Republic RF-84F Thunderflash (1952-1970)
Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona, USA
February 21, 2008
See also the plane at War Eagles…
This Thunderflash was outfitted for photo reconnaissance. Having a nose-mounted camera system meant that the air intakes for the engine had to be moved, from the nose, to the wings near the fuselage. There were other modifications made to this model of the F-84 including; twin wing fences on each wing (those narrow ribs at mid-wing) and a reinforced sliding cockpit canopy. This model was capable of 679 mph at sea level (which is Mach .89) and 607 mph at 35,000 feet (which is Mach .92). Operational ceiling was 46,000 feet. 41 aircraft of this model were order in June 1952.
