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.)
Click on
images below to see larger images
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"
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