The F-84 Thunderjet was
Republics first fighter with a jet engine, a
straight wing successor for the P-47
Thunderbolt.
The F-84 flew for the first time
in February 1946 as the first of three XP-84
prototypes with the 1701 kgf General Electric
J35-GE-7 turbojet. The 25 YP-84A test planes
were equipped with Allison J-35-A-15 turbojets
(18 kN) the same type that was picked for the
first 226 P-84B planes of the first production
series.
Production:
- 191 P-84C (later F-84C): had an
identically powerful J35-A13C, but an improved
electrical system.
- 154 F-84D: J35-A-17D engine
(22,50 kN) improved landing gear and stronger
wings
- 843 F-84E: Experience from the
Korean war resulted in this type with a
stretched hull, enlarged cockpit and improved
systems.
- 3.025 F-84G: Identical to the
F-84E, but powered by the J35-A-29 (25,40 kN)
and capable to carry nuclear tactical weapons.
- 2.713 F-84F: The basic design
was changed to the Thunderstreak with Arrow
shaped wings and the more powerful Wright J65
turbojet for much better performances. the first
375 F-84F's got the J65-W-1 engine, the rest was
equipped with the J65-W-3 (32,49 kN)
- RF-84F: The last of the F-84
series was a reconnaissance version, equipped
with the Wright J65-W-7 engine (35,70 kN) the
RF-84F got its air intake in the roots of the
wings, this way the needed space for camera's
was created in the nose of the airframe.
GRF-84F (later RF-84K): There
were a number of experimental developments of
the F-84, the most important was the GRF-84F,
witch was designed to be launched in midair from
under the wing of a Convair B-36 strategic
bomber, and rejoin the Convair in midair again.
