The F-84 was Republic’s first venture into jet powered fighters following its very successful P-47 Thunderbolt. Although it was overshadowed as a fighter it was an excellent fighter-bomber and over 2700 F-84Fs were manufactured.

Republic began development of the F-84 in March 1945 and the first prototype flew on 28 February 1946.

The first F-84s with straight wings flew during the Korean war and also with NATO air forces.

A swept wing version was introduced and made its first flight on 3 June 1950.

It’s performance was disappointing but, powered with a US version of the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire engine, it also proved successful.

In addition to those flown by the USAF, over a thousand were supplied to NATO forces in Europe where the last ones were withdrawn from service in 1991.

This model represents a F-84F of the Armee de l’Air, Escadron de Chasse 2/4 at Bremgarten in December 1957.

Italeri 1/72 kit with Carpena decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in April 2010.