And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
Tennessee Air National Guard Republic RF-84F Thunderflash reconnaissance jet, ca. 1951-1953
To me the RF-84F is the first truly sleek looking jet aircraft, with swept back, instead of straight wings, and the air intake moved from the nose to the wing roots, to make room for cameras, etc.
Unfortunately, the F-84s were called "Hogs" and worse because they could eat up a 10,000 foot runway before finally crawling into the air. I guess nothing is perfect.
When you get newer engines with 'RAW' power then you can 'rocket'-off runways in quicker abandon! Many newer designs from WWII forward were sidelined when engine manufacturers failed to meet h.p. requirements! Not the fault of the aircraft designers.
I guess moving the intakes to the wing root decreased thrust, though, so with the F-84F (swept wing version) the intake was moved back to the nose for the production unit. F-84F and the F-9 Cougar a year later...all following in the F-86's footsteps, which based its wing on the ME-262's.
My late father flew those in the late 50's early 60's with the 188th TFS of the Arkansas ANG. His squadron had two that had been rebuilt with more powerful jet engines. He said the difference was night and day for take-off performance.
I have always thought that the RF-84F was one of the prettiest jet fighters. Its lines just speak speed. It even looked good just sitting still on the ground.
Not to question the veracity of your post, but the only engine changes I can find record on are all experimental versions (one w/Allison turboprop and two with GE J73's). Were the planes your dad flew experimental examples?
F-84. One of the most versatile jets of the Korean War era.
ReplyDeleteIts usefulness was later mirrored during Vietnam, and through the 1970's, by the F-4.
To me the RF-84F is the first truly sleek looking jet aircraft, with swept back, instead of straight wings, and the air intake moved from the nose to the wing roots, to make room for cameras, etc.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the F-84s were called "Hogs" and worse because they could eat up a 10,000 foot runway before finally crawling into the air. I guess nothing is perfect.
When you get newer engines with 'RAW' power then you can 'rocket'-off runways in quicker abandon!
DeleteMany newer designs from WWII forward were sidelined when engine manufacturers failed to meet h.p. requirements! Not the fault of the aircraft designers.
I guess moving the intakes to the wing root decreased thrust, though, so with the F-84F (swept wing version) the intake was moved back to the nose for the production unit.
DeleteF-84F and the F-9 Cougar a year later...all following in the F-86's footsteps, which based its wing on the ME-262's.
My late father flew those in the late 50's early 60's with the 188th TFS of the Arkansas ANG. His squadron had two that had been rebuilt with more powerful jet engines. He said the difference was night and day for take-off performance.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that the RF-84F was one of the prettiest jet fighters. Its lines just speak speed. It even looked good just sitting still on the ground.
Not to question the veracity of your post, but the only engine changes I can find record on are all experimental versions (one w/Allison turboprop and two with GE J73's).
DeleteWere the planes your dad flew experimental examples?