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F-84F Thunderstreak

The swept-wing single-seat Republic F-84F “Thunderstreak” was a modification of the straight-wing F-84 “Thunderjet” series of post-war sub-sonic United States Air Force jet fighters. Armed with six 50-caliber M-3 aircraft machineguns, 24 5-inch rockets and 6,000 pounds of bombs the Thunderstreak was designed as a fighter-bomber capable of attacking ground targets and intercepting high-altitude Soviet Bombers. The first production F-84F flew on November 22, 1952. Almost immediately, control and stability problems

surfaced. The first production runs were equipped with conventional stabilizer-elevator tail-planes, which caused an accelerated stall pitch-up problem and degraded maneuverability at combat speeds. By May of 1954, the introduction of a hydraulically powered one-piece stabilizer and side-mounted spoilers improved performance and corrected the high-speed control problems.

Notable as one of the first aircraft to be utilized by the USAF Thunderbirds Flight Demonstration Team the F-84F only saw limited usage (mostly by NATO Allies) in its intended combat role. Throughout its service life, maintenance difficulties from control-rod corrosion to a disturbing tendency for the J65 engine to flameout when flying through heavy snow or rainstorms continued to plague the aircraft. Replaced by the F-4 Phantom in 1964, the remaining F-84F’s were re-assigned to Air National Guard units until their complete withdrawal from service in 1971.

Operationally, the F-84F made its most significant contribution to history when two West German Air Force F-84F’s wandered into communist controlled East German airspace in September 1961, one month after the construction of the Berlin Wall. A quick-thinking USAF Radar Controller at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport ordered the F-84F’s to divert directly to West Berlin allowing the Thunderstreaks to evade pursuing Soviet MiG Fighters thereby avoiding an armed confrontation.

The museum’s F-84F, s/n 51-9432 was manufactured by General Motors, Kansas City, Kansas and delivered to the USAF on October 25, 1954. Restored by museum volunteers, our F-84F wears the livery of a Wing Commander from its first active duty assignment with the 12th Strategic Fighter Wing, Strategic Air Command, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas. This aircraft is on loan from the NMUSAF.

Manufacturer: Republic
Designation: F-84
Version: F
Nickname: Thunderstreak
Type: Fighter
Crew: Pilot
First Flew: 1951
Specifications
Length: 43′ 
Height: 14′ 5″
Wingspan: 33′
Armament: six 12.7mm Brownie machine guns, 600 lbs of bombs & external rockets 
Payload: 1620 lbs
Propulsion
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: 32-12Wright/Buick J65-3 turbojet
Thrust 7200
Performance
Range: 699 miles
Max Speed: 695 mph
Ceiling: 46,000
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