In fact, the 2007 aircraft had been temporarily transferred to the 50 ° Stormo di Piacenza workshops for restoration.
Born in the 1951 and directly derived from the analogous F-84F (also exhibited at the Museum), in the RF version it presents a series of important modifications, including structural, aimed at making it an aircraft specialized for photographic recognition. The most obvious differences relate to the front, where, in the RF version, the classic air intake of the reactor gives way to a more conventional "nose", expertly profiled, in which, thanks to the presence of special windows, an imposing mass of equipment is housed precision camera, for years the most complete and sophisticated available on board a NATO tactical aircraft. The new air intakes for the reactor, now two on the RF version and shaped with a characteristic triangular shape, have been placed laterally along the fuselage, at the height of the respective wing roots.
The Air Force, with the MDAP program (Mutual Defense Air Program), received a total of 78 RF-84F aircraft which, assigned to the 3 ^ Aerobrigata di Villafranca, were used up to the 1974, although the Department already had the RF-1969 104G "Starfighter". It was the high quality of the aerial photography equipment available to the Thunderflash to determine their long operational life. They were discharged only when the RF-104G aircraft were equipped with aero-photographic systems of comparable or superior quality to that of the Thunderflash.
The exhibited exhibit, MM-27458, is an RF-84F-31RE of the 18 ° Group of the 3 ^ Aerobrigata of Villafranca (Verona).
At the Historical Museum of Vigna di Valle are preserved the most important aircrafts supplied by the Air Force, including those used in the period prior to its foundation. In addition to preserving the historical heritage of which it is the custodian in the best possible conditions, the Museum is preserved. , also carries out important restoration interventions in its area.
Source: AM Historical Museum - Vigna di Valle - t.col. Fabio Ruggieri
