January 2018 FLYPAST 113McDonnell RF-4C Phantom. Greece
had similar intentions, replacing its
Thunderflashes with more modern
Northrop RF-5A Freedom Fighters
and then RF-4Es.
Deliveries of RF-5As started in
October 1970 and a month later the
F-84F Thunderstreaks of the 349th
Mira were phased out. The unit
changed role from fighter-bomber
to recce. The primary role of the
Northrops was to support the 348th
MTA’s operations with a secondary
role of ground attack and close air
support.
Despite being a more modern
type, the RF-5A carried less capable
cameras and had a smaller combat
radius than that of the Thunderflash.
In June 1974, the Greek government
began negotiations with Washington
regarding a possible order of RF-4Es
or the greatly improved Northrop
RF-5E Tiger II. At that point, the
HAF had 28 RF-84Fs, all on charge
with the 348th MTA.
Due to poor results in recce
operations with RF-5As, the HAF
changed the 349th’s role to fighter in
April 1975, removing the tac-recce
gear and even installing F-5A nose
cones on all except five of the fleet.
A contract was finally signed for the
acquisition of eight RF-4Es two years
later.Re m t l t
By 1987 the number of operable
RF-4Es had been reduced to five,
while six Thunderflashes were also
soldiering on. The Phantoms were
merged with the RF-84Fs under thebanner of the 348th MTA in July
1987.
Gradual retirement of the RF-84Fs
began that year and some were
cannibalised for their parts or were
placed on the perimeter of Larissa to
act as surface decoys. The venerable
jets had largely been replaced by the
RF-104Gs of the 335th Mira.
One of the former Dutch
Thunderflashes, 11253, was
presented to the Netherlands
National Military Museum. It was
flown from Larissa to Volkel on July
29, 1988 to take part in the 35th
anniversary celebrations of 306
Squadron. It was later painted in
Dutch colours and put on display at
Soesterberg.
The last three RF-84Fs - 28728,
37683 and 52470 - were withdrawn
from service during an official
retirement ceremony at Larissa
on March 29, 1991. Nine HAF
Thunderflashes are preserved as ‘gate
guardians’ or museum exhibits. After
35 years of service, Greek RF-84Fs
were the last operational examples of
their type in the world.The author would like to express his
appreciation to Yannis Petridis, Lt
Col Dimitrios Papadimitriou, Lt Col
Stavros Antonopoulos, Major Lambros
Tolias, Captain Alexandros Gioulekas
and George Athanasiadis for their help
and support in the preparation of this
article. He is also indebted to the work
of the late General G Mitsena.Left
Three RF-4Es fl anked
by RF-84Fs after the
recce Phantom was
integrated into the
348th MTA.Below left
A formation of RF-
84Fs in the 1970s.Below
Thunderfl ashes
28728, 37683 and
52470 before the
farewell fl ight on
March 29, 1991.
ANTONIOS MANOUSAKIS
ARCHIVE“Nine HAF Thunderfl ashes are preserved as ‘gate guardians’ or
museum exhibits. After 35 years of service, Greek RF-84Fs were
the last operational examples of their type in the world”