RidgeRunner Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Hi all, I am pleased to finally roll out my latest build, in the form of a Republic F-84F-30-RE Thunderstreak. As those who have been patient with me and called by the WIP thread will know, she is depicting one of the earliest F-84Fs of the Aeronautico Militare Italiano (Italian Air Force), serial ‘11795’ of the 156th Gruppo/6th Aerobrigada the “Red Devils”, based at Ghedi AB in northern Italy. The first aircraft were delivered to Italy in 1956 and the Red Devils were the first operator. My subject: Other short finned machines: As I try to do, I wanted to build something different and that difference in this case is that ‘11795’ was a short-finned machine, as were many. Its a fact that isn’t often acknowledged. Apart from the fin these were standard build machines. The only other small visible difference was the fact that the pitot sat on the intake splitter whereas towards the end of production it was moved to the port wing tip. My reason to build this was to try to get a more realistic model from currently available kits. I dismissed the Italeri on shape and detail grounds and so was left with the Airfix F-84F offering to ‘play’ with. To support my quest, and having built a couple, I used the Sword RF-84F kit as a spares source. This already has a nice canopy and windscreen as well as other immediately obvious benefits. As I went along, though, Martin @Lightningboy2000, suggested further butchery in the form of inserting better main gear wheel wells. I took these from the RF too. Another laborious challenge was scribing the whole kit. I did do this with panel lining in mind, but more to get it looking more up to date. This took a while and progress can be seen in the WIP (below). In summary, the changes and tasks to get me to this were as follows: 1. Widened the forward fuselage 2. Scribed all over 3. Shortened the fin 4. Inserted Sword wheel wells etc 5. Improved the nose guns with brass tube and inserted blank plates in to these 6. Improved the cockpit with a selective use of Air Waves PE 7. Added PE brass speed brakes (Thanks Frank @bentwaters81stTFW) 8. Made up and fitted shackles for each pylon and fuel pipes for each belly tank 9. Used a set of Voodoo tanks for the inner wing pylons 10. Added 500kg bombs on the outer pylons (later removed) 11. Made modified 5” HVARs for the outer wing tips from Tamiya F-51D parts 12. Used Sword main gear and wheels, doors, etc 13. Used a resin seat 14. Built up the coaming area using card, rod and electrical wire 15. Improved the nose gear leg 16. Added latches and a mirror to the canopy, and made new struts from rod 17. Improved the rear canopy strut too 18. Improved the dorsal nav light by drilling out a "lamp" within the clear part and then filling than void with metal paint (aluminium). 19. used the windscreen and canopy from the Sword kit 20. Built the RATO cradle and bottles from card, sprue and brass tube (Thanks Rob @Rob de Bie) 21. Thinned the rear glazing I must also acknowledge the help of Giorgio @Giorgio N, who drew new codes and serials as well as cutting the mask for the fin, and Mika at Arctic Decals for tolerating my whims and occasional faux pas and produced excellent roundels and red tridents. I had intended to use the Tauro Models decal sets but I found their roundels to have white that was yellowed, their number and lettering is rough upon examination and their trident and badge is wrong. In fact, the only Tauro decal I used was the Red Devil badge but even that is slightly too large! Giorgio also drew and cut the mask for the fin flash for me. A number of other BMers helped me on the way too. The other addition to the build, and really at the prompting of Frank @bentwaters81tfw, was the build of a RATO cradle and bottles. What she needed, though, was more power for take off! I am indebted to Rob @Rob de Bie for his guidance for this. Finally, thanks for all the encouragement and input from Paolo Maglio of Modelismo Piu. Finally it has to be said that it was also one of those builds that seemed to spur a manufacturer in to producing a new mould kit (or at least I like to think so!). As you will all know, there has been a new release and now it looks like Special Hobby have started work on one :). What else did I do or use? 1. Kit - Airfix F-84F and Sword RF-84F in 1/72, of course! 2. Aftermarket – Airwaves PE and Valom F-101 belly tanks 3. Decals – a mix of Sword RF-84F and Icarus F-84F stencils, Giorgio- and Mika-drawn decals, and a couple of Tauro bits. 4. Paints – overall Humbrol 27002 Polish Aluminium, 27003 Steel and 191 Stainless Steel, Colourcoats Olive Green, Humbrol Insignia Yellow and others here and there. Finished with Humbrol Satincote. Primed with Mr Surfacer 1500 grey. 5. Weathering – no panel lining (my current way) but Flory wash to highlight large gaps and detail, Tamiya Weathering powders and a Prismacolor silver pencil. I hope you like her! Martin 71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Lovely job there Martin, certainly a unique build. As an option the inboard tanks can come from an F-105, or a CH-53. Had a poke around my baby last week, and discovered the JATO mounting brackets under the belly. Very simple brackets. Can't wait for the ground to dry out to get lifting gear under her. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lightningboy2000 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Congratulations on getting to the end of this build! That is a spectacular Thunderstreak! Also nice to know there was some involved teamwork to reach the end. Funny how an epic build like this coincides with one new tool & another in the making. Me thinks they've been secretly watching & gathering info. Too much of a coincidence! Even though I've got a couple half done, I really don't think I'll be finishing them now I've got the new kits. Love the extra details like the pylon shackles and your RATO attachments. Bravo! 👏👏👏 Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 That's another beauty Martin, really a great model. More impressive considering the kit you started from. The work you put into it really paid off though. And of course we all have to thank you for having contributed with yout work to the arrival of a new tool kit of this aircraft (actually two..)! The old law of modelling that someone will launch a new tool kit of a subject just as a modeller is finishing a difficult conversion job has been proven right once again 😂 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Well done mate, a cracking job as usual and well worth the effort. As the other Martin (Lightningboy2000) and Giorgio have said, thanks to you we have a new tool of this neglected subject with another on the way. If that's the result of your efforts can you crack on with that F4U-5 you've been asking about? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantherhawk27263 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Very nicely done!!! That is one beautiful F-84! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpoud117 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Great result and well worth the effort put into it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopesdaddy Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Wow, a lot of effort but an excellent result, beautiful work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisj2003 Posted March 23, 2023 Share Posted March 23, 2023 Loved following the WIP and love the end result. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 That's just beautiful and looks the part from every angle. A wonderful result that deserves the highest praise. Cheers and well modelled.. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giemme Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 I love it, excellent job! very realistic (and properly photographed!) Ciao 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelh Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Great job. It really looks like a newly tooled kit rather than something first issued in 1974. I remember when it was released. I bought one first chance I got, 46 years ago😱 Ah nostalgia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Fantastic job there Martin. Every inch an F-84F, beautifully finished. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Keg Posted March 24, 2023 Share Posted March 24, 2023 Martin…………I`ll use an emoji to best describe your F-84. Outstanding as usual. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted March 25, 2023 Author Share Posted March 25, 2023 @Sky Keg @Terry1954 @noelh @giemme @Rabbit Leader @Chrisj2003 @Hopesdaddy @cpoud117 @Pantherhawk27263 @Wez @Giorgio N @Lightningboy2000 @bentwaters81tfw and all the likers out there, thank you for your kind comments. As with many of my builds, she has taken time but I am very pleased with the end result. I’m glad I didn't throw in the towel, as I had considered, when the Sword was announced. I am, of course, pleased that by building this it appears to have piqued the manufacturers interest enough to produce modern kits of this important type. The reality will have been different by I muse myself in the thought that I helped ;). I now hope that the Tamiya D-model Mustang that I have just started will move the Arma Hobby kit over the line! Martin 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds. Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Great job Martin on what is one of my favourite period planes. I like the idea you have of not over emphasizing panel lines, a subject I question on all my builds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Superb job Martin,just shows what can be achieved with a vintage kit,great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in a shed Posted March 25, 2023 Share Posted March 25, 2023 Lovely job Martin, Love the markings with that trident. The gap under the tanks always makes me twitch when I see it.😬 Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 That is impressive Martin, a beaut job on that collecton of parts. I'm seeing the attraction in a F/RF-84F GB now. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Another stunner my friend! I've been quiet for a while but I always follow your WIPs. You make me like these uncommon schemes ! Great model Best regards ! Ignacio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsaircorp Posted March 26, 2023 Share Posted March 26, 2023 Really fine F-84 Martin !! Congratulations !! CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted March 26, 2023 Author Share Posted March 26, 2023 On 3/25/2023 at 7:42 AM, Head in the clouds. said: Great job Martin on what is one of my favourite period planes. I like the idea you have of not over emphasizing panel lines, a subject I question on all my builds. Thanks mate. My preferred method is to only use washes on movibg sections where the faps are bigger. I do dry brush weathering powders, though. On 3/25/2023 at 1:50 PM, stevej60 said: Superb job Martin,just shows what can be achieved with a vintage kit,great! Thanks Steve. I had doubts and one point but she turned out as I hoped 22 hours ago, Roberto said: Very nice! Thanks Roberto 19 hours ago, Pete in a shed said: Lovely job Martin, Love the markings with that trident. The gap under the tanks always makes me twitch when I see it.😬 Pete Thanks Pete. Yes, it is a fine between working or being a disaster! 14 hours ago, stevehnz said: That is impressive Martin, a beaut job on that collecton of parts. I'm seeing the attraction in a F/RF-84F GB now. Steve. Thanks a lot, Martin. I hope to make use of your decals in the STGB 12 hours ago, Ignacio said: Another stunner my friend! I've been quiet for a while but I always follow your WIPs. You make me like these uncommon schemes ! Great model Best regards ! Ignacio Its great to see you calking by, my friend :). Thank you! 9 hours ago, corsaircorp said: Really fine F-84 Martin !! Congratulations !! CC Thanks a lot, CC Martin 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 1, 2023 Author Share Posted April 1, 2023 Thanks @VG 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted April 1, 2023 Share Posted April 1, 2023 A very nicely done Thunderstreak. One of my favorite airplanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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