Founded as Seversky Aircraft Corporation at Long
Island, New York, in 1931; name changed to Republic Aviation
Corporation in 1939. Secured $56.5 million contract
for fighter from the USAAC in 1940, largest single fighter
order ever placed until then by U.S. Government. Built
F-105 "Thunderchief"
P-
35, P-44 and P-43 Lancers for USAAC plus some EP-1 s,
based on P-35, for Swedish Government. Lancer design
developed further into P-47 Thunderbolt for USAAF, of
which 15,329 were built during Second World War. Immediate
postwar designs included the Seabee single-engine
amphibian, the XF-12 high-altitude long-range four-engine
photo-reconnaissance aircraft prototype, and the F-84
Thunderjet/Thunderstreak/Thunderflash series of jetfighters. The larger and heavier F-105 Thunderchief followed
in 1955, and in 1965 the company became the Republic
Aviation Division of Fairchild Hiller Corporation.
