Thunderflash

[No.1]

Interesting nose details of this forgotten jet airplane.

[mfg495]

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 (low-level reconnaissance, from the saying "dicing with Death!") 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 Thunderstreak.

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.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 33 ft. 6 in.
Length: 47 ft. 6 in.
Height: 15 ft. 0 in.
Weight: 25,390 lbs. maximum takeoff
Armament: Four .50-cal. machine guns mounted in the wings
Engine: Wright "Sapphire" J-65-W-7 of 7,800 lbs. thrust
Crew: One

PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 629 mph
Cruising speed: 542 mph
Range: 2,000 miles
Service ceiling: 39,390 ft.

Source - USAF

[No.1]

This one is first- never know before

[mfg495]

Over versions of the F-84 family

• XP-84 Thunderjet - First prototype model (1946); General Electric J35-GE-7 turbojet engine.
• XP-8A Thunderjet - Prototype (25 total); Allison J35-A-15
• P-84B Thunderjet - XP-8A porduction model.
• P-84C Thunderjet - Revised electrical system; J35-A-13C engine; Later redesignated as the F-84C.
• F-84 Thunderjet
• YF-84A Thunderjet - First swept-wing variant
• F-84D Thunderjet - J35-A-17D engine; Re-engineered landing gear system; thicker wing systems.
• F-84E Thunderjet - Post-Korean War model featuring improved system components; Enlarged cockpit; Lengthened fuselage.
• F-84G Thunderjet - J35-A-29 engine
• F-84F Thunderstreak - Swept wing; Wright J65-W-1 turbojet engine (later models with Wright J65-W-3 engines).
• RF-84F Thunderflash - Final development model of F-84 series; Reconnaissance variant with J65-W-7 engine.
• GRF-84F - Aerial launch and recovery vehicle launched from B-36. Later redesignated as the RF-84K.

Operators  Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Yugoslavia and the United States of America.

[verner]

Don't forget the "H" model "Thunderscreech"

[mfg495]

Missed that one   

[No.1]

Very loud airplane!

[mfg495]

A walkaround of this aircraft.

http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Thunder84.html#Thunderflash

[No.1]

Thats nice 

[Letipapa]

mfg495  great walkarounds, great link

[zetman]

Interesting nose details,indeed.
I am looking for photos or plans of the inner RF-84 camera bay,where the K-17/22/38 photo cameras were installed.
I would be very grateful if somebody could help.
Than you in advance.
Z

[No.1]

Maybe some cutaway could be of use, I think I have seen it somewhere

[Sall]

Does it means that some RF-84 is in progress?

[zetman]

Does it means that some RF-84 is in progress?

I would say...a new conversion kit for the Kinetic/Italeri F-84F

[Sall]