1/48 F-84F Thunderstreak part 2 - Armée de l´Air

1/48 F-84F Thunderstreak part 2 - Armée de lˇAir / Belgian Air Force. Catalog Number 200-D48081

The decal sheet contains the following markings:

1. F-84F Thunderstreak - Armée de l´Air, EC 2/4 Lafayette, 1959.

2. F-84F Thunderstreak - Armée de l´Air, EC 1/1 Corse, 1956.

3. F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, 2.Wing Florennes Demo Flight.

• F-84F Thunderstreak - Armée de l'Air, EC 2/4 Lafayette, 1959: This machine belonged to Escadron de Chasse 2/4 "La Fayette" (Fighter Squadron 2/4 Lafayette) of the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air). This squadron is historically significant and bears the name of the famous Lafayette Escadrille of World War I, composed of American volunteers. In 1959, the squadron operated F-84F Thunderstreak aircraft, which formed the backbone of the French fighter-bomber force at the time. EC 2/4 Lafayette was part of the 4e Escadre de Chasse (4th Fighter Wing).
   
• F-84F Thunderstreak - Armée de l'Air, EC 1/1 Corse, 1956: this Thunderstreak served with the Escadron de Chasse 1/1 Corse (Fighter Squadron 1/1 Corsica) of the French Air Force. This squadron was part of the 1re Escadre de Chasse (1st Fighter Wing). In 1956, when this machine operated, the French Air Force was undergoing rearmament to more modern jet aircraft and the F-84F represented a significant strike force. The EC 1/1 Corse had a rich history dating back to the First World War.
   
• F-84F Thunderstreak - Belgian Air Force, 2nd Wing Florennes Demo Flight: This F-84F Thunderstreak belonged to the 2nd Wing of the Belgian Air Force, operating out of Florennes. It served in the Demo Flight of this wing. Demonstration squadrons were tasked with demonstrating the capabilities of aircraft and pilots at air shows and public performances. The Belgian Air Force used the F-84F Thunderstreak from 1955 to 1972, and the 2nd Wing was one of the main units operating these aircraft. The squadron's demonstration aircraft often carried special attractive livery.

The F-84F Thunderstreak was an American arrow-wing jet fighter bomber developed by Republic Aviation. Its development followed 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.