Flyhistorisk Museum Sola · Military aircraft
Republic F-84G Thunderjet
The prototype, the XP-84, first flew in 1946. The aircraft was a fighter-bomber and ground-attack aircraft, and in that role it was used with great success in the Korean War. A total of 4,400 F-84s were built. The type had a habit of ending up off the runway, and the Thunderjet is remembered for its many accidents. Through the military aid programme the Royal Norwegian Air Force received 200 of the G version plus six of the E version. The first arrived at Sola in 1951 and were handed over at a ceremony there by General Eisenhower. By the end of 1955 all had been delivered and the air force had six squadrons equipped with the type. For a time Sola had three F-84G squadrons in addition to other types — space was tight in those days. 338 was the last squadron to operate the Thunderjet; the last were phased out in 1960, replaced by the Sabre. The museum's aircraft was delivered to the air force in 1954 and assigned to 338 Squadron. Its operational career was short: it was withdrawn in 1955.
