F84G Thunderjet
Tamiya 1/48th F84G Thunderjet.
Eagle strike decal set number 48143
The aircraft was a F84G of the 310th fighter bomber squadron,
58th fighter bomber wing,
Korea 1952.
I painted the model with various shades of Alclad 11 & Aeromaster acrylics
The Tow tractor is a Clark CT46 from KMC.
I purchased this Tamiya F84 from Modeltoys at North End Portsmouth (UK) on the day the shop closed, it was the last model I ever bought from Modeltoys. The owner Mike, had decided to retire. I had been buying kits from Mike for many a year. My mother first took me there, once a week in the 60's, to buy a kit on a Saturday. Some evenings, I would walk to his shop just to look in the shop window. Years later, I would take my son there to buy kits. Mike Silk and his partner, Dick Ward produced the Modeldecal range of 1/72nd aircraft decals. I believe there were over 120 different sheets spanning over 20 years. Each sheet contained several different subjects, with black and white photos. Not only was Mike a gentlemen, but he was also a first class modeller. I can remember seeing his display cabinet at his shop with some beautiful models of Bae Hawks, decorated with decals from the Modeldecal range. He was without doubt, a very knowledgeable man when it came to aviation and models, with a great passion for his hobby. When buying a kit, he could tell you all the correct colour paints you needed. He was a walking encyclopaedia when it came to aircraft and models. Even today, I see Modeldecal sheets for sale at model shows, and modellers requesting particular sets on model forums.
When Mike retired, he attended our local IPMS Branch in the Portsmouth area. We got to see more of his superb models. Not only that, but I soon got to realise what a dry sense of humour the man had. Mike passed in 2006.
Julian, this is a wonderful looking model, a great scheme, yes, I like it a lot. Well done !
I also enjoyed your write up on this, also well done !
Thank you Terry. Glad you like it.
Terrific story and even better build, Julian. Beautifully done with lovely presentation.
Many thanks David.
Very nice looking F84G, Julian, and, of course, your presentation, together with the two tractor, really bring out the best of the model. The story about Modeltoys is also interesting, sadly, very few local model shops survive today. I have fond memories of going to the original Hannants shop in Lowestoft when I was young.
Thank you George. I bought the tractor from Hannants in London. I've never been to the Lowestoft shop.
I just wanted to add that this Thunderjet and Tomas' Mig 15 (posted very recently) make a great pair.
I've just looked at the Mig 15. Absolutely superb.
Fabulous looking build and presentation, my friend...top-notch work all around.
Hello Craig, thank you sir.
Very nice work.
Many thanks Tom, much appreciated.
Excellent work Julian. I too have fond memories of going to the local hobby store when I was a kid. Sadly it closed in the late 1970's... My Dad had a childhood friend who flew F-84's in Korea. His name was Michael Rebo and he was shot down and reported as MIA. Just recently his remains were repatriated to his hometown in Pennsylvania after they contacted his family for a DNA sample. Ironically Michael was shot down by a Russian pilot flying a Mig-15.
I now have both planes (Mig-15 and F-84) to build in 1/48 scale, and have located decals for them as well, so I can build these in the near future. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
Hello Louis, thank you. I'm lucky enough to still have a very good model shop not to far from me called the Waterlooville Model Centre.
That's a great story about your Dad's friend. Good luck with the duel builds of both aircraft, I'll look forward to seeing them.
Hi Julian, having lived in various places in Hampshire for most of my adult life before moving to China (I lived in Deanmead for a couple of years) I'm familiar with Waterlooville, it must be a fairly new shop. I remember there was a pretty good shop in Cosham, but I can't remember the name. You're lucky and I hope you suppot your local shop. The nearest one for me is in Beijing, about a thousand miles away...
Hi George, the shop was at waterlooville, but as now relocated to Portsmouth keeping the same name. The shop at Cosham was called Haywards. I remember riding my bike up there from Stamshaw to get the then new 1/32nd scale Spitfire from Revell. If memory serves me right, it was 15 shillings.
Or was it 17/6?
Hello Julian,
Job well done.
Thanks for sharing your expertise and pictures with us.
Regards, Dirk
Thank you Dirk, I'm pleased you like it.
Very sharp Thunderjet Julian!
Thank you Greg.
Beautiful!
Thank you Jeff.