The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was the first USAF fighter developed after World War II. Over 4,400 examples of the straight-wing aircraft were built in various versions between 1947 and 1953. Many of these were supplied to allied nations under the Mutual Security Program. The F-84 became the first USAF jet fighter able to carry a tactical atomic weapon.

It was originally built as YP-84A, S/N 45-59494, and was one of only 15 pre-production flight test aircraft built by Republic. Rumor has it that it was delivered to Chanute for use as a ground trainer by a young flight test pilot named Chuck Yeager. The aircraft was painted and configured years ago by base personnel to closely resemble one of the F-84G models flown by the USAF Thunderbirds in their 1953 show season. This was done so the aircraft could be displayed in Thunderbird Airpark here at Chanute.

This aircraft is on loan to Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum from the National Museum of the United States Airforce.