F-84F restoration

[Clifford Bossie]

Today we finally started a long planned cosmetic restoration to War Eagles F-84F. This has been a learning experience for me as I seem to pick up more about the type every day.

The aircraft had been sitting for several years so the main wheels had to come off and the bearings cleaned out:









The Sled was then towed to one of the hangars for cleaning. Very carefully towed:





Power washing started:



And an afternoon's effort:



There is a very long way to go and a lot of work left, but it was a fun adventure. War Eagles is a good group and a good museum.

[PropsRule]

That's a very interesting wheel assembly. I guess that's how they get the largest possible diameter brake assembly to retract with the gear into a thin fighter wing?

[Dan Jones]

Here's an under-appreciated old warbird that I'd love to see the Collings Foundation add to their flightline. Whatever became of the one that Flight Systems (?) had flying around '79 or '80?

[Sabremech]

I would absolutely love to get one of these old birds airworthy. All we need is a good candidate airframe not owned by the USAF and me convincing the boss he really needs one of these !! I do have a set of Maint manuals, just in case !

David
WHF Maint

[Fouga23]

I always heard the engine wasn't too reliable? Many failures/blow-ups/..

[K5DH]

I would absolutely love to get one of these old birds airworthy. All we need is a good candidate airframe not owned by the USAF

I'll second that, but bump you one... let's make it a straight-winged Thunderjet (F-84E or -G) from the Korean War! Are there any in private hands that aren't still owned by the gummymint?

[Holedigger]

A good number of Thunderjets out there, but most appear to be in the hands of AF Forces!
3 of them in Serbia...that is a puzzler! What is the exchange rate? A deal could be made!
Not seeing ANY that are flyers

[Second Air Force]

I would absolutely love to get one of these old birds airworthy. All we need is a good candidate airframe not owned by the USAF and me convincing the boss he really needs one of these !! I do have a set of Maint manuals, just in case !

David
WHF Maint

I'm still ready to go, David! And my "traveling toolbox" is getting dusty under the workbench......just give the word.

[RickH]

I'd love to see the Collings Foundation add to their flightline.

You guys are trying to kill me !!!!

[Sabremech]

Hey Rick,
I'll let you off the hook as I'd really like this one. I know, I should be hitting myself for saying that. I should be careful for what I wish for !!
David
WHF Maint

[Clifford Bossie]

I would absolutely love to get one of these old birds airworthy. All we need is a good candidate airframe not owned by the USAF and me convincing the boss he really needs one of these !! I do have a set of Maint manuals, just in case !

David
WHF Maint

Maintenance manual, or erection manual maybe?

[Sabremech]

Hi Clifford,
Here's what I have for manuals: Technical Manual, Organizational Maintenance
1] TO 1F-84F-2-1 General Airplane
2] TO 1F-84F-2-2 Ground Handling, Servicing, and Airframe Maintenance
3] TO 1F-84F-2-3 Pneudraulic Systems
4] TO 1F-84F-2-4 Power Plant
5] TO 1F-84F-2-5 Fuel System
6] TO 1F-84F-2-6 Landing Gear
7] TO 1F-84F-2-7 Flight Controls
8] TO 1F-84F-2-8 Instruments
9] TO 1F-84F-2-9 Electrical System
10] TO 1F-84F-2-10 Radio Communication and Navigation Systems
11] TO 1F-84F-2-11 Armament and Armament Electronics
12] TO 1F-84F-2-12 Wiring Data

All of these manuals in two large volumes. I think I could get one of these beauties going with these books. Now all I need is the airplane to go with the manuals !!

David
WHF Maint

A good number of Thunderjets out there, but most appear to be in the hands of AF Forces!
3 of them in Serbia...that is a puzzler! What is the exchange rate? A deal could be made!
Not seeing ANY that are flyers

Not really a puzzler - The Yugoslavian government under Tito received F-84 Thunderjets from the U.S. back in the fifties.

[Clifford Bossie]

Hi Clifford,
Here's what I have for manuals: Technical Manual, Organizational Maintenance
1] TO 1F-84F-2-1 General Airplane
2] TO 1F-84F-2-2 Ground Handling, Servicing, and Airframe Maintenance
3] TO 1F-84F-2-3 Pneudraulic Systems
4] TO 1F-84F-2-4 Power Plant
5] TO 1F-84F-2-5 Fuel System
6] TO 1F-84F-2-6 Landing Gear
7] TO 1F-84F-2-7 Flight Controls
8] TO 1F-84F-2-8 Instruments
9] TO 1F-84F-2-9 Electrical System
10] TO 1F-84F-2-10 Radio Communication and Navigation Systems
11] TO 1F-84F-2-11 Armament and Armament Electronics
12] TO 1F-84F-2-12 Wiring Data

All of these manuals in two large volumes. I think I could get one of these beauties going with these books. Now all I need is the airplane to go with the manuals !!

David
WHF Maint

Holy cow David!

You do just need the airplane.

I would absolutely love to get one of these old birds airworthy. All we need is a good candidate airframe not owned by the USAF

I'll second that, but bump you one... let's make it a straight-winged Thunderjet (F-84E or -G) from the Korean War! Are there any in private hands that aren't still owned by the gummymint?

I would LOVE to see either the straight or swept wing version fly again (My favorite is the swept-wing F-84F Thunderstreak, though), but I know it would be quite an undertaking to make it happen.

I am in support of restoration to flying status of any 1950's era U.S. Jets whenever possible.....I know I am a dreamer.