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The Illinois ANG 169th Squadron “Peoria Chiefs”. This will be my second Illinois A.N.G. F-84F. The 1st was the example of the 182nd TFS from the Monogram Revell classic build a couple of years ago. Though not my exact aircraft but to give you an idea as to what I am going for. 169th TFS F-84F 51-9414 After returning to Peoria. https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:169th_Tactical_Fighter_Squadron_General_Motors_F-84F-30-GK_Thunderstreak_51-9414.jpg#mw-jump-to-license A brief bit of history my apologies as this is as short as I can get it while still making sense abiut the ins and outs of the A.N.G. Of the 1950’s and 1960’s. Cold War: The 169th returned to flying the Mustang, receiving the very-long distance F-51H which was designed as an escort fighter for B-29s in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1954 the 169th FBS obtained the copyright for The Chief, a Walt Disney cartoon character, to display as their emblem. The obsolete Mustangs were retired in 1956 and for two years, the squadron flew T-6G Texan trainers. In 1958, the squadron received its first F-84F Thunderstreak, and began a tactical fighter mission in the late 1950s. On 1 July 1961, the parent 125th Wing's mission was changed to an air refueling one and the squadron was assigned the KC-97 Stratofreighter aircraft. The 169th flew the first Air National Guard air-to-air refueling mission in 1961. On 1 October 1961, as a result of the 1961 Berlin Crisis, the 169th was again mobilized and assigned to the Missouri ANG 131st Tactical Fighter Wing, and again equipped with F-84F Thunderstreak tactical fighters. Due to budget shortfalls, the squadron physically remained at Peoria while the 131st TFW and its 110th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Toul-Rosières Air Base, France as the USAFE 7131st Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional). “The mobilized Missouri Air National Guard 131st Tactical Fighter Wing deployed to Toul-Rosières Air Base, France as the 7131st Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional). When activated as the 7131st TFW, it consisted of the 110, 169 and 170 TFS, from Lambert Field, St. Louis MO, Peoria Municipal Airport, Peoria IL, and Capitol Airport, Springfield IL, respectively.” During the next year, elements of the 169th were rotated from Peoria to Toul Air Base as needed. While in France, the Guardsmen assumed regular commitments on a training basis with the U.S. 7th Army as well as maintaining a 24-hour alert status. The 7131st exchanged both air and ground crews with the Royal Danish Air Force's 730th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Skydstrup Air Station, Denmark, during May 1962. As the Berlin situation subsided, all activated ANG units were ordered to be returned to the United States and released from active duty. The 7131st TFW was inactivated in place in France on 19 July 1962 leaving its aircraft and equipment to USAFE. Upon its return to Illinois State Control, the Illinois Air National Guard authorized the 169th Tactical Fighter Squadron to expand to a group level, and the 182d Tactical Fighter Group was established by the National Guard Bureau on 15 October 1962. The 169th TFS became the group's flying squadron. Other squadrons assigned into the group were the 182d Headquarters, 182d Material Squadron (Maintenance), 182d Combat Support Squadron, and the 182d USAF Dispensary. I will be using the 1/72 Airfix F-84F Thunderstreak kit. I will post photo’s of the sprue’s later. 🛑🛑Anyone can help me with 🛑🛑decals I would be quite grateful as Id like to get two of the “Chiefs” decals made up ? Dennis