In 1952 the USAF was testing two YRF-84F FICON (FIghter CONveyor) prototypes, one of which is currently stored at the NMUSAF - see my 1973 photo. Orders were placed for 25 RF-84Ks, while ten B-36s were converted into GRB-36 carriers. The RF-84K now on display in the marks of the 91st SRS (with which it operated between 1955 and 1957) may have been used for a short time for deep penetration reconnaissance flights into the USSR, started and recovered from its mother ship. As more capable aircraft rendered the awkward concept obsolete, the RF-84Ks joined regular land-based RF-84Fs

On display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This SAC Thunderflash of the 91st SRS, 71st SRW(F) based at Larson AFB in 1956 is one of 25 that were modified as parasite aircraft to hook up with ten GRB-36 FIghter CONveyers (FICON), which were modified strategic bombers. The concept was to carry the fighter or recce aircraft near the target, drop and recover the same so that the range of the fighter could be extended at a time when aerial refuelling was unproven. Separating and hooking back was hazardous.

Modified from RF-84F by provision of down-swept tailplanes, hook etc to permit carriage by GRB-36D mothership for specialist 'FICON' photo-recce missions with the 91 SRS, 71 SRW. Later transferred to the USAF Museum.

The Thunderflash was the first jet to be developed specifically to fill a reconaissance role. The RF-84 had its air-intake ducts relocated to the wing roots and the nose elongated and enclosed to permit installation of camera and electronic equipment.