One
of the most important combat aircraft to see action in Korea was the straight
winged F84 E/G. Its Republic design dating back to the rugged P-47 Thunderbolt
of WWII. Most of its wartime missions were in the bomber role, even though
initially it was tasked to escort B-29’s, but as with all aircraft except the
Sabre, it could not match up to the Mig-15. Although in the end 10 MIG's fell to
the Thunderjets guns from pilots Bergtram, Slaughter, Kratt, Oligher, Underwood,
Skeen, Fortner, Schirra, Cooley, Hewett and Mitchell.
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The
F-84 replaced both the F-51 and F-80 as the premier Air Force ground attack
aircraft of the war. Most Thunderjets were of the “E” variant, however
because of the weak clear canopy, a switch over to the “ribbed” canopy was
made so it would not shatter, thus “E” types were misidentified as a
“G” type that were originally equipped with the “ribbed” canopies.
Also
another distinction was the first air refueling of combat loaded fighters
on 29 May 1951 when 12 “E” types from the 116th FBW refueled from
a KB-29 tanker of the 91st ARS. Thunderjet units consisted of the 27th
FEW, 49th FBG, 58th FBW, 116th FBW, 136th
FBG and the 474th FBG. Typical targets were rail cuts,
buildings, vehicles, bridges, tunnels, locomotives, rail cars, tanks,
highway cuts, artillery pieces and troops. The F-84E and G flew
86,400 sorties delivering 55,897 tons of bombs, losing 122 Thunderjets to ground
fire.
This
is Revell’s 1/48th “E” model is FS-478-A, “LIL BUTCH”, from the 49th
FBG and Tamiya’s 1/48th “G” model is FS-454, “Four Queens”, of
the 474th FBG. Both company’s models work up to very fine versions of
the F84, I will not debate the merits of each, you can find that in other
articles. Should be noted the “E” version was slightly longer between the
tail and the wings than the “G” version and Revell’s model is slightly
longer. Revell did include a refueling probe on the wing tank, however I
could not find any proof of one for this particular aircraft, (see picture on
p117 of F-84 Thunderjet units over Korea) therefore I cut it off and sanded it
flush.
References:
Osprey Front Line Colour #3, F-84 Thunderjet Units Over Korea, Squadron/Signal
Publications MIG Alley, Warbirds Illustrated #11 Air War Over Korea and Jordan
Publishing’s WEB site “UN Aircraft”.
Mark L. Rossmann
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