Republic
XF-84H
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Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Wright-Patterson AFB (FFO)
Dayton, Ohio
The XF-84H, a joint Air Force/Navy project based on the Republic F-84F, was originally designed to combine the speed of jet aircraft with the long range, low fuel consumption and low landing speed of propeller-driven aircraft. The XF-84H used an Allison XF-40-A-1 turboprop engine in a modified F-84 fuselage. Additional changes included a T-type tail and a triangular fin on the top of the fuselage to reduce the high torque produced by the propeller.

Between July 22, 1955 and Oct. 9, 1956, two XF-84H made 12 test flights. Eleven of the 12 flights ended in emergency landings. Sounds produced by the aircraft's turboprop engine caused nausea and headaches among ground crews, earning the XF-84H the unofficial nickname "Thunderscreech." Though the XF-84H was the fastest single-engine propeller-driven aircraft ever built, it never approached supersonic speed. Due to poor performance and high maintenance requirements, the XF-84H never became operational.

The aircraft on display (S/N 51-17059) was the first of the two prototypes produced by Republic. It flew eight of the 12 test flights. The museum obtained the aircraft from Kern County, Calif., in February 1999.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span: 33 ft. 5 in.
Length:   51 ft. 5 in.
Height:  15 ft. 4 in.
Empty Weight:  17,892 lbs.
Gross Weight: 
Crew: One		 Maximum speed: 520 mph
Cruising speed:
Range: Beyond 2,000 miles
Service ceiling: Above 40,000 ft.
Engines: Allison XF-40-A-1 turboprop of 5,850 shaft hp
Armament: None
SOURCE: National Museum of the United States Air Force  
VARIANTS:

F-84
 Thunderjet
RF-84
Thunderflash