Aviation
This category includes models, figurines, dioramas, etc. associated with civil and military aviation.
Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
The Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was a jet fighter-bomber used by several European air forces during the Cold War, including the Belgian Air Force (Force Aérienne Royale Belge at the time). Here is a detailed description of the Belgian F-84F:
- Manufacturer : Republic Aviation (USA)
- Type : Fighter-bomber
- Engines: 1 Wright J65-W-3 turbojet engine (Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire licence)
- Maximum speed: Approximately 1,120 km/h
- Range: Approximately 3,220 km with external tanks
- Armament :
- 6 Browning M3 12.7 mm machine guns
- External loads (bombs, rockets, additional tanks) up to 2,700 kg
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Belgian Air Force received 197 F-84F Thunderstreaks as part of NATO's military aid programme. These aircraft equipped several squadrons, including the 2nd, 10th and 42nd Tactical Wings based at Florennes and Kleine-Brogel.
They were mainly used for ground attack, air interdiction and tactical support missions. As tensions escalated during the Cold War, these aircraft became part of NATO's defensive posture in Western Europe.
The Belgian F-84Fs were gradually replaced from the 1970s onwards by Mirage 5s, which were more modern and better adapted to the requirements of the time. Some of these aircraft have been preserved as collector's items and can still be seen in museums or on display at certain Belgian air bases.
Henschel Hs 123A
A dive-bomber designed in the 1930s, the Henschel Hs 123, although overshadowed by the slightly more modern Stuka, had its moments of glory during the Spanish Civil War and the early campaigns of the Second World War. Less well known is its participation in the Sino-Japanese conflict, and so it is in China's colours that we find it here.
This is the 1:72 Fly kit.