History & Technology Center, Marietta, Georgia.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6497 – Iowa Gold Star Museum in Johnston, Iowa.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6526 – National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio[https://web.archive.org/web/20130423152302/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=375 "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-6526."] National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved: 16 July 2017.
  • 52-6553 – Window on the Plains Museum in Dumas, Texas[http://dumasmuseumandartcenter.org/lawnmower%20races.jpg "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-6553."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112200937/http://dumasmuseumandartcenter.org/lawnmower%20races.jpg |date=2015-01-12 }} Window on the Plains Museum Retrieved: 12 January 2015.
  • 52-6555 – Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum in Horsham, Pennsylvania[https://wingsoffreedommuseum.org/wp/aircraft/republic-f-84f-thunderstreak/ "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-6555."] Wings of Freedom Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 4 May 2020.
  • 52-6563 – Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/republic-f-84f-thunderstreak "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-6563."] Pima Air & Space Museum. Retrieved: 14 January 2015.
  • 52-6634 – Defense Supply Center Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6701 – Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Georgia[http://www.museumofaviation.org/F84F.php "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-6701."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314022108/http://museumofaviation.org/f84f.php |date=2016-03-14 }} Museum of Aviation. Retrieved: 11 October 2012.
  • 52-6782 – Luke AFB, Arizona.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-6993 – Wilbur Wright Birthplace and Museum near Millville, Indiana.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-7019 – Cheyenne Municipal Airport in Wyoming.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-7080 – England AFB, Louisiana.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-8837 – Richmond Airport, Virginia.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
  • 52-8886 – South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130402112330/http://www.sdairandspacemuseum.com/exhibits "F-84 Thunderstreak/52-8886."]}} South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Retrieved: 7 April 2015.
  • 52-9089 – Kansas Aviation Museum, Wichita, Kansas{{cite web | url=https://kansasaviationmuseum.org/republic-f-84 | title=Republic F-84 }}

;RF-84F Thunderflash

Accidents and incidents

  • On 7 July 1954, one F-84F of a flight of four en route to Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, TX, crashed into the Kansas City, Kansas business district shortly after departing Fairfax Municipal Airport, Kansas City, KS. 2nd Lt. John H. Kapeles, pilot, assigned to the 27th Fighter Escort Wing, died in the crash. Three civilians died on the ground when the plane crashed onto their homes. The plane had just come off the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant production line and had been test flown. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane plunged at a high speed toward the ground after the flight had banked toward the west from the east. The three remaining planes returned to Fairfax Municipal Airport.Kansas City Star, Main Edition, Pg. 1, July 7, 1954
  • On 9 December 1955, a USAF F-84F on an instrument training flight from RAF Sculthorpe in Norfolk experienced a flameout and the pilot ejected. The aircraft crashed into Lodge Moor Hospital, Sheffield. The crash killed one patient and injured seven others.
  • On 4 April 1957, the USAF Captain Richard W. Higgins died after a low ejection near the Fürstenfeldbruck Air Base. He was flying one of the first F-84Fs of the German Air Force.
  • On 1 August 1960, Captain Finn Erik Andersen{{cite web |title=Finn Erik Andersen |url=https://www.jaermuseet.no/flyhistorisk/finn-erik-andersen/ |website=Flyhistorisk Museum Sola |access-date=30 July 2023 |language=nn-NO |date=14 May 2020}} of the Royal Norwegian Air Force flying F-84F Thunderflash registration T3-S crashed into the Styggmann peak of Skrimfjella in Southern Norway. The pilot was killed.{{cite web |last1=Eirik |first1=Veum |title=Disse norske pilotene omkom |url=https://www.nrk.no/norge/disse-norske-pilotene-omkom-1.11637858 |website=NRK |access-date=30 July 2023 |language=nb-NO |date=29 March 2014}} As of 2023, some wreckage remains on the mountain.{{cite web |title=Twitter report of wreckage in 2023|url=https://twitter.com/robsmallshire/status/1685570055155621888 |website=Twitter |access-date=30 July 2023 |language=en}}
  • On 20 November 1960 a F-84F Thunderstreak of the Royal Netherlands Air Force crashed at 7:50pm into a farm in {{ill|Lutjelollum|nl}} between Wjelsryp and Franeker, the Netherlands. The pilot and the family of six people who lived at the farm were all killed. The farm was destroyed and burned down and the livestock was killed.{{cite web |title=Straaljager stortte neer: 7 doden |url=https://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/1960-11-22/edition/0/page/1?query= |date=22 November 1960|via=leiden.courant.nu |publisher=Leidsch Dagblad|page=1|language=nl}}
  • On 14 September 1961, two West German F-84Fs of the West German Air Force crossed into East German airspace due to a navigational error, eventually landing at Berlin Tegel Airport, evading a large number of Soviet fighter aircraft. The event came at a historically difficult time during the Cold War, one month after the construction of the Berlin Wall.[http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-45139958.html "Strauss-Befehl: Bier-Order 61"{{in lang{{!}}de}}.] Der Spiegel, 9 May 1962. Retrieved: 30 November 2010.
  • On 28 January 1962, the USAF Lieutenant Donald Slack died after striking a {{cvt|6,188|ft|m}} (ASL) mountain in central France in his F-84F of the New Jersey Air National Guard. The book Stranger to the Ground by Richard Bach was dedicated to him.

Specifications (F-84F)

{{multiple image

| total_width = 300

| image1 = Republic F-84F Thunderstreak 3-view.png

| alt1 = 3-view line drawing of the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

| caption1 = 3-view line drawing of the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

| image2 = Republic RF-84F Thunderflash 3-view line drawing.png

| alt2 = 3-view line drawing of the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash

| caption2 = 3-view line drawing of the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash

}}

{{Aircraft specs

|prime units?=imp

|ref= Fighters of the United States Air Force,Dorr and Donald 1990, p. 134. Combat Aircraft since 1945Wilson 2000, p. 119.

|crew=1

|length ft=43

|length in=4.75

|length m=13.23

|span ft=33

|span in=7.25

|span m=10.25

|height ft=14

|height in=4.75

|height m=4.39

|wing area sqft=325

|wing area sqm=30

|empty weight lb=13,830

|empty weight kg=6,200

|max takeoff weight lb=28,000

|max takeoff weight kg=12,701

|eng1 name= Wright J65-W-3

|eng1 type=turbojet

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 lbf=7,220

|eng1 kn=32.2

|max speed mph=695

|max speed kts= 604

|max speed kmh= 1,119,

|max speed note=at sea level

|range miles=810

|range nmi=704

|range km=1,304

|range note= combat radius with two droptanks

|ceiling ft=46,000

|ceiling m=14,000

|climb rate ftmin=8,200

|climb rate ms=42

|wing loading lb/sqft=86

|wing loading kg/m2=423

|armament=

|avionics=

  • A-1CM or A-4 gunsight with APG-30 or MK-18 ranging radar

}}

Communications Equipment

  • AN/ARC-33 or 34 command set radio
  • AN/APX-6 or 6A IFF set
  • AN/AR-6 radio compass
  • AN/APW-11 or 11A radar set
  • AN/APN-21 TACAN set

Notable appearances in media

Richard Bach, who later wrote the bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, was an ANG F-84F pilot who was once activated for duty in Europe. His first book, Stranger to the Ground, described in detail what it was like to fly the Thunderstreak in the course of an operational flight at night from England to France in adverse weather.

F-84Fs were also used to represent North Korean MiG-15 fighters in the 1958 film version of James Salters' novel "The Hunters", because none of the Soviet fighters were available during the ongoing Cold War for filming. They were painted a flat gray with red star insignia.

See also

{{aircontent

|see also=

|related=

|similar aircraft=

|lists=

}}

References

=Notes=

{{Reflist|30em}}

=Bibliography=

  • Bowers, Peter M. and Enzo Angellucci. The American Fighter. New York: Orion Books, 1987. {{ISBN|0-517-56588-9}}.
  • Donald, David and Lake, Jon, eds. Encyclopedia of World Military Aircraft. London: AIRtime Publishing, 1996. {{ISBN|1-880588-24-2}}.
  • Dorr, Robert F. and David Donald. Fighters of the United States Air Force. London: Temple Press Aerospace, 1990. {{ISBN|0-600-55094-X}}.
  • Forrer, Frits T. The Fun of Flying. Gulf Breeze, Florida: Holland's Glory, 1992. {{ISBN|0-9714490-3-1}}.
  • {{cite journal |last1=Gordon |first1=Doug |title='Streaks over Europe: Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks in USAFE Service |journal=Air Enthusiast |date=January–February 2000 |issue=85 |pages=54–61 |issn=0143-5450}}
  • {{cite journal |last=Gordon |first=Doug |title= Tac Recon Masters: The 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing in Europe, Part One|journal= Air Enthusiast |issue=94|date=July–August 2001|pages=31–39|issn=0143-5450 }}
  • Hiltermann, Gijs. "Republic F-84F Thunderstreak." Vliegend in Nederland 1 (in Dutch). Eindhoven, Netherlands: Flash Aviation, 1988. {{ISBN|978-90-71553-04-2}}.
  • Keaveney, Kevin. Republic F-84/Swept-Wing Variants (Aerofax Minigraph, No 15). London: Aerofax, 1987. {{ISBN|0-942548-20-5}}.
  • {{cite book|last=Knaack|first=Marcelle Size|title=Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems|volume=2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945–1973|year= 1988 |publisher= Office of Air Force History|location= Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-59-5 |pages=38–39}}
  • Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. {{ISBN|0-912799-59-5}}.
  • {{cite journal |last1=Lande |first1=Knut |title=Flash! Flying "the Iron" – The Republic RF-84F in Royal Norwegian Air Force Service |journal=The Aviation Historian |date=2021 |issue=35 |pages=36–45 |issn=2051-1930}}
  • Miller, Jay. "Tip Tow & Tom-Tom". Air Enthusiast, No. 9, February–May 1979, pp. 40–42. {{ISSN|0143-5450}}.
  • Stafrace, Charles. Republic F-84F Thunderstreak and RF-84F Thunderflash. Warpaint Series No. 100. Denbigh East, UK: Warpaint Books Ltd., 2014. {{OCLC|898151300}}.
  • Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. Washington, DC: Smithsonian, 1989. {{ISBN|0-87474-880-1}}.
  • United States Air Force Museum Guidebook. Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio: Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975.
  • Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition. New York: Doubleday, 1982. {{ISBN|0-385-13120-8}}.
  • Wilson, Stewart. Combat Aircraft since 1945. Fyshwick, Australia: Aerospace Publications, 2000. {{ISBN|1-875671-50-1}}.
  • Pretat, Samuel. "Republic F-84F Thunderstreak & RF-84F Thunderflash." [http://www.editions-minimonde76.com/en/ "Republic F-84F Thunderstreak & RF-84F Thunderflash."] Editions Minimonde76, 2006.

External links

{{Commons category multi|Republic F-84F Thunderstreak|Republic RF-84F Thunderflash}}

  • [http://www.thunderstreaks.com/category/f-84f/ F-84F Thunderstreak]

  • [http://www.ronbarrett.com/07.htm F-84F at Mercer Air Field, Georgia]

{{Republic aircraft}}

{{USAF fighters}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:F-84f Thunderstreak}}

F-084F

Republic F-84F

Category:Single-engined jet aircraft

Category:Cruciform tail aircraft

Republic F-84F

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1950

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear