| mike1204, mike1204(@)hotmail.co.uk, 21.06.2009 The upper photo is of an RF-84F Thunerflash photo-reconnaissance aircraft, originally based in Japan in the 1950s to overfly east Soviet and possibly Chinese 'targets'; it was never used as a nuclear bomber (the F-84G was designed for this, for Tactical Air Command, with forward bases in the UK and French Morocco as part of Operation 'Longstride'.
History of FS-265 (lower picture) is an RF-84F Thunderflash that was used on the mis-named FICON program, hence the hook on the nose. FICON was originally investigated the possibilities of conveying a 'parasite' fighter (such as the XF-86 Goblin) hooked into the bomb bay of a converted bomber, with the intention of additional defence for USAAF bomber streams. The RF-84H, on the other hand, was designed to extend the RB-36's operational range by airlifting the RF-84F to a relaese point, whereby the 'fighter' element was released to carry out high-speed espionage over the 'enemy' before returning and hooking back on to the mothership for its journey back to the USA. It could be refuelled or even re-crewed by the mothership. However, after nearly four years of experimental development (the system was never used operationally), it was found that by merely towing the RF-84F by a probe-and-drogue Tactical AF tanker, the result could be the same, without conversion of expensive reconnaissance bombers. I am fairly certain that Misawa AFB has now placed these aircraft under cover from the elements inside what became the start of an aircraft museum Hope this is of interest |
| Ray, rilsejr1(@)yahoo.com, 30.09.2008 If memory serves me right this aircraft was on the runways at Misawa AFB Japan being used as a nuclear strike aircraft. It was never used,however it was in a guarded area on the airfield 24/7. Anyone know if I am correct or does my mind defie me? |