REPUBLIC RF-84F & K Thunderflash

The first of the modern jets to be designed specifically for photo-reconnaissance, the Thunderflash was the first
reconnaissance airplane equipped with a combination of standard aerial cameras and dicing camera for close-up photos of individual targets.

It was also the first fighter-type aircraft to be equipped with the Tri-Metrogon camera which could take horizon-to-horizon pictures.

Unlike the [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien], the Thunderflash had its air-intake ducts located in the wing roots rather than the nose, which was elongated and enclosed to permit installation of a sweeping variety of camera and electronic equipment.

It was the first reconnaissance fighter to have a camera control system and a viewfinder for the pilot, who also acted as the cameraman.

The aircraft was first tested in February 1952, and 715 of the aircraft were produced.

Type	Number built/ converted	Remarks
YRF-84F	1	S/N 51-1826
RF-84F	715	Reconnaissance fighter

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Four .50-cal. machine guns mounted in the wings
Engine: Wright "Sapphire" J-65-W-7 of 7,800 lbs. thrust
Maximum speed: 629 mph
Cruising speed: 542 mph
Range: 2,000 miles
Service ceiling: 39,390 ft.
Span: 33 ft. 6 in.
Length: 47 ft. 6 in.
Height: 15 ft. 0 in.
Weight: 25,390 lbs. maximum takeoff
Crew: One

The RF-84K was a reconnaissance and nuclear strike fighter that was intended to be carried toward a target as a "parasite" underneath the GRB-36 bomber.

At the time, jet aircraft possessed relatively short range and aerial refueling was not yet proven, so this provided a method to extend their range.

The U.S. Air Force applied this parasite concept to the FICON (FIghter CONveyer) project, which became the RF-84K.

The mission profile called for the recon aircraft or attack fighter to leave the carrier aircraft (a modified strategic bomber) upon reaching hostile territory, make a dash to the target and perform its mission.

The aircraft then returned to the waiting carrier, hooked up underneath it and was carried back to a base.

In 1952, as it tested two F-84 FICON prototypes, the USAF ordered 25 RF-84Ks and began modifying 10 B-36s into GRB-36 FICON carriers.

The RF-84K design was a modification of the RF-84F, the USAF's most numerous and advanced tactical reconnaissance aircraft at the time.

The only major differences were the RF-84K's retractable hook in the upper part of the nose, rods on either side behind the cockpit, and downward angled horizontal stabilizers (to fit inside the GRB-36's bomb bay).

The RF-84K entered service with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) in 1955.

For the next year, pilots of the 91st SRS successfully flew their RF-84Ks, but they experienced many near disasters while separating or hooking back up to the GRB-36 carrier aircraft.

By 1957, the development of more capable strategic reconnaissance aircraft, along with greater range provided by dependable aerial refueling, made the parasite aircraft concept obsolete.

The 91st SRS's RF-84Ks were transferred to other units flying RF-84Fs and thereafter flew conventional missions from runways.

Armament: Four .50-cal. machine guns
Engine: Wright Sapphire J65 of 7,800 lbs. thrust
Maximum speed: 629 mph
Range: 2,000 miles (plus GRB-36's 10,000-mile range)
Ceiling: 39,390 ft.