Thunderflash Belgian Air Force

In June 1955 the Belgians received 24 (plus in 1963 another 6 ex ANG and in 1965 another 4 ex Luftwaffe) Thunderflashes, to replace the camera-equipped Thunderjets of the 42 recce squadron at Bierset. The last Thunderflash was withdrawn in 1971 when the squadron re-equipped with the Mirage 5BR. The surviving Thunderflashes were all flown to the aircraft depot in Koksijde where they were subsequently scrapped; a few survived at the Technical School at Saffraanberg and some were placed as monuments.

The early colour-scheme was bare metal with H8 squadron codes on the nose and the FR- regi. on the tail (only FR-1 to FR-24; codes were H8-A to H8-Y); later a green/grey camouflage was applied with the H8 code, which was again later replaced by a figure on the nose; and then in 1967 a Vietnam style camouflage was applied, with the small FR serials on the tail and the nose.

Interesting to get more information on the Belgian Thunderflashes is http://belmilac.wetpaint.com/page/Republic+RF-84F+Thunderflash.

Below is selection of our photos (click thumbnail to enlarge):

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