The Most Infamous Experimental Aircraft in History

The Republic XF-84H Thunderscreech was supposed to solve one of aviation's biggest postwar problems by combining the instant throttle response of a propeller aircraft with the speed of a jet fighter. Instead, it became one of the most infamous experimental aircraft ever built. Powered by an enormous turboprop engine driving a propeller whose tips traveled faster than the speed of sound, the XF-84H generated relentless shockwaves that reportedly made ground crews faint, vomit, and take cover during engine runs, earning a reputation as the loudest aircraft ever flown. But deafening noise was only part of the story. The aircraft suffered constant vibration, severe instability, repeated mechanical failures, and an astonishing record of emergency landings that convinced even experienced test pilots to refuse to fly it again. As jet technology rapidly improved, the ambitious concept that once promised to revolutionize carrier aviation quickly became obsolete. This is the incredible story of the Republic XF-84H Thunderscreech, the supersonic-prop fighter that tried to bridge the gap between propellers and jets, and the spectacular engineering gamble that became one of aviation's greatest dead ends. --- Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between. As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.