YP-84A Thunderjet

The XP-84 Thunderjet prototype first flew in 1946 and reached a top speed of 607.2 mph, making it the fastest American-designed aircraft of its time. It was followed by fifteen production YP-84A models, which featured a slightly improved engine, six machine guns, and wingtip fuel tanks. Beginning with the B-models, the aircraft family was redesignated as the F-84 Thunderjet by the U.S. Air Force. After early problems, the design was perfected in the F-84G, the first single-seat fighter to carry a nuclear weapon. F-84 models served during the Korean War, but poor performance against Soviet flown MiG-15 fighters led to their removal from head-to-head combat and transfer to ground strike operations. The aircraft with serial number 45-59494 is painted in Thunderbirds markings, though that team used the F-84G and F-84F Thunderflash rather than this model, and during its service history it was stationed only at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois.

Union City, Tennessee · United States