Union City in Obion County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
YP-84A Thunderjet
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, July 18, 2017
1. YP-84A Thunderjet Marker
Inscription.
YP-84A Thunderjet. . An XP-84 Thunderjet prototype was first flown in 1946 and reached a top speed of 607.2 mph, making it the fastest American-designed aircraft of the time. These prototypes were followed by the production of fifteen YP-84A models, one of which is displayed here, that included a slightly improved engine, armament of six machine guns, and wingtip fuel tanks. Beginning with the B-models, this aircraft family was re-designated as F-84 Thunderjets by the U. S. Air Force.
The Thunderjet experienced issues early on, but was perfected with the F-84G production model, the first single-seat fighter to carry a nuclear weapon. F-84 models were used during the Korean War, but were pulled from head-to-head action and transferred to ground strike operations because of its poor performance against the Soviet flown MiG-15 fighters.
This aircraft, s/n 45-59494, is painted and marked in the scheme of the Thunderbirds, the U. S. Air Force's flight demonstration team. While this model was not the same used by the team, the F-84G and F-84F Thunderflash fighters were employed instead. During its flight history, the aircraft seen here was only stationed at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and the Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois.
An XP-84 Thunderjet prototype was first flown in 1946 and reached a top speed of 607.2 mph, making it the fastest American-designed aircraft of the time. These prototypes were followed by the production of fifteen YP-84A models, one of which is displayed here, that included a slightly improved engine, armament of six machine guns, and wingtip fuel tanks.
Beginning with the B-models, this aircraft family was re-designated as F-84 Thunderjets by the U. S. Air Force.
The Thunderjet experienced issues early on, but was perfected with the F-84G production model, the first single-seat fighter to carry a nuclear weapon. F-84 models were used during the Korean War, but were pulled from head-to-head action and transferred to ground strike operations because of its poor performance against the Soviet flown MiG-15 fighters.
This aircraft, s/n 45-59494, is painted and marked in the scheme of the Thunderbirds, the U. S. Air Force's flight demonstration team. While this model was not the same used by the team, the F-84G and F-84F Thunderflash fighters were employed instead. During its flight history, the aircraft seen here was only stationed at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and the Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space
Location. 36° 26.209′ N, 89° 4.254′ W. Marker is in Union City, Tennessee, in Obion County. Marker is on Graham Drive. Marker is located in Space Exploration Discovery Park America. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 210-260 Graham Dr, Union City TN 38261, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
