Kinetic F-84F Thunderstreak 1:48 – build review

Full Review with Geoff Coughlin
Conclusion, Gallery and PDF Download

I have always loved the look of the F-84F Thunderstreak, ever since building the Airfix 1:72 scale kit when it was released the first time around! I mean, just look at those lines…

(Photo: Republic F-84F Thunderstreak at Flugausstellung Hermeskeil, 2021. Credit Andrew Dawes)

What’s the plan?

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VIDEO DEMO

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The kit is quite nice, although the panel lines are a bit heavy and at least recessed. The main issue seems to be the shape of the nose intake, being a bit too oval in shape, rather than the actual, slightly squarer shape.

A replacement resin nose is available from Aires in their Quickboost range and I got mine from 1001 Hobbies. The only other additions I am planning are to include a pre-painted etched set from Eduard to enhance the cockpit and that’s it really. The F-84 looks great with the canopy open or closed and so I may go for the open option, just so that cockpit detail can be seen, but we’ll see when we get to that stage.

Reference

The internet has plenty of decent images that show some great variations in look, such as yellow belly tanks and other variations that can be added. Here’s one from Wikipedia showing the F-84F Thunderstreak cockpit…

(Photo: Credit Fotoafdrukken Koninklijke Luchtmacht)

…and that actual nose intake shape…

(Photo: F-84F seen at Airforce Museum of the Bundeswehr; Berlin-Gatow. Credit Rosario Van Tulpe)

Construction…