F-84F (IAF)

This page is about the French strike aircraft F-84F (IAF). For other versions, see F-84 (Family).

F-84F IAF

F-84F IAF

Description

During the Suez Crisis of 1956, the French Air Force deployed the F-84F Thunderstreak covertly with repainted Israeli markings to aid the IAF against Egypt. Employed primarily in a ground-attack role, the F-84F contributed to the military intervention force alongside British and Israeli forces. Operating from bases in the French territories in North Africa, the Thunderstreak executed bombing missions against Egyptian targets in the Sinai Peninsula. While the F-84F demonstrated its versatility in ground-attack capabilities, the conflict marked a transitional period in military aviation, with the advent of more advanced and specialized aircraft. The Suez Crisis ultimately highlighted both the strengths and limitations of the F-84F Thunderstreak in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

The F-84F Thunderstreak was introduced in Update "Hot Tracks" and was removed from the French tech tree following the introduction of the Update "Winged Lions". The aircraft is unobtainable today as a copy of the aircraft is now on sale in the Israeli tech tree. The aircraft plays completely the same as other F-84Fs, utilizing its airspawn to quickly pounce on targets or get to bombing points before the enemy has the time to intercept. As such, the aircraft in the bombing role can make a great SL and RP grinder due to its premium bonuses.

General info

Flight performance

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	1,090	1,067		29.7	30.9	30.7	28.8	2,000
Upgraded	1,111	1,102		26.5	28.0	45.9	38.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
✓	✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
		533	515	417	~11	~3

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 630	< 600	< 650	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Wright J65-W-7		1	6,667 kg		279 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		8m fuel	20m fuel	29m fuel
1,260 kg	Axial-flow turbojet		7,177 kg	7,838 kg	8,368 kg	8,935 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
Condition	100%	WEP	8m fuel	20m fuel	29m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	3,470 kgf	N/A	0.48	0.44	0.41	0.39
Optimal	3,470 kgf (0 km/h)	N/A	0.48	0.44	0.41	0.39

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

Ballistic Computer
CCIP (Guns)	CCIP (Rockets)	CCIP (Bombs)	CCRP (Bombs)

Offensive armament

The F-84F (IAF) is armed with:

• 4 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (300 rpg = 1,200 total)
• 2 x 12.7 mm M3 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 600 total)

Suspended armament

The F-84F (IAF) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs			1	1	1	1
500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs			1	1	1	1
1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs			1	1	1	1
2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs			1	1	1	1
BLU-1 incendiary bombs			1	1	1	1
FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets	7	7	7			7	7	7
HVAR rockets	2	2	2	6	6	2	2	2
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,700 kg Maximum permissible wing load: 1,350 kg Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 700 kg

Default weapon presets

Without load 24 x HVAR rockets 42 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets 4 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (1,000 lb total) 4 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (2,000 lb total) 4 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (4,000 lb total) 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (4,000 lb total) 4 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs 42 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (2,000 lb total) 42 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (4,000 lb total) 4 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 8 x HVAR rockets (4,000 lb total) 28 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets + 4 x BLU-1 incendiary bombs

Usage in battles

The F-84F has the somewhat common base armament of 6 x M3 Browning machine guns. This combined with its large ammo capacity makes for an aircraft well-suited to dogfighting. Achieving air superiority should be the primary task for all F-84F pilots, the F-84F also excels in a support role, where most of enemies can't simply run away from it. In air battles, it has access to an airspawn, which means that you are able to engage enemies more quickly, giving the F-84F a very aggressive type of playstyle. It is recommended to bring minimal fuel to boost its acceleration and climb rate, do note that bringing a lot of payload will seriously affect your overall mobility, the more payload the heavier, and slower, the aircraft is. If you are inclined to bring a lot of payload, make sure you dispose of it before entering a dogfight, as more often than not you will be knocked out as your flight characteristics won't be on par with most enemies you'll face. When the first enemies engage with allies, go over them and find targets with low energy states and destroy them. Do not chase lone planes, as although the enemy might look like an easy 1-vs-1 victory, the F-84F's low top speed makes it very hard to catch somebody. Try not to engage in a prolonged dogfight, because the F-84F has rather poor energy retention and when caught slow even good acceleration won't save the plane. In a prolonged turnfight, one may find themselves losing even against jets like the MiG-15. Another thing is that you have an adequate ammunition count, so in theory you could stay in combat for a long time if you time your shots and selectively engage enemies you have an advantage over. Destroying bombers and attackers is also a feasible option thanks to the powerful armament.

The aircraft can also be employed in ground strike or destruction of enemy bases with its more than sufficient maximum bomb load of 4 x 1,000 lb Mk.83 bombs and somewhat less impressive selection of 24 HVAR rockets.

Radars

The F-84F is equipped with an AN/APG-30 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft. It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

AN/APG-30 - Rangefinding radar
Maximum Tracking Range	Minimum Tracking Range	Azimuth Tracking Angle	Elevation Tracking Angle
2,750 m	300 m	±9°	±9°

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Gets an airspawn as a strike aircraft
• Six .50 calibre machine guns as main armament gives plenty of firing time to get a hit in
• Diverse payload options in rockets or bombs
• Top speed matches that of other contemporary aircraft

Cons:

• .50 calibre armament is not very powerful, requires longer hit times to do sufficient damage to enemy aircraft
• Rate of climb is rather poor
• Payload restricted to one type of ordnance, rockets or bombs
• Turn time is poorer than other contemporary fighters

History

Devblog

In the late 1940's, the manufacturer 'Republic' sought to improve the performance of the F-84 in order to bring it closer in line with the F-86 Sabre. As a result, it developed a new variant of the Thunderjet, designated F-84F. The new aircraft featured, among other changes, a new swept wing and a more powerful engine than its predecessor. Although Republic initially intended the new aircraft to be an extensive modernization of the base F-84, possessing a high degree of part compatibility with preceding variants, in the end, only less than 20% of the parts were interchangeable, resulting in the F-84F Thunderstreak becoming its own independent design.

Following its maiden flight in the early 1950's, the F-84F was ordered into production. However, the USAF focus on strategic bombers at the time resulted in some critical component manufacturing processes being prioritized for bomber production, ultimately leading to a staggered production start of the new F-84F.

The Thunderstreak officially entered service with the USAF in 1954, but was quickly phased out of active service due to engine issues before being reactivated in the early 1960's as tensions between the two superpowers began to rise again. Ultimately, the F-84F kept flying under American colors well into the early 1970's before finally being retired as newer aircraft replaced the Thunderstreak in active service.

The F-84F was also widely exported to NATO members. Chiefly among them were Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, China, the Netherlands as well as others. In total, well over 2,100 F-84F Thunderstreaks were built, with the Greek Air Force being the last to retire their F-84Fs in 1991.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the F-84F (France) can be used for the F-84F (IAF).

See also

• F-84 (Family)
  • F-84F (France)
  • F-84F (Israel)

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance