Warbird Information Exchange

Normally we think as an aircraft design advanced, such as the Stang and T-Bolt, the razorback was upgraded to a bubble canopy. But in the case of the F-84, the early models were bubbles, but by the F it was a razorback. Are there other examples of this design philosophy, or is this the sole bubble to razor?

The MiG 21 evolved from a bubble in the early variants to a 'razorback' in the later interceptor versions. Arguably the spines on the A-4 and F-16 might count.
The I-16 went from closed cockpit to open, but that's not quite the same thing

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

The P-47 and P-51 both went to bubble canopies solely for visibility. Both of them suffered aerodynamic penalties for doing so. The P-51 required a strake, and taller rudder and fin in later models

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.

Good topic, beside the others mentioned, I can not think of many as drastic as the F-84.

Perhaps the TBM3W Avenger, never quite a bubble to start, but the airborne early warning version with the big radar on the belly, had the he all glass greenhouse aft the pilot faired over.

some honorable mentions that lost visibility as they matured:

A-1 Skraider- started as a single seat bubble, but some other versions had a four seat+ cockpit.

Mitsubishi F-1. Minimal change, adopted from the twin seat T-2. Rear canopy, and the intermediate side windows, of the F-2 were replaced with solid metal. Must have compromised over the should visibilty a bit.

Supermarine Attacker. Started with a bubble, but later versions had a more heavily framed canopy and a more metal toward the rear of the canopy teardrop.

XB-52. First one had tandem seating. Switched to side by side.

F-35B. Rear of the canopy more abrupt, less visibilty than the A and C versions, to allow for the lift fan behind the cockpit.

U-2 some later veriosn had a more pronounced canopy covering over the rear top- to reduce heat/sun in the cockpit.

C-74 - went from double bubble to conventional.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Any ex-F-84F guys out there?

What's in the spine...electronics, fuel?
Or was it done for aerodynamic reasons?
Per the discussion of A-4s and F-16 spines, recall that the F-105s modified in the "T Stick II" program had a lager spine for electronics.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Ammunition storage for the wing root guns.

_________________
Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.