Republic XF-84H: why people were disoriented and fainted next to the plane

  • Dec 02, 2021
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Republic XF-84H: why people were disoriented and fainted next to the plane

An experimental American turboprop fighter-bomber, which, during the tests, acquired an extremely ill fame. Near this car, people fainted, and some even had epileptic seizures. What was the problem with the unique car and what fate awaited it after the tests?

A unique car. Photo: vistapointe.net.
A unique car. / Photo: vistapointe.net.
A unique car. / Photo: vistapointe.net.

The American experimental aircraft Republic XF-84H made its first flight on July 22, 1955. In total, two such vehicles were built in the United States, and immediately after the tests, it was removed from service and sent for storage. Great hopes were pinned on the XF-84H project. The designers hoped that their creation would be the first turboprop aircraft that could break the sound barrier. The latter never happened. It was possible to disperse "Thunderstreak" only up to 837 km / h, despite the fact that the cruising speed of the aircraft did not exceed 730 km / h.

The main problem is the propeller. / Photo: everipedia.org.
The main problem is the propeller. / Photo: everipedia.org.
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The main feature of the experimental fighter was its engine and short propeller. Due to the design features, the latter became a source of monstrous noise. The mechanics who worked with Thunderstreak joked: "This plane cannot break the sound barrier, but it has already broken the noise barrier twice!" That being said, the design of the XF-84H was downright poor. More than 80% of the aircraft's test flights ended with an emergency landing. Many test pilots in the end refused to work with the car, citing the fact that the plane would definitely ditch them.

The plane was making a lot of noise. / Photo: flickr.com.
The plane was making a lot of noise. / Photo: flickr.com.

However, the main problem of the XF-84H was still in the terrible noise emanating from its propeller and motor. The sound was so loud that even protective headphones could not save the technicians at a distance of 50-100 meters from it. Moreover, during the tests, pilots and mechanics regularly felt bad: people felt tired, exhausted, dizzy, disoriented. There were even seizures of epilepsy - such a terrible loud noise came from the plane. What is really there - in the control tower, due to the work of the propeller, the equipment was disconnected and malfunctioned! As a result, the aircraft began to be launched almost a kilometer away from the control station, and all commands were given to the pilot using light signals.

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The history of the aircraft ended at the museum. / Photo: weaponscollection.com.
The history of the aircraft ended at the museum. / Photo: weaponscollection.com.

Continuing the topic, read about IL-496 aircraft: what is known about the future flagship of Russian aviation.
A source:
https://novate.ru/blogs/050721/59655/

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