Rf84F Serial No. 52 7421

[CaptJackG]

Here is a picture of a RF84F serial no. 52 7421 now located in a museum in Michigan. Next is a picture my brother recently found of our father. I thought you guys might like to see these.

[T_O_A_D]

Pic of your Dad sure saw better days.

So I'm guessing, Did he fly this actual aircraft or one similar?

[PropNut]

Hey Capt Jack, how have you been? Where in Michigan is this aircraft located? Is it in the AirZoo in Kalamazoo, MI by any chance? If so I can stop by there one of these days and get pictures for you if you like. I am down that way for business or visiting my wife's brother more often than I like, lol.

[Snacko]

Wow! Now that is very, very cool Jack!!

Yes, look at the serial number in his Dad's pic Toad. It matches the SN he says that the aircraft is..

Have you been up to see it Jack?

[SkyPup]

Nice, Capt!

[T_O_A_D]

Ah yes I see that now.

That is cool!

Look how fast Google found it.

Third line.

If I search the aircraft instead of the name its the first line, also found these links.

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/219183.html

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?AirframeSN=6802

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6578060&showexif=1

http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5823862&nseq=1

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/jetregistry/f84-527421.html

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/52-7421.html

This one confuses me.

http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1066369/

Plenty more out there too.

Some of those are requesting more info, you should contact them jack with your dads info and pic.

[Snacko]

Thanks for posting that stuff Toad.

I had never heard of the Thunderflash... So, it was a Fighter design after the F-84 that flew in Korea, but was designed for Recon?

(Fairchild Republic) The first of the modern jets to be designed specifically for photo-reconnaissance, the Thunderflash was the first reconnaissance airplane equipped with a combination of standard aerial cameras and dicing camera for close-up photos of individual targets. It was also the first fighter-type aircraft to be equipped with the Tri-Metrogon camera which could take horizon-to-horizon pictures. Unlike the Thunderstreak, the Thunderflash had its air-intake ducts located in the wing roots rather than the nose, which was elongated and enclosed to permit installation of a sweeping variety of camera and electronic equipment. It was the first reconnaissance fighter to have a camera control system and a viewfinder for the pilot, who also acted as the cameraman. The aircraft was first tested in February 1952, and 715 of the aircraft were produced.