REVISED: 3/18/09

Republic

SEE ALSO Fairchild-Republic

1931: Seversky Aircraft Corp, Farmingdale NY. 1939: Republic Aviation Corp (pres: Ralph S Damon), Farmingdale. 1965: Republic Div, Fairchild-Hiller Corp. 1972: Fairchild-Republic Co.

2-PA Guardsman 1941 = Export fighter, trainer. 2pClwM rg; 1050hp P&W R-1830; span: 41'0" length: 27'8" load: 1683# v: 285. POP: 50 ordered by Sweden, impounded by USAAF as AT-12 [41-17494/17543].
  Republic AT-12 [41-17530] (K O Eckland coll)

AT-12 SEE 2-PA.
  Republic XF-12A [44-91003] (USAF via P R Buchholz coll)
  Republic XF-12A [44-91002]

F-12, R-12 Rainbow 1946 = Long-range photo-recon. 7pClwM rg; four 28-cyl 3250hp P&W R-4360-31 Wasp Majors; span: 129'2" length: 93'10" load (est): 10,000# v: 450/400/104 range: 4100 ceiling: 41,000'. Alexander Kartveli; ff (as XF-12A): 7/2/46. Sleek flying photo lab complete with three camera and a darkroom. Initially planned as a post-war transport, the only two built went to USAAF as XF-12A, their first four-engine aircraft designed specifically for photo-recon duties. Redesignated as XR-12A in June 1948. POP: 2 [44-91002/91003], and a contract for 6 cancelled. Disposition of the first one unknown; the latter was destroyed in a crash at Eglin AFB on 11/7/48.

Prototypes for Republic XF-12 used a system to route exhaust and supercharger and accessory waste gases to an oval "jet pipe" exhaust installation on four R-4360-31s, which gained 250-300hp per engine. Rather than having individual cowl flaps, the entire nacelle was equipped with a sliding ring arrangement and internal variable-speed fan for cooling air on the cylinder heads.
   Rainbow was purpose-built as a Strategic Reconnaissance aircraft. USAF decided to stay with the F-13—modified B-29s, redesignated RB-29s after 1948. XF-12s were significantly faster in cruise than the F-13/RB-29s (220mph vs 380mph) with nearly 4000-mile range and a service ceiling in excess of 40,000', and had an on-board photo processing lab. The two prototypes were redesignated XR-12 by 1948. One is at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, the other ended as a target at Aberdeen proving grounds in the late '40s or early '50s.
   Republic proposed a 46-place passenger version with 7 crew, 400mph over 3500 miles, but there were not enough orders to cover development costs. I think Rainbows still holds the unofficial record for four-engine piston speed at around 460mph. The design goal was sometimes referred to as "flying on all fours"—4 engines, 400mph cruise, 4000 miles at 40,000'. (— Bill Zorn via Richard E Gillespie 10/10/00)
F-84 SEE P-84.
  Republic XF-91 [46-680] (Edwards FTC archives)
  Republic XF-91B [46-681] (Republic Corp)

F-91 Thunderceptor 1949 = Rocket-assisted interceptor. 1pCmwM rg; 5300# GE J47-GE-3 turbojet + 6000# Reaction Motors XLR-11 rocket; span: 31'3" length: 43'3" load: 7954# v: 1126/539/144 range: 1170 ceiling: 55,000'; ff: 5/9/49 (p: Carl Bellinger). Alexander Kartveli et al. Rocket was installed ventrally at the tail. Inverse-tapered, variable-incidence wings. Initially design-designation as P-91. POP: 2 prototypes as XF-91 [46-680/681]. The latter was modified with a V-tail, and the first was revised with a nose radome as XF-91B, which was a factory designation.
F-96 1950 = Fighter-bomber prototype based on F-84E with 5200# Allison XJ35-A-25; ff: 6/3/50 (p: O P Hass). POP: 1 as YF-96A [49-2430]. Redesignated as F-84F in Sep 1950.
  Republic XF-103 Mock-up (Republic Corp)

F-103 - In the late 1940s, AAF contracts for a Mach 3+ Air Superiority Fighter (aka "1954 Interceptor") went to Convair (XF-102 Delta Dagger) and Republic (XF-103 Thunderwarrior). XF-103 featured many novel concepts—smooth titanium exterior, dual turbo-ramjet, and a pilot capsule that would in an emergency be blown out of the bottom of the fuselage. In 1957, a mock-up XF-103 underwent AAF evaluation, but was judged "too ahead of its time." Convair won by default.
F-105 Thunderchief - Nuclear capable fighter-bomber. 1pCmwM rg. Original fuselage bomb bay later modified for long-range fuel tank. Popular nicknames of "Thud," "Super Hog," and "Lead Sled."
  Republic YF-105A [54-0098] (USAF Museum)
YF-105A 1955 = Service testers with 15000# P&W J57; ff: 10/22/55 (p: Russell M Roth). POP: 2 [54-0098/0099].
F-105A - None built in favor of F-105B.

RF-105A 1956 = Photo-recon version. POP: 3.

  Republic F-105B [54-0102] (USAF Museum)
F-105B 1956 = 17200# P&W J75 turbojet; span: 34'11" length: 63'1" load: 20,000#+ (ordnance: 8000#) v: 1276/x/204 range: 745 (2228 with external tanks) ceiling: 48,100'; ff: 1420/526/56. Redesigned "wasp-waist" fuselage, larger fin. POP: 65 [54-0100/0112, 57-5776/5840], of which 4 were modified with a steel tail group for the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.
RF-105B 1956 = Photo-recon version. POP: 3. Redesignated as JF-105B.
F-105C 1957 - 2p trainer; program cancelled.

  Republic F-105D (Republic via Tom Heitzman coll)
F-105D 1959 = Strike fighter; long-nose, all-weather, radar version of F-105B; 26500# P&W J75; length: 64'3" v: 1420/x/208 range: 778 ceiling: 50,000'; ff: 6/9/59 (p: Lin Hendrix). Carried seven tons of bombs in 1961 demonstrations, a record for single-engine fighters. POP: 143 [58-1146/1173, x].

  Republic F-105F [62-4424] (USAF Museum)
F-105F 1963 = 2p trainer with taller fin; length: 67'0". POP: 143.

  Republic F-105G [63-8328] (Alf Blume coll)
F-105G 1967 = F-105F modified with in-fight refeuling, improved avionics, and radar-jamming pods in "Wild Weasel" technology, originally designated EF-105F. POP: 54.

F-106 SEE XF-84H.
OA-15 SEE RC-3.

P-35 SEE Seversky P-35

P-43 Lancer - AAF fighter, export. 1pClwM rg. Alexander Kartveli, based on Seversky XP-41.
  Republic YP-43 (Republic)

YP-43 1940 = 1200hp P&W turbocharged R-1830-21; span: 36'0" length: 27'11" load: 1822# v: 351. POP: 13 [39-704/716].

P-43 1941 = Two .50 cowling guns, two .30 wing guns. 1200hp P&W R-1830-49; length: 28'6" load: 2281# v: 349/280/x range: 800. POP: 54 [41-6668/6721].

P-43A 1941 = Four .50 wing guns. POP: 80 [40-2891/2970].

P-43A-1 1942 = Pilot armor; self-sealing fuel tanks. P&W R-1830-49; v: 360. POP: 125 [41-21448/21572], of which 4 to RAAF in China as RP-43A-1.
P-43B, -43C, -43D, -43E 1942 = Conversions from various earlier models as photo-recon. A number of these were also delivered to Chinese Air Force as fighters.
  Republic P-44 3-view (Republic)

P-44 Rocket - Fighter design concept based on YP-43 with 1400hp P&W R-2180. Never built, initial contracts for 80 and 827 units were cancelled in favor of P-47.
  Republic P-47 "Skibolt;" definitely non-retractable
  P-47 cockpit (Republic)

P-47, F-47 Thunderbolt - AAF fighter. 1pClwM rg. Alexander Kartveli. 12' four-blade prop — to provide ground clearance for this, the unique telescoping landing gear was 9" shorter when retracted. $83,000+; POP total: 15,579 (?>15,683), the most-produced US fighter of WW2. Production at Farmingdale (suffix -RE) and Evansville IN (suffix -RA), as well as subcontract to Curtiss for P-47G. First fighter to exceed 500 mph in level flight. Popularly nicknamed "Jug" after its rotund shape, as well as an unofficial British designation of Juggernaut. During WW2, Thunderbolt's ratio of aerial combat victories to losses was 4.6:1 in downing 2,752 enemy aircraft, besides destroying 3,315 more on the ground. Official records also credit P-47 with some 9,000 locomotives and 86,000 railroad cars, 6,000 armored vehicles and tanks, and 68,000 trucks! SEE The P-47 Thunderbolt in detail.
 P-47 Registrations


Flying the P-47

XP-47, -47A - Planned for Allison inline engines, neither project was completed, and XP-47's assigned s/n [40-3051] went to revised P-47B; XP-47A was a proposed stripped and unarmed test version, s/n [40-3052] assigned.

  Republic XP-47B [40-3051] (USAAF)

XP-47B 1941 = Prototype with 1960hp P&W XR-2800-17; load: 3845#; ff: 5/6/41 (p: Lowrey Brabham). Eight .50 wing guns. $113,196; POP: 1 [40-3051].

  Republic P-47B [41-5931] (USAAF)

P-47B, RP-47B 1942 = 2000hp P&W R-2800-21/-35 turbocharged Double Wasp; span: 40'9" length: 35'0" load: 4014# v: 412/335/100 range: 570 ceiling: 38,000'. Metal skins replaced original fabric-covered control surfaces. Forward-canted radio mast. POP: 171 [41-5895/6065]; most were redesignated RP-47B as Restricted category. One [41-5942] briefly fitted with Curtiss-Wright six-blade dual-rotation prop and oversize spinner.

  Republic P-47C

P-47C 1941 = 2000hp P&W R-2800-21, later 2535hp R-2800-59 and Curtiss-Electric propeller; longer fuselage, internal modifications and radio gear, straight radio mast; length: 35'5" (?>36'1") v: 433/350/100 range: 550 ceiling: 42,000'. POP: 57 [41-6067/6123].

P-47C-1 1941 = Extended nose with new engine mount, dropable belly tank; length: 36'1". POP: 55 [41-6066, -6124/6177].

P-47C-2 1942 = Bomber escort fighter. 205-gal ferry tank. First P-47 to enter combat in the European theater. POP: 128 [41-6178/6305].

  Republic P-47C-5 [41-6530] (USAAF)

P-47C-5 1942 = Technical mods, heated cockpit. POP: 362 [41-6306/6667].
  Republic P-47D Razorback and bubble canopy (USAAF)
P-47D 1942 = Water injection, wing tanks. 2300hp R-2800-29; length: 36'1" load: 9400# v: 430/350/100 range: 475 ceiling: 42,000. $98,033; POP: 12,602 (SEE P-47 Registrations), plus 590 to RAF as Thunderbolt I/II, USSR, Free French, China, Iran, Mexico, Turkey, Yugoslavia, and South American contries. Initial 5,777 planes had framed canopies; bubble canopies were installed after evaluative tests with P-47K.
P-47D-1 1942 = Four added lower cowl flaps, added armorplate, and other minor modifications; load: 3430#. POP: 105. Also built by Curtiss as P-47G-1.

P-47D-2 1942 = New belly tanks, other upgrades. Some with whip antenna. POP: 645.

P-47D-4 1942 = P-47D-1 modified with GE C-21 supercharger and water injection. POP: 100.

P-47D-5 1942 = GE C-21 supercharger; revised drop-tank and bomb shackles. Some with RDF loop antenna. POP: 299.

P-47D-6 1942 = Ventral bomb shackles and other modifications. POP: 350.

P-47D-10 1942 = 2000hp R-2800-63. POP: 500.

P-47D-12 1942 = Water injection. POP: 400.

P-47D-15 1943 = Beefed-up wing to support fuel-tank pylons and bomb racks. POP: 653, of which 2 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk I.

P-47D-16 1943 = Minor technical modifications. POP: 283.

  Republic P-47D-20 [42-25315]

P-47D-20 1943 = R-2800-59 with new ignition system, cockpit and gun heating, "universal wing" adaptable to various ordnance, bazooka tubes. Experiments in paint camouflage and waxing. End of camouflage paint schemes. POP: 485.

P-47D-21 1943 = Minor technical modifications. POP: 440, of which 58 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk I.

  Republic P-47D-22 [42-25704]

P-47D-22 1943 = 13'2" Hamilton-Standard paddle-blade prop. POP: 850, of which 180 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk I.

P-47D-23 1943 = 13'0" Curtiss paddle-blade prop. Final razorback model; length: 36'2" load: 4050# ceiling: 38,800'. POP: 889.

  Republic P-47D-25 [42-26641] (USAAF)

P-47D-25 1943 = First bubble canopy, originally tested on XP-47K/-47L, new gunsight. POP: 385, of which 90 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk II.

P-47D-26 1944 = Revised production bubble canopy. POP: 250.

  Republic P-47D-27 [42-26389]

P-47D-27 1944 = Hamilton-Standard prop, dorsal fin, dive brakes. POP: 611, of which 30 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk II.

  Republic P-47D-28 Brazil export [42-26773]

P-47D-28 1944 = Curtiss prop. Export version; POP: 1,778, of which 130 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk II.

  Republic P-47D-30 [44-33287] (USAF Museum)
  Republic P-47D-30 [44-33524]

P-47D-30 1944 = Propeller blade changes. POP: 2,600, of which 299 to RAF as Thunderbolt Mk II.

P-47D-40 1944 = New gunsight and rocket launcher wing mounts.
XP-47E 1943 = Pressurized cockpit with hinged canopy, slanted radio mast; P&W R-2800-59 and Hamilton prop. POP: 1 modified from P-47B [41-6065].

  Republic XP-47F under construction [41-5938] (Republic via Don Friedman)

XP-47F 1942 = P-47B modified with special 42'0" laminar-flow wing. POP: 1 [41-5938], destroyed in an accident after delivery to AAF..

  Republic P-47G [42-25234/NX3395G] (James Lloyd)

P-47G (Curtiss) 1943 = Dive brakes. $96,475; POP: 354 with Curtiss suffixes P-47G-1 and P-47G-15 [42-24920/25273].

TP-47G-15 (Curtiss) 1944 = Armed 2p trainer. POP: 2 converted from P-47D [42-25266/25267].
  Republic XP-47H on take-off, slow right-gear cycle (Republic)

XP-47H 1945 = 2300hp Chrysler XIV-2220-1 16-cyl inverted-V; length: 38'4" load: 2568# v: 490 ceiling: 36,000'; ff: 7/26/45. POP: 2 modified from P-47D [42-23297/23298], the second of which was not completed as the war ended.

  Republic XP-47J [43-46952] (Republic)

XP-47J 1943 = Special lightweight test version with 2100hp supercharged R-2800-57C and four-blade prop; span: 40'11" length: 33'3" load: 2737# v: 504/400/92 range: 765-1070 ceiling: 45,000'; ff: 11/26/43. The first propeller airplane to exceed 500mph in level flight; 504mph on 8/4/44. POP: 1 [43-46952]. Production halted with the advent of P-72.

  Republic XP-47K [42-8702]

XP-47K 1943 = P-47D fitted with experimental bubble canopy from a Hawker Typhoon. POP: 1 [42-8702] as prototype P-47D-25.

XP-47L 1944 = Prototype bubble canopy. POP: 1 modified from P-47D with 370-gal fuselage tank for extended range [42-76614].

  Republic YP-47M [42-27385] (NACA)

YP-47M 1944 = 2100hp P&W R-2800-14W. No ventral fin. POP: 4 modified from P-47D [42-27385/27388].

  Republic P-47M (NACA)

P-47M 1944 = Production as YP-47M planned for specific use against German V-1 buzz-bombs. 2800hp R-2800-57C with water injection; span: 40'9" length: 36'4" load: 5068# v: 473/300/99 range: 550 ceiling: 41,000'. Added dive brakes, Curtiss paddle-blade prop, ventral fin. Engine problems delayed their entry into combat until shortly before the war ended. POP: 130 [44-21108/21237].

  Republic XP-47N [42-27387] (USAAF)

XP-47N 1944 = Long-range version for Pacific theater with two 93-gallon wing tanks for a total fuel capacity of 1,266 gallons with drop-tanks; span: 42'6" length: 36'2" load: 5595# v: 450 range: 2190 ceiling: 39,900'; ff: 7/22/44. R-2800-57C; larger ailerons, squared-off wingtips, beefed-up landing gear. POP: 1 conversion from YP-47M [42-27387].

P-47N 1944 = Long-range escort fighter with 2800hp R-2800-57C; load: 9700# v: 467/300/98 range (combat): 800 ceiling: 43,000'. $85,448; POP total N: 1,816 [44-87784/89450, 45-49975/50123]. Redesignated F-47 in 1948.

P-47N-1 1944 = Additional internal and external fuel tanks, Curtiss paddle-blade prop. POP: 550.

  Republic P-47N-5

P-47N-5 1945 = R-2800-77. Last combat model. POP: 550.

P-47N-15 1945 = Ten rocket launcher shackles. POP: 200.

P-47N-20 1945 = Unknown modifications. POP: 349.

P-47N-25 1945 = Final production, with R-2800-77. POP: 167.
  Republic P-69 3/4-size mock-up (Republic via USAF Museum)

P-69 1943 - Project cancelled at mock-up stage. Proposed engine was 2500hp Wright R-2160 42-cyl, six-row radial.
  Republic XP-72 (Republic Corp)

P-72 1944 = Buzz-bomb interceptor for 8th AF. Modified P-47 with 3450hp P&W R-4360-13 turbocharged Wasp Major; span: 40'11" length: 36'8" load: 2940# v: 490/300/104 range: 1300 ceiling: 42,000'; ff: 2/2/44. POP: 2 as XP-72 [43-36598/36599]; 98 were cancelled upon Germany's defeat.
  F-84 cockpit (USAF)

P-84 Thunderjet, Thunderstreak - Tactical fighter-bomber, last of the subsonics to see service. 1pClwM in straight- and swept-wing versions. Became F-84 Thunderstreak in June 1948 when all P designations changed to F.
  Republic XP-84

XP-84 1946 = 3750# J35-GE-7 turbojet; ff: 2/28/46 (p: Jack Bade) (?>p: Maj William Lien). POP: 3 [45-59475/58477].

  Republic YP-84A [45-50490] (USAF)

YP-84A 1946 = POP: 15 for service trials [45-59482/59496].

  Republic P-84B [46-652] (USAF)

P-84B, F-84B 1947 = First production; ejection seat, rocket launchers. 3750# Allison J35-A-15C; span: 36'5" length: 37'5" load: 10,151# v: 587/436/x range: 1282 ceiling: 40,750' POP: 226 [45-59497/59581, 46-533/673]. Redesignated as F-84B.

P-84C, F-84C 1948 = 4000# J35-A-13C, new electrical system. POP: 191 [47-1412/1602]. Redesignated as F-84C.

  Republic F-84D [48-657] (William T Larkins)

F-84D 1950 = 5000# J35-A-17D; heavier wings and many smaller changes. First to arrive in Korea. POP: 154 [48-641/794].

  Republic F-84E [49-2343] (USAF)

F-84E 1951 = Radar gunsight, extended cockpit; length: 38'5". POP: 843 [49-2022/2429, 50-1111/1230, -1813/1837, 51-477/691, -9548/9622], of which 100 to NATO.

XF-84-F, YF-84F 1951 = POP: 3 [49-2430, 51-1344/1345], redesignated as YF-96A, the second of which was repowered with Wright YJ65-W-1.

  Republic F-84F [51-9532] (USAF) [51-1346] (Republic)
  F-84F cockpit (Republic)

F-84F 1951 = Change to swept-wing. 7220# Wright J65-W-3; span: 33'8" length: 43'5" v: 695 range: 1650. POP: 2,711 [51-1346/1827, -9311/9547, -17061/17088, 52-6355/7228, -8767/9128, 52-10510/10538, 53-6532/7230]; 1 redesignated from YF-96A [49-2430].

  Republic RF-84F [51-1829] (USAF)

RF-84F Thunderflash 1952 = Photo-recon with wing-root intakes. 7800# J65; length: 47'8" v: 679 range: 2200 ceiling: 46,000'. POP: 718 [51-1829/1958, -11250/11297, -16996/17058, 52-7229/7475, -8717/8766, 53-7521/7697], of which 386 to NATO.

  Republic YRF-84F [51-1828] (USAF)

YRF-84F 1952 = Prototype parasite hook-up in B-36 extended-range tests in 1953. POP: 1 converted from RF-84F [51-1828].

F-84G 1951 = First fighter with nuclear ordnance capability. Used by NATO forces. 5600# J35-A-29; span: 38'1" length: 43'5" range: 2000 ceiling: 40,500'. POP: 1,936 [51-692/1343, -9623/11249, -16643/16751, 52-2893/3329, -8267/9128].

  Republic XF-84H [51-17060]

XF-84H (aka XF-106 temporarily) 1955 = Major redesign of F-84F as T-tailed test-bed for 5350hp XT40-A-1 turboprop and supersonic props; ff: 7/22/55 (p: Henry Beaird). POP: 2 [51-17059/17060], but only the first flew.

  Republic RF-84K GRB-36D hook-up (Convair)

RF-84K 1955 = Hook-up fighters with B-36 for extended range. POP: 25 modified from RF-84F.

YF-84J 1954 = Deeper fuselage, new nose intake; 8920# GE XJ73-GE-7; ff: 5/7/54 (?>5/12/54) (p: Russell Roth). POP: 2 [51-1708/1709].

  Republic XP-91 [46-680] (USAF Museum)

P-91 1946 = 1pClwM rg. POP: 2 as XP-91 [46-680/681]; redesignated XF-91 in 198. The first ended up at USAF Museum, the second caught fire on takeoff in mid-1951 and burned to the ground, pilot escaped.
  Republic RC-1 [NX41816] (Republic)

RC-1 Thunderbolt Amphibian 1944 = 2pChwAm; 175hp Franklin pusher; ff: 11/30/44 (p: P Spencer). Percy Spencer. All-metal construction based on Spencer S-12 Air Car. POP: 1 prototype [NX41816].
RC-2 - Proposed, but unbuilt, commercial 53p transport version of XF-/XR-12.
  Republic RC-3 [N87537] (William T Larkins)
  Republic RC-3 [XF-HYK] (Eddie Coates coll)

RC-3 Seabee, OA-15 1945 (ATC 769) = 4pChwMAm; 215hp Franklin 6A8-B7F pusher; span: 37'8" length: 28'0" load: 1050# v: 120/103/58 range: 360 ceiling: 12,000'; ff: 12/1/45 (p: P Spencer). Percy Spencer. All-metal construction. . Production began in May 1946. POP: 1060, of which 1 [NX87451] to USAF for evaluation as YOA-15 (12 ordered but contract cancelled and none was delivered) and 1 to Army [NC6429K] for trials as OA-15, also not taken up. Initially $3,995, then $4,495 by July, and $5,995 in 1947. When Republic realized that it was costing about $13,000 to produce each one, production was shut down in Oct 1947. One modified 1960 as a twin with 180hp Lycomings for testing by Helio Aircraft of Norwood MA [N87588], prototype for production conversions as United Twin Bee 1966-87. Design also appeared as Canadian Trident TR-1 in the 1970s.
R-12 SEE F-12.
  D-24, VAX, or VFX? Mock-up (Republic)
  D-24, VAX, or VFX? Model (Jos Heyman)

-Fokker D-24, VAX, or VFX? 1965 = Mock-up only, no specs found. For a spirited brain-busting conference and final solution to this enigmatic creature, SEE Sidebar.

SOURCES:
-- Sever the Sky, Edward Maloney [Planes of Fame 1979]
-- P-47 Thunderbolt, From Seversky To Victory, Warren Bodie [Widewing 1994]