Republic XF-84H ThunderScreech Hat

The Republic XF-84H, famously known as the 'ThunderScreech,' is one of the most unforgettable aircraft ever developed. Born from the ambition to create the fastest propeller-driven aircraft, it flew during the mid-1950s. The XF-84H was a modification of the F-84 Thunderjet, designed to test the limits of speed and sound. Its most notable feature was its supersonic propeller, powered by a turbine engine, which produced a sound so loud it reportedly caused physical discomfort and even illness among ground crews and bystandans. Although it never went into production due to its challenging handling characteristics and the deafening noise, the ThunderScreech remains a significant piece of aviation history. It symbolizes the era's experimental spirit and the quest for technological breakthroughs in speed and aircraft performance. The XF-84H's legacy is a testament to the daring and innovation of Cold War-era aviation development.

Like the image but not on a Hat? See this same graphic elsewhere.