F/RF-84G Thunderjet

Hi Decal Line

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Hi Decal's 1/48 scale F/RF-84 Decal Sheet is available online from Squadron

This is a new sheet from Hi-Decal and it provides markings for Thunderjets, three of them RF-84Gs and one an F-84G. 

If you want to add an F-84 to collection but are scared to tackle a natural metal finish then this sheet might be your answer as two of the options are in camouflage finish. 

First aircraft is an RF-84G of the Reconnaissance Flight, 729th Squadron, Royal Danish Air Force from Karup Air Force Base in 1955.  Finish is quoted as dark green/dark grey upper surfaces with PRU blue under surfaces and emerald green Fletcher tip tanks.  Markings consist of: 

• Danish red and white national insignia in six places with the Danish flag for the fin.

• Tip tank markings consisting of a black square with a lightning bolt.  The lightning bolt is clear so it will show up as green when you apply it.

• Black KA – C squadron codes.

Next is another Royal Danish Air Force RF-84G also from Karup Air Force Base, this time from 1957.  The camouflage has gone and it is in natural metal finish with a polished steel intake and exhaust.  The lower part of the rear fuselage is in matt aluminium paint.  Detail painting includes an olive drab anti-glare panel which covers the entire top of the fuselage (as seen on USAF F-84s) and a grey fin tip.  Emerald green Fletcher tip tanks are fitted. 

Markings are the same as the first machine except that the squadron code is KA-D, the rudder has a black sunburst, and there is a squadron insignia on the side of the fuselage. 

The third aircraft is an RF-84G of the 88th Air Regiment, Yugoslav Air Force, based at Batajanica Air Base in 1962.  Another camouflaged aircraft this time in dark sea grey with dark green splotches on the upper surfaces over PRU blue lower surfaces.  Normal tip tanks are worn and these too are camouflaged as per the airframe.  Markings consist of:

• National insignia in four places plus the fin.  The national insignia are two-part decals with the yellow bordered red star being placed over the top of the blue and white wing cockades and the blue, white and red fin markings.

• Black 571 aircraft number for the nose and black 10571 for the top of the fin.

The last option is the R-84G belonging to the Imperial Iranian Air Force.  The markings depict it in 1960 when it was based at Mehrabad Air Force Base.  Finish is as per the second Royal Danish Air Force Machine and the markings consist of: 

• National insignia in four places plus the fin.  As per the previous machine, the national insignia is in two parts with the red centre being placed over the green and white cockade.

• I.I. AIR FORCE titles for the nose.

• A blue stripe for the fin and rudder.

• Large black IIAF titles for the wings.

No credit is given as to which company printed the decals.  The quality of the printing is such that it could have been Microscale but my bet is Propagteam.  The register is perfect and the squadron insignia for the second Royal Danish Air Force option is a true work of art. 

Decal placement is guided by an A-4 sized sheet that has black and white line drawings of each option with the camouflaged machines getting both left and right hand side profiles.  The colour of each machine is shown by different shades of grey keyed to a grid showing each colour.  Thankfully, Hi-Decal has also keyed it with letters in case you get confused.  The key also names each paint and gives an FS 595 equivalent as well as matches to both Humbrol and Model Master paint. 

The suggested kits are the Tamiya and Pro-Modeller/Revell ones.  Be aware that you will have to modify these kits to produce an accurate RF-84 (you didn't think it was going to be that easy did you!).  Hi-decal suggest that you obtain the Fletcher tip tanks from Model Art or Impact or by modifying ones available in T-33 kits.  The addition of under fuselage cameras is also required.  Hi-Decal has supplies a small sheet with scale drawings of the required modifications to help you. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The decals, conversion guide and the decal placement guide come packed in a thin, clear plastic bag that is stapled to a cardboard header. 

You can make three aircraft using the decals provided on the sheet.  The two Royal Danish Air Force machines share the national insignia. 

This is a good quality product from Hi-Decal. 

Recommended.

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
Page Created 04 June, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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