F-84H Thunderscreech.That was the popular name for the Thunderstreak or Republic XF-84H. It was one of two experimental models based on the single turbine F-84. At least it used the wings and gear with a T-tail, a fatter fuselage, and two Allison turbines delivering 7400 hp. The engines were in the fuselage behind the cockpit with two driveshafts running on each side under the seat to a gear box for the propeller. The prop was an Aeroproducts 3 blade with a 12 ft diameter. The blades had a wide aspect ratio of 4:1 and turned 2100 to 3000 rpm, or about twice normal prop speed and that made the outer 1/3 of the prop run supersonic full time. Thrust was controlled by pitch. It was so noisy it would knock unconscious anyone nearby and in line with the prop disk. So the name. The tower controllers hid under the desks when it took off for fear of broken glass. Top speed was estimated at 670 mph but it was never flown above 450 as it became unstable at about 400 and it flew less than a dozen times. The Navy was interested at first. They had a problem with prop plane's carrier landings as in last minute pull ups acceleration torque caused a left and down dive into the water, not up. Jets took too long to spool up if about to undershoot. But the Navy never followed up. The F-84H is now at the Air Force Museum.
I will have to look through my old Wings/Airpower mags to see if there is an article on the F-84H. I seem to recall seeing something about the F-84H there a long time back.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Strange plane. Thanks for the info.