RF-84K Thunderflash Nuclear Fighter
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
The RF-84K was a reconnaissance and nuclear strike fighter that was intended to be carried toward a target as a "parasite" underneath the B-36 bomber. At the time, jet aircraft possessed relatively short range and aerial refueling was not feasible, so this provided a method to extend the aircraft's range.
The U.S. Air Force applied this parasite concept to the FICON (Flghter CONveyer) project, which became the RF-84K. The mission called for the reconnaissance aircraft or attack fighter to leave the carrier aircraft (a modified strategic bomber) upon reaching hostile territory, make a dash to the target and perform its mission. The aircraft then returned to the waiting carrier, hooked up underneath it and was carried back to a base.
In 1952, the USAF ordered 25 RF-84Ks and began modifying 10 B-36s into B-36 FICON carriers. The RF-84K design was a modification of the RF-84F, the USAF's most numerous and advanced tactical reconnaissance aircraft of the time. The only major differences were the RF- 84K's retractable hook in the upper part of the nose, rods on either side behind the cockpit, and downward angled horizontal stabilizers (to fit inside the B-36's bomb bay).
The RF-84K entered service with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron in 1955. For the next year, pilots of the 91st SRS successfully flew their RF-84KS, but they experienced many near disasters while separating or hooking back up to the B-36 carrier aircraft.
By 1957, the development of more capable strategic reconnaissance aircraft, along with greater range provided by dependable aerial refueling, made the parasite aircraft concept obsolete. The 91st SRS's RF-84KS were transferred to other units flying RF-84FS and thereafter flew conventional missions from runways.
Specifications-
Weight: 25,399 pounds
Length: 47 ft, 8 inches
Wingspan: 33 ft, 7 inches
Max. Speed: 720 mph
Range: 2200 miles
Armament: 4.50 caliber machine guns
RF-84K Thunderflash Nuclear Fighter
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum
The RF-84K was a reconnaissance and nuclear strike fighter that was intended to be carried toward a target as a "parasite" underneath the B-36 bomber. At the time, jet aircraft possessed relatively short range and aerial refueling was not feasible, so this provided a method to extend the aircraft's range.
The U.S. Air Force applied this parasite concept to the FICON (Flghter CONveyer) project, which became the RF-84K. The mission called for the reconnaissance aircraft or attack fighter to leave the carrier aircraft (a modified strategic bomber) upon reaching hostile territory, make a dash to the target and perform its mission. The aircraft then returned to the waiting carrier, hooked up underneath it and was carried back to a base.
In 1952, the USAF ordered 25 RF-84Ks and began modifying 10 B-36s into B-36 FICON carriers. The RF-84K design was a modification of the RF-84F, the USAF's most numerous and advanced tactical reconnaissance aircraft of the time. The only major differences were the RF- 84K's retractable hook in the upper part of the nose, rods on either side behind the cockpit, and downward angled horizontal stabilizers (to fit inside the B-36's bomb bay).
The RF-84K entered service with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron in 1955. For the next year, pilots of the 91st SRS successfully flew their RF-84KS, but they experienced many near disasters while separating or hooking back up to the B-36 carrier aircraft.
By 1957, the development of more capable strategic reconnaissance aircraft, along with greater range provided by dependable aerial refueling, made the parasite aircraft concept obsolete. The 91st SRS's RF-84KS were transferred to other units flying RF-84FS and thereafter flew conventional missions from runways.
Specifications-
Weight: 25,399 pounds
Length: 47 ft, 8 inches
Wingspan: 33 ft, 7 inches
Max. Speed: 720 mph
Range: 2200 miles
Armament: 4.50 caliber machine guns