Republic F-84E loaded with HVAR Rockets, two 1,000-pound bombs, Tiny-Tim Rockets and six M-3 .50-cal. machine guns. Photo taken Oct. 21, 1949. (U.S. Air Force photo)
This Republic F-84E photo was taken with the same camera Wilbur Wright used to photograph the first powered aircraft flight on Dec. 17, 1903. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Republic F-84G (S/N 51-1065) "Skyblazers" of the 22nd Fighter Bomber Squadron, 36th Fighter Bomber Wing at Furstenfeldbruck Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The F-84, the USAF's first post-war fighter, made its initial flight on Feb. 26, 1946. It began rolling off the production lines in June 1947, and by the time production ceased in 1953, approximately 4,450 "straight-wing" F-84s (in contrast to the swept-wing F-84F) had been built. In addition to being used by the USAF, many were supplied to allied nations participating in the Mutual Security Program. During its service life, the F-84 became the first USAF jet fighter able to carry a tactical atomic weapon.
The airplane gained its greatest renown during the Korean War where it was used primarily for low-level interdiction missions. Almost daily, the F-84 attacked enemy railroads, bridges, supply depots and troop concentrations with bombs, rockets and napalm.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force has an F-84E on display.
Type
Number built/
converted
Remarks
XF-84
3
Prototype aircraft
YF-84A
15
Service test aircraft
F-84A
0
99 A models canceled
F-84B
226
First production model
F-84C
191
Improved B model
F-84D
154
Improved C model
F-84E
843
Improved D model
F-84G
3,025
1,936 to NATO
TECHNICAL NOTES (F-84E): Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns and eight 5 in. rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs or napalm tanks Engines:Allison J35 of 4,900 lbs. thrust Maximum speed: 620 mph Cruising speed: 485 mph Range: 1,485 miles Service ceiling: 43,240 ft. Span: 36 ft. 5 in. Length: 38 ft. 6 in. Height: 12 ft. 7 in. Weight: 15,227 lbs. loaded Crew: One
