The next production version of the Thunderjet was the P-84D. The P-84D differed from the P-84C in having a more powerful engine, the Allison J35-A-17D, rated at 5000 pounds of thrust. A number of new features were added. The D had a thicker skin gauge on the wings and on the ailerons. It had a winterized fuel system suitable for JP-4 and was fitted with mechanical linkages instead of hydraulic in the landing gear to shorten the shock strut during retraction. The pitot tube was shifted from the tail fin to the nose duct air divider. A hinged gun deck cover was provided.
Two F-84Ds (48-641 and 48-661) were used in experiments in which they were attached to the wingtips of a modified EB-29A. It was hoped that this would help to increase the range of jet escort fighters, enabling them to be towed by bombers into the combat area and released when needed. However, this three-plane combination crashed during a test flight on April 24, 1953, with one going down duwith the EB-29A. The project was abandoned shortly thereafter as being much too dangerous for aircrews.
The designation was changed to F-84D on June 11, 1948.
Specification of the P-84D:
One Allison J35-A-17D, 5000 lb.st. Maximum speed: 587 mph at 4000 feet. Initial climb rate 4060 feet per minute. Service ceiling 39,300 feet. Range 1198 miles. Weights were 9860 pounds empty, 16,862 pounds gross, 20,076 pounds maximum takeoff. Dimensions were wingspan 36 feet 5 inches, length 37 feet 5 inches, height 12 feet 10 inches, wing area 260 square feet.
Serials of the P-84D:
48-641/694 Republic F-84D-1-RE Thunderjet 48-695/744 Republic F-84D-5-RE Thunderjet 48-745/794 Republic F-84D-10-RE Thunderjet
Sources:
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Fighters of the United States Air Force, Robert F. Dorr and David Donald,
Temple Press Aerospace, 1990.
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The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.
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American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner,
Doubleday, 1982.
- United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.
