Republic Aviation was a great company. The Seversky Aircraft Company was founded in 1931 and reorganized on October 13, 1939, to become Republic Aviation. In July 1965 Fairchild acquired Republic Aviation and it became a division of Fairchild Hiller in September 1965. In 1981 on the 50th Anniversary employees were given a plastic Frisbee to commemorate this event. Republic Aviation’s plant was in Farmingdale, Long Island it produced quite a few famous aircraft.
Republic Aviation (then Fairchild Republic) had nine (9) aircraft with the word ‘Thunder’ in their names – as follows:
- Thunderbolt – P-47 (the 1st one – the “Jug”)
- Thunderjet – F-84 (straight wings)
- Thunderstreak – F-84F (swept wings)
- Thunderflash – RF-84F (Photo Reconnaissance)
- “Thunderscreech” (nickname) – XF-84H – it was developed from theF-84F. Its propeller could spin at 3,000rpm due to its turboprop engine and the noise levels it produced would cause physical pain. The tips of the propeller blades reached Mach 1.18.
- Thunderceptor – XF-91
- Thunderwarrior – XF-103
- Thunderchief – F-105 (the “Thud”)
- Thunderbolt II – A-10 (the 2nd one – the “Warthog”)
World War II Era
Republic built 15,660 P-47 Thunderbolt’s (affectionately known as the Jug) during WWII. They were known for their durability. P-47’s were flown in both the European and Pacific theaters of operation.
Korean War Era
The F-84 Thunderjet was flown with distinction during the Korean War. The earlier models had straight wings, and the later models had swept wings.
Vietnam War Era
F-105 Thunderchief (it was affectionately known as the Thud). The F-105 distinguished itself during the Vietnam War and it was also known for its durability. The F-105F two-seat Thud were used in the Wild Weasel role to find and destroy SAM sites.
Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria
A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft were deployed to all the above places.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is known as and called the Warthog. It has a 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon. This cannon (like a gatling gun) surely ruins the bad guy’s day. The A-10 first flew on May 10th, 1972. Over the years there have been many attempts to retire the A-10 and they have all failed. In June 2017 it was announced that the A-10 will be kept in the USAF inventory indefinitely.
In 1981 the USAF needed to replace the aging Cessna T-37 Trainer known as the Tweet – it had been flying since 1957. Fairchild submitted a bid for a trainer which was designated the T-46. It first flew on October 15th, 1985. The T-46 was the last project of Fairchild Republic Corporation. Fairchild-Republic folded in 1987 when its parent company Fairchild liquidated it. The plant in Farmingdale, Long Island closed its doors on March 13, 1987, a Friday, Friday the 13th.