The RNLAF F-86F Thunderstreak
This article is part of a series:
- My first post, the RNLAF (KLU) F-104G Starfighter
- Here’s another one. The F84G Thunderjet.
- A 3rd RNLAF fighter I want to show you.
- The RNLAF Northrop NF-5A Freedom Fighter
- The North American F-86K(aasjager) of the RNLAF (1956-1964)
- RNLAF Spitfire Mk. IX 1/48
- RNLAF Noorduyn AT-16 Harvard IIB
- The Fokker D.XXI of LVA
- The RNLAF F-86F Thunderstreak
- F-16A MLU RNLAF 322nd Squadron "Polly Grey" 60th anniversary 2003
- Brewster B-339 of ML-KNIL Ve Vliegtuiggroep 2e Afdeling (Tamiya 61094 1/48)
Hi all,
Here's my rendition of the RNLAF F-84F Thunderstreak. Hope you like it.
The kit is K48068 from Kinetic.
As it is a straightforward OOB build the shape of the air intake is not 100% correct. I know there's an aftermarket solution for this, but to be honest I do not care that much.
However there's another glitch in the model that I do care about (a bit) and that's the missing registration number on the tail.
That's because I messed up the decal when removing some masking tape from the tail.
I was in the assumption that I already protected the decal under a layer of Future but apparently I didn't, so it came off together with the tape. Grrrr …
Below a bit of history on the Streak in RNLAF service (with the help of ChatGPT)
The Thunderstreak was an American-built jet fighter-bomber aircraft that served with the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) during the Cold War.
In the late 1940s, the Netherlands began exploring the acquisition of jet-powered aircraft to modernize its air force. The F-84 Thunderjet, manufactured by Republic Aviation, was selected as the primary jet fighter-bomber for the RNLAF. Subsequently, the improved variant of the Thunderjet, known as the F-84F Thunderstreak, was chosen as the replacement for the earlier model.
The Thunderstreak had several design enhancements over its predecessor, including a swept-wing configuration for improved performance at high speeds. The RNLAF received its first F-84F Thunderstreaks in 1955, and the aircraft became a vital component of the Dutch Air Force's tactical strike capability.
Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, the Thunderstreaks formed the backbone of the RNLAF's fighter-bomber fleet. They were deployed in various roles, including ground attack, interdiction, and close air support. The Thunderstreaks also participated in NATO exercises and contributed to the collective defense of Western Europe during the Cold War.
As military aviation technology advanced, the Thunderstreak gradually became outdated. In the late 1960s, the RNLAF began replacing its Thunderstreaks with more modern aircraft, such as the F-104 Starfighter. The retirement process for the Thunderstreaks lasted until the early 1970s, and the aircraft was eventually phased out of service in the Netherlands.
A wonderful result, Alfred! I have faced similar situations with the decal pulled off by masking tape, so I try to avoid putting masking rape on them (but it is not always feasible).
Thanks for the great historical facts, the Thunderstreak is an iconic figure of the past.
Nice work, Alfred.
This Thunderstreak looks amazing, Alfred @alfred
It looks very nice with the canopy in open position, not the easiest position to mount a canopy like that.
Wonderful job on the F-84. I have a couple of the early releases of this kit and the surface texture is somewhat rough, a fine pebbly texture. Did you find this to be true with your kit? There are some really interesting schemes for this plane. You have chosen a really eye catching one. Congrats.
Thank you @mclents !
The surface is indeed a bit rough, but it’s hardly to be seen without a magnifying glass. Anyway, I didn’t see a reason to sand the whole thing down and run the risk of losing some very small (rivet) details.
Several of the schemes I like are NMF so I’ll probably have to sand some. We’ll see. Thanks for the response.
Thanks for your kind words, guys!
@fiveten @tcinla @johnb
A lovely design typifying the early jets, looks great in this livery. P.S. Never put masking tape on transfers (decals in American English).
Many thanks, George! @chinesegeorge
I learned my lesson, that’s for sure!
Looks great, Alfred!
Thanks John. @j-healy
A beautiful Thunderstreak. Man, that's a lotta gas that thing is hauling!
Thanks Greg! @gkittinger
4 auxiliary tanks seem a bit “over the top”, but I think it looks kinda cool though.
I understand that in some rare occasions Streaks were actually fitted with this unusual payload.
Nicely done !
Thanks Robert! @roofrat