1/48 Monogram Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

[texgunner]

Maybe it’s my age, well, I was born in 1952 after all, but I really
like the jets from the ’50s. To me, they just look like a jet fighter
is supposed to. It seems that to aircraft designers back then, there
was no limit to their imagination. Some of the most beautiful
fighters(the Hawker Hunter comes to mind!) were born then and no
computer calculations determined that. For many it seems that if it
looked “right” then it was! At any rate, I’ve really been on a ’50s run
lately. Buying and working(not finishing so many tho’) on a lot of
planes from that era.

This build was finished last June. It’s another of the “good”
Monogram kits I think. It’s possible to make a real nice model out of
this old bird. I originally bought this kit back in the late 1980s(!)
and it sat in the stash for years. When I did finally get around to
building it, I tried an experiment of sorts. I primed the bottom side
in a dark gray, and then sprayed the light gray over that. Then, I
gently sanded away the lighter color over the raised panel lines. It
turned out pretty much as I wanted, but the pics I’ve taken show it to
be much dirtier that I’d like. Oh well, that’s how it goes with
builders of “four-footers” such as myself. I really like the looks of
the Thunderstreak and yes, I do know about it’s shortcomings as a
service aircraft. Still, it’s a sleek, swept-wing beauty to me and I
love how it looks parked with it’s 1950′s peers.  Members at FSM forums

may remember seeing her posted on that site as well.

The kit dates back to 1984 and its detail must’ve been somewhat state
of the art back then. I have seen examples on the web that are really
outstanding. I finished mine in the three color camo seen on these
birds near the end of their use. This one represents an aircraft of the
Texas Air Guard. I used Humbrol 116 enamel for the darker green,
Humbrol 117 for the lighter green, Model Master Tan for the third color.
The underside was done in Model Master camo gray. All of the upper
colors were lightened with Humbrol satin white to get a faded look.
The decals are a combination of aftermarket and kit choices. The seat
harnesses are from an Eduard set for an F-104 if I recall correctly. I
figured close enough for government work! The characteristic insulation
around the canopy framing is EZ Mask vinyl stripes and I used EZ Masks
to paint the canopy too. The canopy support arms gave no end of trouble
and I redid them several times, finally achieving the most tenuous
attachment to the canopy. The arms should be more vertical but damn, I
was just tired of fooling with it and left it as is. We’ll just say the
hydraulics are leaking a bit, lol.

The model has many flaws, as do most of mine I guess. But, it is
finished and I love seeing it in my “gallery” of 1950′s planes. As
usual, I photographed her at the little Cameron airport. So, with some
trepidation, I’ll show my Republic F-84F Thunderstreak. Thanks for
taking a look at her!

Gary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[StreetFightingMan]

I remember seeing this on SPAR, great work! I like the second-to-last photo a lot.

[Jamme]

Hi Gary.

Good to see you here.

Together when can make B-52 (I'm from 1952 too..)

Nice job and pictures as always.

congrats,

Jamme

[rkranias]

good to see you here Gary.  always enjoy seeing your beautiful builds.

[texgunner]

Thanks Mike, Jamme and Rick for your kind words!  I'm a bit embarrassed if I had posted this one on the SPAR forums too.  I thought I had missed this one, but memory might fail anytime, lol.  Now, I can't remember just what was posted before the crash.  Anyway, sorry for the re-pop;  I'll have my recently completed MiG-17 out at the airport before long and will post something new then!  Thanks again!

Gary

 

 here's a peek at the Fresco, taken inside a week or so ago:

 

[CallSignOWL]

lovely as usual

[texgunner]

Hey, thanks a lot Ms.Owl.  I sure appreciate that.

Gary

[wemattson]

Texgunner,

 

Glad to see you back with your awesome models and great photography.

 

Cheers,

Wayne

[texgunner]

Texgunner,

 

Glad to see you back with your awesome models and great photography.

 

Cheers,

Wayne

Thanks Wayne!  I appreciate the welcome.  It feels like the old place already doesn't it?   Very cool place.

Gary