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REPUBLIC F-84E "Thunderjet"

The F-84, conceived as a jet successor to the P-47, was the USAF's first post-war fighter.  The prototype's initial flight was on February 28, 1946, 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.  Many were supplied to allied nations under the Mutual Assistance Program.  During its service life, it became the first USAF jet fighter capable of carrying a tactical nuclear weapon.  The Thunderjet pioneered aerial refueling for fighter aircraft when aircraft from the 31st Fighter Escort Wing flew nonstop from Turner AFB, Georgia, to the Far East as part of Operation Fox Peter One in 1952.

The Thunderjet saw extensive use during the Korean War, primarily for ground attack and interdiction missions.  Almost daily, the F-84s attacked enemy railroads, bridges, supply depots and troop concentrations with bombs, rockets and napalm.

Specifications

Wing Span 36 feet, 6 inches
Length 38 feet, 6 inches
Height 12 feet, 7 inches
Weight 15,227 lbs.
Armament Six .50-caliber machine guns and eight 5-inch rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs
Engine One Allison J35 jet engine with 4,900 lbs. of thrust
Cost $212,000
Maximum speed 620 mph
Cruising speed 485 mph
Range 1,485 miles
Service Ceiling 43,240 feet

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