f84

Belgian Air Force Republic F-84F FU-83 ex 53-6555 collision (on ground??) with FU-65 18Mar 1957

No it was an air to air collision and FU-83 managed to belly land at Kleine Brogel. Code was RA-K and unit No 27 Sq Stig

Belgian Air Force F-84F code FU-83 ex 53-6555

March 18th, 1957 - FU85 collides with FU65 (27 Squadron, pilot OLt.André Janssens) near Budel (the Netherlands) and severely damaged. 1Sgt.Almir Latte (FU85) estimates that his aircraft is only slightly damaged and flies back to his home base Kleine Brogel, where his landing gear doesn't work. After a successfull belly landing he discovers that the aircraft had lost the complete nose section just before the cockpit. FU83 27Sqn, squadron code RA-K FU65 27Sqn, squadron code RA-S

This is a Republic F-84 Thunderjet about to take off from what appears to be Runway 19 at Republic Airport (FRG / KFRG). If the frame of the photo was wider, to the right you would see Republic Aviation's primary manufacturing plant at Republic Airport. Below is a link just to the east (approx. 50 meters) of the likely point from which this photo was taken. Today, stores and a parking lot occupy the space where the plant would have been. maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1LENN_enUS451US451&q=40.73...

Since this location has been identified, you need to change the title and remove this from the "need identification" album.