F84-F Thunderstreak research

Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:19 pm

Does anyone on Wix know of any F84-F Thunderstreaks in private hands that would make a good candidate for restoration to airworthy? This is just for my research as to what may be out there.
Thanks,
David

Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:29 am

I'll try to make a couple of inquiries next week.

Scott

Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:12 am

How's that F model doing that Cavanaugh bought from the OFM?

Last edited by Curtis Block on Mon Nov 24, 2008 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:23 am

Mine definitely is in no shape for restoration to flight. Too much of the fuselage is missing from it. Would be interesting to find a tail and wings for mine though. Let me know how your hunt goes though because I'm looking for a few parts. IMHO, the only thing out there left is stuck up on posts.

Anyone know if the Mercer Field F-84F is privately owned or is that on loan?

BTW: The NASM microfilm for the F-84F:

Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:40 pm

Two that I know of are: 1) Wings over the Rockies museum, and 2) Wyoming ANG has one as a gate guard in Cheyenne.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:19 pm

I picked up this forward fueslage a while back. It was split at the fueslage break and is fairly complete. It looks as if the engine was pulled out and everything else was left in. It had been used as a fire prop, but was never burned. The structure is strait,but some reskinning definitely needs to be done. I plan on looking for a rear fueslage and wings but haven't had the chance.

http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p294 ... 0fuselage/

Fri Nov 21, 2008 4:55 pm

Wow Jim, that's pretty amazing. Is the cockpit gutted?

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:01 pm

The cockpit is fairley complete minus instrument panel.

Fri Nov 21, 2008 5:09 pm

jbloomer2 wrote:I picked up this forward fueslage a while back. It was split at the fueslage break and is fairly complete. It looks as if the engine was pulled out and everything else was left in. It had been used as a fire prop, but was never burned. The structure is strait,but some reskinning definitely needs to be done. I plan on looking for a rear fueslage and wings but haven't had the chance.

http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p294 ... 0fuselage/

Snap a few detail pics of the cockpit so I can see what you need. If you want any measurements my cockpit is complete. I just wish I had that nose gear and nose gear doors. Mine is missing it. I'm in the process of measuring and making a CAD DXF of the instrument panel. I could send you a copy of the file once I'm done. I also know where there is a canopy someone is trying to sell.

MIP Pics:

Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:57 pm

I was down at the Oakland museum last year. IIRC the RF-84 was available for acquisition from the museum.

One catch though.

It's still property of the military. Navy I think.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:30 am

I'm in the process of measuring and making a CAD DXF of the instrument panel. I could send you a copy of the file once I'm done. I also know where there is a canopy someone is trying to sell.

Bhawthorn,

I am interested in the canopy and the CAD file. Also, I will keep you in mind on the landing gear.

A little more history on this fuselage. It is serial number 52-7006 which makes it a -55RE. Prior to purchasing it from the city, I contacted the Air Force at the Historical Research Agency at Maxwell AFB and received a letter stating that it was taken off of their inventory in December 1961 and that they have no ownership position. I also checked AMARC's records and it does not show up there. I currently have a letter from the City where I purchased it stating how they acquired it and how it now belongs to me and I also have a bill of sale. So I feel pretty good about my ownership position. While there are many F-84F's still out there, virtually all still belong to the Air Force, only a few are in private hands.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:49 am

Yep, most of them are on loan. Interesting to see another person with a simular situation as mine. Is yours the one the City of Mesa sold awhile back?

Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:07 pm

There is or was one in a county or city park/playground in the Roswell NM area between Carlsbad caverns and Roswell. Not sure of it's current condition, externally it was pretty complete. The tires were flat and the paint was shot when I saw it 10 years ago.

Tim

Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:32 pm

Is yours the one the City of Mesa sold awhile back?

Yes, mine came form the city of Mesa. It was only a couple of days away from being chopped up and thrown into a dumpster. As it was, it had been pushed over and the skin poked in several places. Nothing that can't be fixed. I was able to get it to City Purchasing's attention were they agreed it had a monetary and historical value so they advertised it for sale and sold it by sealed bid.

Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:43 pm

Check out this thread - might be a dead end, but you never know...

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... 7&start=15

There are some junked F-84Fs in Europe (Italy?) but there's probably a lot of red tape involved.

There was another thread here about an F-84F at a vo-tech school that was scrapped recently - haven't found it yet.