Republic F-84F Thunderstreak, 52-6563, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 52-6563
Construction Number: Unknown
Code Number: 26563
Model Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 13/07/2009
The swept-wing F-84F evolved from the straight-winged F-84 Thunderjet. The intent was to produce an aircraft with similar performance to the F-86 Sabre. The F-84F was powered by a license built version of the British Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire turbojet, known in the USA as the Wright J65. Unfortunately, the aircraft suffered from the same poor take-off performance as its straight-winged predecessor despite having a much more powerful engine. Because of the angle of the jet exhaust on take-off (it basically pointing downwards onto the runway) almost 10% of the total thrust was ineffective. On a hot day, 2,285m (7,500ft) of runway was required. The straight-winged F-84 had acquired many derogatory nicknames because of this problem, 'Lead Sled', The Iron Crowbar' 'A Hole Sucking Air', 'The Hog' (as in groundhog) and 'The Worlds Fastest Tricycle' to name but a few! F-84 lore spoke of a 'Sniffer' device that was fitted to the aircraft, this device, would, on passing V2, look for dirt at the end of the runway. As soon as the device could smell the dirt, the controls would turn on allowing the pilot to fly the thing off the ground! This particular F-84F is displayed in the markings of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds display team. She's actually a composite, the front fuselage and wings came from 51-1725, with the rear fuselage coming from 52-6563. She's displayed at Pima courtesy of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio.
Picture ID:1182608