Imagine strapping into a jet that could barely clear the runway when fully loaded with fuel and bombs, yet went on to fly over 86,000 combat missions in Korea. This is the Republic F-84 Thunderjet, one of America’s first true jet fighters. Introduced in 1947, it was powered by an Allison J35 turbojet that pushed it past 600 miles per hour, making it a leap forward from the piston-engined fighters of World War II. Though its straight wings limited agility, the Thunderjet became a workhorse, excel