Originally intended as a swept-wing version of Republic’s straight-wing F-84 series, the F-84F that eventually went into service had little in common with its predecessors.  Production delays with the J65 engine slowed development, which was further hampered by stability problems.  The Thunderstreak finally became operational in 1954, but engine trouble grounded the fleet in 1955.  The production delays resulted in the aircraft being declared obsolete and  phase-out from operational squadrons began almost as soon as the jet entered service.  The F-84Fs were finally withdrawn from Air National Guard service in 1971 due to stress corrosion. 

 The RF-84F Thunderflash was developed alongside the fighter version.  The intakes were mounted on the sides of the fuselage instead of in the nose.  This was not adopted for the fighter due to a loss of thrust they caused.  The RF-84F suffered the same problems as the fighter, so it didn’t enter service until 1954.  It was almost immediately phased out of active duty service, in 1957, but was reactivated in 1961 and finally retired from the ANG in 1971. 

 The F-84F went a long way to confirm the adage that if a runway was built encircling the globe, Republic would build an airplane that would use all of it.  The design of the exhaust caused a 10% reduction in thrust, and on a hot day, a pilot could expect to use 7500 feet of runway.  Once airborne, the Thunderstreak was a solid, stable platform.  Like all jet fighters of its era, a pilot explored the limits of the performance envelope at his own risk.

 Of the 2711 Thunderstreaks and Thunderflashes built, 1301 were sent to NATO air forces under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.  The last operational F-84s were three RF-84Fs that were retired from the Hellenic Air Force in 1991.

 I’ve always liked the swept-wing F-84s, even though they didn’t have the sexy lines of the F-86s.  There are two F-84F kits and one RF-84F kit available in 1/48.  Heller makes an F and the RF, while Monogram makes a nice F, too.

 Monogram’s kit might be the best of their 1/48 scale line of jets released back in the 1980s.  The kit has raised panel lines and very good detail.  The last example I built fit better than any other Monogram jet kit I have built.  The cockpit detail is typical Monogram, but it can still stand little updating.

 Heller’s kits look pretty good, and I’m told by F-84F aficionados that they are more accurate than Monogram’s (Monogram’s fuselage is too narrow and the speed brakes are too far aft).  Fit is pretty good and both kits have raised panel lines.  The cockpits on these kits can also use some improvement.

 Harold Offield and his AMS Resin (AMS for “Advanced Modeler’s Syndrome”) has released several new resin cockpits for these kits, each reflecting the differences between the early and late versions of the Thunderstreak, as well as differences between USAF and foreign operators.  Various versions have appropriate changes to the ejection seats and cockpit layout.  Rather than go with a “one size fits all” approach and let the modeler make the resin parts fit one or the other the kit, AMS has a separate cockpit set tailored for each kit.

 I have the sets for Heller’s F-84F and RF-84F (pictured).  Both of these sets include a cockpit tub, seat, nose gear well, and exhaust.  The casting is excellent, on par with industry leaders.  I couldn’t find any air bubbles in any of the parts.  I did a little test-fitting with some of the RF-84 bits, and they fit just fine.

 The following cockpit sets are available:

RF-84F early cockpit, nose wheel well, and exhaust pipe for the Heller kit 

RF-84F late cockpit, nose wheel well, and exhaust pipe for the Heller kit  

RF-84F Euro cockpit, nose wheel well, and exhaust pipe for the Heller kit

 F-84F early cockpit, nose wheel well & exhaust for the Heller kit

 F-84F late cockpit, nose wheel well & exhaust for the Heller kit

 F-84F Euro cockpit, nose wheel well, and exhaust pipe for the Heller kit

 F-84F early for the Monogram kit, now includes the nose wheel well and exhaust (designed to do away with the seam on the inside)  

F-84F late for the Monogram kit, now includes the nose wheel well and exhaust. 

F-84F Euro cockpit, nose wheel well, and exhaust pipe for the Monogram kit

Also in the works for future release are two different types of 450-gallon drop tank and a new fairing for the lower fuselage. 

These are excellent additions to the Heller and Monogram kits.     

Thanks to Harold Offield for the samples.

 I have no financial relationship with Harold Offield or AMS Resin.

May 2007 

AMS Resin: Harold Offield, 13755 sw 118th ct, Tigard, Or. 97223

 hairold@verizon.net