Republic RF-84F Thunderflash
Republic Aviation Corporation · United States · first flew 1952 · fighter
The Republic RF-84F Thunderflash was a dedicated photographic reconnaissance variant of the F-84F Thunderstreak, equipped with a battery of cameras in an enlarged nose replacing the gun armament. It was a major NATO tactical reconnaissance asset of the Cold War.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.23 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- F-84F Thunderstreak airframe with cameras replacing guns in nose
- Distinctive bulged nose housing oblique and forward cameras
- Cold War tactical reconnaissance fighter
Resembles the F-84F Thunderstreak but immediately recognisable by its distinctive camera-equipped bulbous nose lacking gun ports, with small camera apertures visible on the nose sides and underside.
Specifications
- The Republic RF-84F Thunderflash has a length of 13.23 m (43 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.24 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1100 km/h (684 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1952, the RF-84F entered service with the USAF and was supplied to numerous NATO air forces under Mutual Defence Assistance Program agreements. It carried up to six cameras in a characteristic bulged nose and could also carry wing-mounted cameras.
Variants
The RF-84F was a dedicated reconnaissance variant of the F-84F; it was not retrofittable back to fighter configuration. Some export aircraft received modified camera fits.
Where you'll see it
The RF-84F served with the USAF, and with the air forces of Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan, Turkey, and West Germany through the 1950s and into the 1960s.
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