1/48 F-84F Thunderstreak part 1 - Belgian Air Force

1/48 F-84F Thunderstreak part 1 - Belgian Air Force. Catalog number 200-D48081

The decal sheet contains the following markings:

1. F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, Operational Conversion Unit, 1970.
   
2. F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, 2nd Squadron, Florennes.
   
3. F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, 2.Wing Florennes Demo Flight.

The Belgian Air Force operated the F-84F Thunderstreak from 1955 to 1972. Belgium received a total of 197 of these fighter-bombers under the MDAP military assistance program. The aircraft served with several squadrons at various bases, with the 2nd Squadron and the 2nd Wing at Florennes playing a significant role.

• F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, Operational Conversion Unit, 1970: In 1970, as the F-84F was nearing the end of its service life in the Belgian Air Force (replaced by the more modern Mirage 5), the Operational Conversion Unit was used to retrain pilots to other aircraft types. The use of the Thunderstreak in this unit in 1970 marked the final phase of its service, when it was used to train pilots who would no longer fly it actively.

• F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, 2nd Squadron, Florennes: The 2nd Squadron was one of the main units of the Belgian Air Force to operate the F-84F Thunderstreak from its introduction in 1955 until its retirement in 1972, when it was re-equipped with Mirage 5 aircraft. The 2nd Squadron, based at Florennes, was known for its emblem, the red comet. The squadron's aircraft bore a distinctive marking and took part in many exercises and performed the role of fighter-bomber.

• The F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, 2nd Wing Florennes Demo Flight: the 2nd Wing at Florennes also operated an aerobatic group (Demo Flight) that performed flight demonstrations in F-84F Thunderstreak aircraft. These demonstrations were used to promote the Air Force and demonstrate the capabilities of the aircraft and pilots. The aircraft for these demonstrations often carried special, attractive camouflage and were flown by selected, experienced pilots.

The Belgian F-84F Thunderstreak played a significant role in the Air Force during the early Cold War. Many were scrapped after retirement, but some have survived as museum exhibits or memorials.

The F-84F Thunderstreak was an American arrow-wing jet fighter bomber developed by Republic Aviation. Its development was a continuation of the earlier F-84 Thunderjet straight-wing type, but the "F" version represented an almost entirely new aircraft. The prototype F-84F first flew in June 1950.

Series production began in 1954, and the aircraft served primarily with the U.S. Air Force's Tactical Air Command as a fighter-bomber for ground attack. A total of 2,711 F-84Fs were produced, more than half of which were delivered to NATO member nations under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP).

The F-84F Thunderstreak featured an arrow wing, which allowed it to reach higher speeds than its straight-wing predecessor. It was powered by a Wright J65 jet engine. The aircraft carried an armament of six 12.7 mm machine guns and could carry up to 2,700 kg of external cargo, including bombs and rockets, and even a tactical nuclear weapon.

Although the F-84F was more advanced than the original Thunderjet, its service with the U.S. Air Force's front line was relatively short, as jet technology advanced rapidly and it was soon replaced by more modern machines such as the F-100 Super Sabre. However, the F-84F remained in service with the Air National Guard until the 1970s, and served even longer in many allied countries, such as Turkey until 1982.

The F-84F Thunderstreak saw combat deployment in the French Air Force during the Suez Crisis and the Greek-Turkish conflict over Cyprus, for example. Some modified machines were also used for special purposes, for example in the FICON project.

If necessary, the decal can be removed - washed off with Zippo lighter fluid.