Republic F-84B 'Thunderjet'
HISTORY
- In 1944 the Army Air Forces asked for proposals to build a fighter-bomber with a top speed of 600 mph. The design team at Republic Aviation considered modifying a P-47 airframe to accept a jet engine in hopes of winning the contract. This plan was discarded in favor of an all-new, straight-wing, single-seat fighter-bomber designed around an axial flow turbojet. The resulting aircraft, designated XP-84, flew for the first time on February 28, 1946 from Muroc Army Air Field (later Edwards Air Force Base). The following September, the second prototype set a U.S. speed record of 611 mph.
- When the Air Force became a separate service in October of 1947, the "P" (for pursuit) designation was replaced by "F" (for fighter) and the new fighter-bomber became the F-84 Thunderjet. The first production version, the F-84B, featured an air-conditioned cockpit and an ejection seat. Some 226 "B" models were built. They were plagued by structural problems and, as a result, had a short operational life.
- The last "B" model Thunderjets were retired by the Air National Guard in 1952. Later versions of the F-84 did yeoman work as ground attack aircraft in Korea. The Thunderjet was also the first mount of the USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team.
DISTINCTION
- The Museum’s F-84B was among the first production batch of the straight-wing 'Thunderjets.'
SPECIFICATIONS
| Status: Static Display |
| Manufacturer: Republic Aviation |
| Year: 1946 |
| Model: F-84B Thunderjet |
| Registration Number: |
| Serial Number: |
| Crew: 1 |
| Max T/O Weight: 19,698 lb. |
| Span: 36 ft. 5 in. |
| Length: 37 ft. 5 in. |
| Height: 12 ft. 0 in. |
| Maximum Speed: 587 mph |
| Cruise Speed: 460 mph |
Rate of Climb: 2,805 ft/min
|
| Power Plant: 1 x Allison J35-A-15C turbojet engine, 4,000 lbs. thrust |
| Range: 1,450 mi |
| Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft. |
| Armament: Four 0.50-cal. machine guns |
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