1/48 Tamiya F-84G MiG Killer Thunderjet

Gallery Article by David Mielke "VMFA314Knights" on Oct 12 2009

 

This is my model of Jacob Kratt's 'MiG Killer' F-84G 51-493 when the 523rd was based out of Taegu AB, Korea.  The Tamiya kit is a gem to build with no vices that I recall.  I used the CED 48106 decals as I wanted to build a Korean War veteran aircraft. - As I understand it now, the kit does not build into the exact type that Kratt flew (debated to be a E and not a G at all... if true, oh well... it's close enough for now... my reference and the CED said it was a G.)

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On 23 January 1951, 1LT Jacob Kratt had the distinction of shooting down 2 MiG-15s on a single mission.  This was no small feat considering that the MiG-15 is deemed superior in speed, climb and hitting power. Kratt would continue his success and gain another 'Kill' over a Yak-9 to finish the war as the top scorer in the F-84.  His CO, Lt Col William Bertram is credited with 27th's first MiG-15 'Kill', gaining his victory 2 days before.

On Kratt's double 'Kill' mission the 523rd was providing high cover for squadrons conducting a strike on the North Korean airfield at Sinuiju, just east of a known MiG base at Antung, Manchuria.  The eight strafers had already made their runs on the airfield before the enemy reacted. During the attack MiGs were spotted taking off from Antung and a major 'furball' ensued.  Kratt quickly got into the fight, "I rolled over and came down fast, and got in a good long burst on the No. 2 MIG. Smoke poured out of his tail, and he turned to the Manchurian side, and that apparently disorganized their attack, as two more of our flights made passes at the field, and nobody got bounced on his run. My wingman said that when he passed my MIG it was flaming." Within two minutes Kratt had two victories. 

As luck would have it that day, the MiG's late takeoff prevented them from gaining an altitude advantage.  Amazingly all F-84's from the mission made it back to base, claiming 4 MiGs for the days work (Allen McGuire and William Slaughter also bagged a MiG-15 each). 

I highly recommend this kit to anyone (you can usually find it relatively inexpensive), although the Revell/ProModeler kit is suppose to be quite good as well... I may have to build one of those too! - Happy Modelling!  

David Mielke "VMFA314Knights"

Photos and text © by David Mielke "VMFA314Knights"