F-84F of the Greek/Hellenic Air Force
This gallery deals with the Thunderstreaks that once flew with the Greek Air Force. Most pictures were taken when Frank and Hans were invited to visit the Greek AFB Larissa to report on the Best Hit Meet in 1972: after a lot of asking we were allowed to picture some operational aircraft of 344 squadron that were based here at Larissa.
Longest user of all , GREECE kept its Streaks in operational condition up to 1983. The Greek Air Force received many of their first F-84Fs in 1958 (both brandnew and ex-USAF); later they got some surplus aircraft from France, Germany and Holland. In total they had 6 squadrons on strength over the years. The Greek replaced their F-84Fs withF-5s, A-7H Corsairs and F-4 Phantoms.
The Greek F-84Fs were officially retired in August 1978 (344sqn) but a small fleet continued to fly as a part of the 348TRS which was flying with the RF-84F Thunderflash at that time. In 1981, the 344sqn was reactivated using the remaining fleet of F-84Fs until July 1983 when the definite retirement took place (this info courtesy Tasos KELTEMLIDIS).
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- 53-2730 (GH)
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- 53-7175 (GH)
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- 53-7050 (GH)
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- 53-6689 (GH)
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- 52-6866 (GH)
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- 52-6837 (GH)
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- 52-6824 (GH)
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- 52-6541 (GH)
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- 52-6914 (GH)
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- 52-6890 (GH)
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- 52-6837 (GH)
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- 52-6742 (GH)
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- 52-6840 (GH)
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- 52-6745 (GH)
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- 52-6554 (GH)
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- 37216 (wfu), Athens 2015 (FK)
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- 36741 (wfu), Ioannina (Gr) September 2018 (FK)
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- 26789 (wfu), Toulouse 2013 (FK)
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- 26959, Larissa 1972 (FK)
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- 27061, Larissa 1972 (FK)
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- 27061, (HE)
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- 26959 (HE)
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- 26941 (FK)
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- 26879 (HE)
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- 26879 (FK)
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- 26879 (FK)
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- 26811 (FK)
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- 26789 (HE)
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- 26789 (HE)
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- 26789, Larissa 1972 (FK)
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- 26789, Larissa 1972 (FK)
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- 26789 F-84F HAF
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- 26661, photo Hell.A.F. (FK coll.)
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- 26621, Larissa 1972 (FK)
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- 26621, Larissa 1972(FK)
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- 51-1815, preserved at Souda (CGH)
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- 26467 (GH)
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- 26361 (GH)
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- 26871 (CGH)
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In 1972, the only squadron which was operating the F-84F in 110 Larissa AB was the 344sqn NOT the 345sqn. Also, the greek F-84Fs were officially retired in August 1978 (344sqn) but a small fleet continued to fly as a part of the 348TRS which was flying with the RF-84F Thunderflash at that time. In 1981, the 344sqn was reactivated using the remaining fleet of F-84Fs until July 1983 when the definite retirement took place. Note that on 15th of Sept, 1982 took place the very last accident of RF-84F in Greece. The pilot, Theodoros Petropoulos, was successfully ejected but the flaming parts of his F-84F which had exploded in the air hit and killed three people on the ground, downtown in Larissa.
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***Note that on 15th of Sept, 1982 took place the very last accident of F-84F (NOT RF.. SORRY) in Greece. The pilot, Theodoros Petropoulos, was successfully ejected but the flaming parts of his F-84F which had exploded in the air hit and killed three people on the ground, downtown in Larissa.
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I have some pics of Greek F-84s (and RF-84s, I think) taken at Souda in 1997, and a few other places … interested?
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