In June 1955, the production line of the RF-84F-20-RE was equipped with a Wright J65-W-7 jet. Deliveries of the RF-84F Thunderflash began in March 1954, initially to the 363RD TRW at Shaw AFB in North Carolina.  More than 715 RF-84Fs were delivered from Farmingdale until January 1958.  The United States quickly re-equipped more than 12 Squadrons with the new RF-101, and NATO countries also received and operated this type.  We find the RF-84F on the apron of the West German, Belgian, Italian, Danish, Norwegian, Turkish, Greek Air Forces. France also received this version, put in service with the « 33 » Wing, Belfort,  Moselle, and Savoie squadrons.   

The Kit

After his superb 1/72 scale F-84F, the famous craftsman from Belgium come back this time with the recon version of this elegant ’50 jet.  As always, the quality is at the rendez vous. 

If a lot of parts are common with the first box, the main differences are also evident at first glance, with the new nose and the intakes on the wings.  But the other differences are depicted too - the wider wings, two typical different ejection seats, the forward gear bay, the dashboard (with the special scope), and the fences on the upper wings.

Assembly starts with the canopy and the choice of the seats, the instrument panel and the control stick. The L/R consoles are molded on the internal fuselages(you’ll need to  add hooks for the closing canopy system, according to the Squadron in action drawings ), Everything is closed there with the exhaust at the rear.

The front area containing cameras and gear is a four part assembly with upper/under nose section (transparent lower part will be polish before painted in black ), transparent tip nose , and internal bay.  Even if nothing is really seen through at this scale, one eventually will be able to simulate the lens cameras with small scale cars lenses from accessories range. 

The wings and the air intakes match with precision thanks to guides on the fuselage.  The last big work deal with the rudder and the stabilisators, leaving the other little bits, gears, open airbrakes with excellent P/E details, and fuels tanks for last stage assembly as usual, avoiding breaking parts. 

Four marking options are included. The choice is interesting with European machines, Norwegian, Danish, and  France (1/33 Belfort) in bare natural metal, and a Belgian machine in SEA camo (the L/R/Upper camo pattern is on the notice with the usual range of painting crossing guide references). Nothing to say about them really, except good register and well aligned.

In summary, here again is a 10 out of 10 rating for this excellent model designed by PJ Production. You can now forget the other models available in this scale from any manufacturers!