NMUSAF RF-84K Thunderflash Restoration Casualty

[Shay]

Hey Shay, I know those F-84's more than you know man. THey were VERY rough, and bashed around before the museum even had them. Very incomplete. I really don't think a ton could have been done with them. I see one of them every day.

Oh really...........????

Sure looks like as descent Thunderflash to start with to me These pictures show the Flash I saw while it was intact Ser No. 51-1847. The next time I saw it was when i was home on leave and found in the DRMO yards scrap pile along with 2 other airframes (I have pics will post when I find them). I have read that corrosion was the reason it was discarded.

I have no problem using other aircraft as parts sources but they were still useful with what was left. In fact there is WIXer on here that could use a rear fuse. Just seemed wasteful.







versus now: (pictures by Wixer Eric Stevens) (not sure if this 847 but all 3 aircraft were in same general condition in the DRMO yard)







Incidently 51-1847 was a pre-production prototype for the FICON project. Here are some pictures of 847 during the project. IIRC she went to the Greek AF.





Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[PbyCat-Guy]

You know it when you're flying a BIG airplane when the airplane has to take a bow to carry another airplane!

[M MAKI]

Wasn't that the "parasite fighter" project that Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson test piloted?

[BHawthorne]

Hrrrm, wonder if that DRMO scrapping will go up on auction at something like govliquidation. I could really use that tail scraps.

[Chris Brame]

How much of the RF-84F airframe will interchange with the F-84F? Maybe the tail unless it's the FICON variant? And aren't those ex-NMUSAF airframes in civilian hands now? There may be hope yet!

[mustangdriver]

That is a complete different F-84 than I am talking about. I think I am looking at one of the other ones. It is all green, no camo.

[BHawthorne]

How much of the RF-84F airframe will interchange with the F-84F? Maybe the tail unless it's the FICON variant? And aren't those ex-NMUSAF airframes in civilian hands now? There may be hope yet!

The tail will probably work. The wings defintely won't though. i wish I had that microfilm I ordered. NASM takes awhile to send 50 rolls. I have all the F-84F and RF-84F microfilm comming soon for my project.

Last edited by BHawthorne on Mon Feb 09, 2009 11:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mustangdriver]

Wasn't that the "parasite fighter" project that Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson test piloted?

It is, he also tested one joining at the wing as well, but that was with a Culver and a C-47 I think.

[Shay]

That is a complete different F-84 than I am talking about. I think I am looking at one of the other ones. It is all green, no camo.

Maybe the paint faded more over the years. Regardless these aircraft did come out of Wright-Patt's DRMO yard in this condition. What aircraft are you referring to?

Hrrrm, wonder if that DRMO scrapping will go up on auction at something like govliquidation. I could really use that tail scraps.

How much of the RF-84F airframe will interchange with the F-84F? Maybe the tail unless it's the FICON variant? And aren't those ex-NMUSAF airframes in civilian hands now? There may be hope yet!

Yes atleast 2 of the Thunderflashes perhaps all 3 airframes were saved by a gentlemen who lives in Southwest Ohio. Eric Stevens knows where they are. Perhaps if you contact him, he will help.

Regard the tail section shown. I believe it is from a RF-84F and not a FICON variant (no bent tail feathers). So perhaps it will work.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[mustangdriver]

Hey Shay it is all green but was not an RF just an F-84. It is sitting by the Allegheny County Airport in Pittsburgh tucked away where no one can see it. It has been bashed around a good bit, but is all there.

[BHawthorne]

Any leads would be helpful.

[skydaddy61]

Wasn't that the "parasite fighter" project that Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson test piloted?

It is, he also tested one joining at the wing as well, but that was with a Culver and a C-47 I think.

You may be thinking of Project Tom Tom: http://www.air-and-space.com/tomtom.htm

[M MAKI]

The wing tip to wing tip coupling project began with a Culver and and a C-47. It progressed to two F-84's linking up with a B-29! This ended tragically, after many tests, when John Davis' F-84 flipped over and tore off the bomber's wing. Killing him along with the bomber crew. In his book Col. Anderson wrote that John Davis "was a Texan, and one of the neatest guys I ever knew".
The "parasite fighter" project was seperate. They flew a modified F-84 into a gondola that drew the fighter up into the belly of a B-36. Again to quote him "The B-36 (RB-36F, to be technical) was making close to 200 mph, fast enough to give my fighter some maneuvering room over it's stall speed . I approached from astern and below, avoiding the turbulence left in the wake of the bomber. I could feel the vibration set up by those churning propellers, and hear the noise of those ten engines over my own. It was intimidating as h3ll until you got used to it".

[ww2John]

A few summers back I mentioned the wing tip to wing tip testing Col Anderdson flew in a conversation with him...he made quite a face, but made no comment. The picture was worth a thousand words (but I did not use my camera).