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United States Air Force - Republic YRF-84F Thunderstreak
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United States Air Force - Republic YRF-84F Thunderstreak
United States Air Force - Republic YRF-84F Thunderstreak 49-2430 FICON parasite, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, seen with the retractable nose hook extended, but without the rear fuselage trapeze pick-up points. Originally ordered on an F-84E contract as the YF-96A, but redesignated YF-84F before completion as the proto Type for the F-84F with swept wings and tail surfaces, and 5, 200 lbf static thrust XJ35-A-25. 3 June 1950 ; first flight at Edwards AFB, CA.1950: Transferred to NACA High-Speed Flight Station, Edwards AFB, CA. Flight tests studied the aileron effectiveness of the aircraft before spoilers were incorporated.14 July 1950: damaged landing at Edwards AFB, CA1951: Wright Air Development Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Modified as YRF-84F parasite for the FICON (FIghter CONveyer) project. Modification included retractable hook in the nose weapons bay, anhedral tail plane, and hard points on the rear fuselage for connecting to the B-36 trapeze. 30 March 1953: first flight as FICON parasite on a GRB-36F.May 1953: Eglin AFB, FL. Airborne launches and retrievals were subsequently performed. Aircraft briefly designated GRF-84F.2 October 1953: Flown to Edwards AFB, CA for tests to support the evaluation of the parasite jettison mechanism. 12 May 1954: Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.9 June 1954: Last flight in FICON project.1 July 1954: Wright Air Development Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Used in testing of emergency landing barriers. Landing gear doors were removed and the aircraft did high-speed taxi into barriers strung across the runway. 27 September 1954: Relegated to Class 32 status for the USAF Museum. 18 November 1954: Williams AFB, AZ for use as a training aid. By 1967: To USAF Museum, Patterson Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.October 1970: Towed to new museum facility at Wright Field. Date: circa 1952
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Media ID 28681947
© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans
1950 1952 1953 1954 1967 1970 Airborne Barriers Briefly Center Command Completion Connecting Contract Damaged Designated Development Doors Edwards Effectiveness Emergency Evaluation Extended F 84f Facility Flown Fuselage Gear Hard High Speed Hook Included Incorporated Landing Launches Materiel Mechanism Modification Modified Naca Nose Ordered Originally Parasite Patterson Performed Points Project Proto Rear Redesignated Relegated Removed Retractable Runway Static Status Strung Studied Subsequently Support Surfaces Swept Tail Taxi Testing Tests Thrust Thunderstreak Towed Transferred Trapeze Usaf Williams Wings Wright Wright Patterson Aileron Base Eglin Jettison Pick Up Spoilers Weapons
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this photograph, the United States Air Force's Republic YRF-84F Thunderstreak is seen with its retractable nose hook extended, showcasing its unique role as a parasite fighter in the Fighter Conveyor (FICON) project. Originally ordered as the YF-96A on an F-84E contract, the aircraft underwent significant modifications before its first flight in 1950 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. After initial flight tests, the YF-84F was damaged during a landing incident at Edwards AFB. Subsequently, it was transferred to the Wright Air Development Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where it was transformed into a parasite fighter for the FICON project. Modifications included a retractable hook in the nose weapons bay, anhedral tail plane, and hard points on the rear fuselage for connecting to the B-36 trapeze. The YRF-84F made its first flight as a FICON parasite on a GRB-36F in May 1953, and subsequent tests were conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The aircraft was briefly designated GRF-84F during this phase of its career. After supporting the evaluation of the parasite jettison mechanism, it was returned to Wright-Patterson AFB for further testing of emergency landing barriers. The YRF-84F's final flight in the FICON project took place on 9 June 1954. It was then used for testing at Wright Air Development Center before being relegated to Class 32 status for the USAF Museum in 1954. The aircraft was later moved to Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, for use as a training aid. By 1967, it had been transferred to the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. This photograph, taken circa 1952, captures a pivotal moment in the history of military aviation, showcasing the innovative YRF-84F Thunderstreak in its role as a FICON parasite fighter.
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