Republic F-84 Thunderjet

During World War II the American aircraft industry was developing jet engines and new airframes for their next generation of jet powered fighters. Republic the manufacturer of the P-47 Thunderbolt sought out to design the company’s next phase in jet aircraft. The XP-84 was displayed to the Army Air Force in February 1945. Its reception was so well received that the company received contracts for functioning prototypes totaling 25 aircraft.

The first production aircraft was the P-84B and began operations in the 14^th Fighter Group based at Dow Field , Maine . In June 1948 the “Pursuit” P-84 was officially changed “Fighter” F-84.

During the Korean War the F-84 served as a fighter and fighter-bomber. It did not get the notoriety as the F-86 Sabre but the Thunderjet flew thousands of multi task sorties before the conflict ended. F-84 pilots officially claimed nine North Korean and Chinese Mig-15’s destroyed. Other aerial combat claims were an additional 96 enemy aircraft damaged with many not able to return to their bases but unconfirmed as lost. With a war history of 86,408 sorties, total bomb tonnage delivered at 50,427 tons along with 5,560 tons of napalm bombs. The F-84 also delivered on target 22,154 rockets and untold numbers of .50 caliber ammunition.

After the Korean War the Air Force decided to form a precision flight team. The American jet aircraft that proved themselves in Korean combat were the F-84 Sabre, F-80 Shooting Star, and the F-84G, Thunderjet. The Air Force chose the F-84G for the flight team’s first aircraft.

The flight demonstration team was first called the “Stardusters.” After their arrival to their base located at Luke Airfield, Arizona a new name was given to the group. The “Thunderbirds.” Squadron artwork of the Indian Eagle worked well for the group. As the flight team toured American Air Bases and other countries the flight team would add a flag of the country to the side of the aircraft’s fuselage.

The flight team flew the F-84G from June 1953, to February 1955. It was the first of two straight winged fighters used by the Thunderbirds. The aircraft was 38’ 8” long with a wingspan of 36’ 5” and stood 12’ 7”. With an Allison J-35-A-29 jet engine it could fly at an altitude of 45,000 feet at 600 miles per hour using 5,600 pounds of thrust.

On June 1, 1953, one month after the flight team was formed they preformed their first demonstration at Nellis AFB, Nevada . Their first public performance was on July 19^th, in Cheyenne , Wyoming . In the teams first year they traveled to Mexico and many countries in South America and Cuba . Over three million spectators marveled at the brightly painted American jet aircraft as they performed in perfect formations.

The airframe was later modified with larger tail area and swept back wings.

Above is the final aircraft flown by the Air Force by Republic, the F-84F, Thunder Streak.

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