Republic RF-84F Thunderflash
Kit No: 2201-1
Scale: 1/48
Type: Injection Moulded Plastic with canopy mask set
Manufacturer: Tanmodel www.tanmodel.com
The Lens of History
Designed as a development of the F-84F Thunderstreak fighter-bomber, the RF-84F Thunderflash was a dedicated photoreconnaissance aircraft. Outwardly it was very different to its nose-intaked forbear. New wing intakes allowed a dedicated camera nose to be added, with defensive armament moved to the lower intake leading edges. This similarity in configuration to Republic’s later F-105 led to it being nicknamed ‘Thud’s Mother’. It also incorporated advanced features to ease the pilot’s workload such as computerized controls to adjust camera settings for light, speed, and altitude, a periscope to give better view of the target, and a voice recorder to let the pilot save his observations. Used in quantity by the USAF, the Thunderflash also served with several NATO and European air forces for many years. Greece only retired its last examples in 1991.
In the Aeronautica Militare, Thunderflashes equipped units of the 3rd Aerobrigata (Wing). Initially called the 3rd Fighter Wing, in March 1954 they moved from Bari to the Villafranca Air Base at Verona airport in the north of the country. In June 1955 the unit began to receive straight-winged F-84G Thunderjets and then, in December, the first Thunderflashes. By the end of the year it had been re-christened as the 3rd Reconnaissance Wing. The 78 aircraft in service were used until 1970 when they were replaced by RF-104G Starfighters.
Through the Viewfinder
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mustard
BAC's Low Speed Research Vehicle
KOVOZAVODY PROSTEJOV (KP) 1 Was Monty's Triple'
Brian Derbyshire
SPECIAL HOBBY SAAB J-21A Review
From the late 1930s and early 1940s, with thewar in Europe raging around them andedging ever closer to its borders, the Flygvapnet had ordered Seversky P-35A aircraft, alongside Vultee Vanguards, but only sixty of the former and none of the latter were received.
VFR MODELS Beagle B.121 Pup
This is the first 3D printed kit I have come across and it is really rather fine.
Hearts in the sky RIAT RETURNS
After a nearly three-year hiatus RIAT returned to our skies with a hot show in every sense of the word. SAM’s Mike Verier and Ray Ball were there.
Colour Conundrum
A Cancellation Conundrum - The RAF F-111s That Might Have Been Part 1
COPPER CAUDRON Caudron G.Ill in 1/32
Copper State Models have carved a name for themselves in the last few years producing high quality plastic kits of World War One subjects.
Academy RF-8A Crusader Conversion in 1/72
USMC squadron VMCJ-2 used six RF-8As during the Crisis (designation F8U-1P until September 1962), with others held in reserve, two flying out of Guantanamo Bay, and four out of NAS Key West.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
Modelling US reconnaissance assets in 1/72 Part 2: The Nuclear Confrontation
UKRAINIAT striker
The Sukhoi Su-24 is an all-weather attack aircraft capable of supersonic speeds and characterised by its side-by-side pilot/navigator seating and its variable geometry wing.
