F-84F Thunderstreak P-248
At first, we received the Thunderstreak with registration P-171. It was planned to be placed on the pedestal. But during the work, it soon became clear that the state of this aircraft was bad. In consultation with the air base officials and the MLM, it was decided that the P-171 would be replaced by the much better P-248.
The P-248's history at the Royal Netherlands Air Force starts on November 1, 1955, when it was accepted by the RNLAF. Via a so-called Hi-Flight, it was flown to Eindhoven Air Base on June 22, 1956. Due to an accident on August 14, 1968, it was put out of service on September 25, 1970. During the period from May 1971 to June 1973, it was used as an instruction aircraft by the LETS. After that, it was stored at the former Military Aviation Museum (which is now embedded into the National Military Museum) in Soesterberg. And after being stored there for quite some time it finally got transported to the HVV at Volkel Airbase.
The aircraft has been left intact as far as possible. During the conservation of the wings, we discovered that there was a major crack in a main-beam. Moving the aircraft to the paint shop and to the pedestal was impossible.
After the repair was completed, the rest of the plane was closed to prevent water to come in and birds to nest. When this was done, the aircraft was transported to the paint shop.
Back from the painter, all decals were put on the aircraft and finally placed on its pedestal at 6 May 2014.
The unveiling took place on 2 June 2014 by PC-LSK Gen. Maj. E. v. Duren.
