A small compound near the Port of Mesolongi on the Peloponnesos held five aircraft, one of them this F-84F 52-6914. The collection moved to the airport of Mesolongi in February 2011.

Eyecatcher at the entrance of the former location of the Military Aviation Museum was this beautifully restored F-84F P-226 in the colours of 314 squadron.

The real 53-6634 crashed on 1956-07-16 with pilot safely ejected. This airframe was built up by merging the front fuselage from 53-6646 50-30 (wfu 1970-07-08) and possibly the tail from 53-6637 50-10 (wfu 1970-08-10). It was initially displayed in Vedelago as 51-30, then as 51-37. It was transferred to the Museum of Cerasolo close to Rimini, where it was restored and saw in 1994 painted as fake 5-36591 with "Getti Tonanti" livery. Same fake serial and livery is on the F-84F 53-6988 at Rivolto. Many thanks to Daniele Mattiuzzo of VMAS (Veneto Military Aviation Society) for the precious information.

Author unknown. Serial and unit codes fake because Italian F-84Fs were registered with serials in the range 51- / 53-. This aircraft was built up by merging the front part from MM 53-6659, coded 8-39 and withdrawn from use on 1970-04-13, and the rear part (or at least the tail) from an RF-84F Thunderflash, MM 52-7339 coded 3-03. This second aircraft was really assigned to 3rd Aerobrigata and the first one to 101° Gruppo / 8° Stormo (distinctive red flash). At the time of this photo the aircraft was preserved in front of Hotel Gallo, along the SP10 road, just out of Marcaria village.

Delivered in 1956 to the Italian Air Force, it operated with the 3rd Aerobrigata, that was the former 3° Stormo. Sources quote that this was the last Thunderflash that made a flight in Italy before being withdrawn from use. It was initialli preserved at Ghedi AB; then for some years in Bresso (Milano), where it was nicely restored; finally at Cameri AB.

Photo courtesy of Marcel Coekaerts (Belgium). Thundersteak built for USAF as s/n 52-6378 then transferred to Belgian AF in April 1958. It wore units' codes 8S-V and 8S-P Withdrawn from use on 1965-09-16 was then modified as a decoy to look like a Mirage.

Photo courtesy of Marcel Coekaerts. Thunderstreak built with s/n 53-6791 and transferred to Belgian AF in September 1956. It wore unit code 8S-Y and was withdrawn from use in February 1971. Then modified as a decoy to look like a Mirage and destroyed for firefighting drill.

Once preserved on Airport roof terrace. This Airframe was built and delivered to USAF with s/n 51-1733, operated by 401 FBG and 366 FBW , then transferred to Luftwaffe on march 1959. Previously coded in Germany as DE-255, DE-378, DE-126 and DE-374.

August 1953 and kids are allowed to climb on this F-84C. The Boston Daily Globe of 8 August 1953 does not confirm there was an airshow, but does carry an article on the 102nd Fighter Interceptor Wing of the Massachusetts ANG, with a photo showing probably the same F-84. The unit had been 'stripped of jets' three years earlier, because these 'early model jets were lacking in performance' and 'difficult to service, too'. Wikipedia says the wing flew F-84Bs and then Mustangs again until they were replaced by the F-94 Starfire in 1954. Photo by: Edmund Mitchell / Boston Public Library

Owned by KLu Museum.

Painted in US Air Force Thunderbirds markings. This was the only civilian registered F-84F. Arrived at MASDC from the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, Luke AFB, AZ on 31 Oct 1963. At some point sold as N84JW. Repossessed by the USAF. On display at Air Park, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, marked as 52-6974 by Jun 1995. Still believed there in 2023.

Arrival at MASDC Davis Monthan for storage.

Preserved at Selfridge ANGB from 1977.

Slide was taken by Jack Friell and part of my collection.

Later became an instructional airframe near Reek, Netherlands, falsely painted as P-312.

Taken during an early evening visit to the museum. This aircraft had been with the 173rd TRS - 155th TRG Nebraska ANG when it arrived at MASDC for storage on 20 Nov 1970. Later transferred over to the Museum.