Hangar 2 · the display team
USAF Thunderbirds
Die-cast models and plastic kits of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron — the Thunderbirds — whose F-16 Fighting Falcons have flown the team’s displays since 1983.
7 specimens
USAF Thunderbirds die-cast
Ready-made metal models of the display team’s aircraft — mostly 1:72, from today’s F-16s back to the F-84 and F-100. Open this shelf
- Hobby Master HA3815 F-16C Thunderbirds No. 1 (2010) A 1:72 die-cast F-16C in the markings of Thunderbird No. 1 from the 2010 season. Recent
- Hobby Master HA38039 F-16C Thunderbirds No. 1, RIAT 2017 Thunderbird No. 1 as it appeared at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2017. Recent
- Hobby Master HA38044 F-16C Thunderbirds “Warbird” No. 10 (1988) A 1:72 F-16C in Thunderbirds markings as aircraft No. 10, “Warbird”, from 1988. Recent
- Hobby Master HA19083 F-4E Phantom II Thunderbirds No. 1 (1973/74) The F-4E Phantom II in Thunderbirds markings as aircraft No. 1 — Hobby Master labels it the 1973/74 season. Recent
- Hobby Master HA2114 F-100D Super Sabre Thunderbirds (1967) The Super Sabre that served the team for 13 years, in 1967 Thunderbirds markings. Recent
- Hobby Master HA5415 T-38 Talon Thunderbirds No. 1 (1970s) The supersonic T-38 trainer the team flew from 1974, as Thunderbird No. 1. Recent
- Hobby Master HA2502 F-105B Thunderchief Thunderbirds (1964) The Thunderchief, which the team flew for only six shows in 1964, in Thunderbirds colours. Recent
6 specimens
USAF Thunderbirds kits
Plastic and resin kits of Thunderbirds aircraft, from 1:144 to 1:48 — plus decal sheets for building your own. Open this shelf
- Hasegawa F-16C Block 52 Thunderbirds (1:72 kit) An injection-moulded kit of the team’s current F-16C, with a bonus patch. Current
- Kinetic K48148 F-16D Viper “Thunderbirds” (1:48 kit) A larger 1:48 kit of the two-seat F-16D in Thunderbirds markings, with Fightertown decals. Current
- Trumpeter F-100D Super Sabre Thunderbirds (1:48 kit) The F-100D in Thunderbirds colours as a 1:48 injection kit. Current
- Trumpeter T-38A Talon Thunderbirds (1:48 kit) The T-38A trainer the team flew from 1974, as a 1:48 injection kit. Current
- Miniwing F-84G and F-84F Thunderbirds (1:144 resin kits) Small resin kits of the team’s first two aircraft, the F-84G Thunderjet and F-84F Thunderstreak. Recent
- Thunderbirds decal sheets (1:48) Aftermarket decals for building Thunderbirds aircraft from standard kits — including the 2024 F-16C scheme. Current
USAF Thunderbirds
Background
The team
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, was activated in 1953 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, and has been based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, since June 1956. Wikipedia notes that the squadron takes its name from the thunderbird of several indigenous North American mythologies — it has no connection with the TV series, which came twelve years later.
Aircraft the team has flown
According to the US Air Force fact sheet, the team began with the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjet, moved to the swept-wing F-84F Thunderstreak early in 1955 and the F-100 Super Sabre in 1956. It flew the Republic F-105 Thunderchief for only six shows in 1964 before returning to the F-100, then flew the F-4E Phantom II from 1969 to 1973 and the T-38 Talon trainer from 1974. The F-16A arrived for the 1983 season and the F-16C in 1992.
Collecting tips
Many models show the F-16 in the team’s red, white and blue scheme, but earlier types — the F-84, F-100, F-105, F-4E and T-38 — have been made in Thunderbirds colours too, as die-cast and kits. Some kits include Thunderbirds decals as just one of several marking options (Trumpeter’s 1:48 F-100F is an example), so check the box description to see which markings are included. Search by aircraft type plus “Thunderbirds”.
Sources
Key dates
- 1953
The USAF Thunderbirds are formed
The U.S. Air Force’s air demonstration team is activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, flying the F-84G Thunderjet.
- 1956
The team moves to Nellis and the F-100
The Thunderbirds move to their current home, Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, and take up the F-100 Super Sabre, which serves the team for 13 years.
- 1969
Thunderbirds fly the F-4E Phantom II
The team flies the Air Force’s front-line fighter, then switches to the T-38 Talon trainer in 1974.
- 1983
The F-16 arrives
The F-16A Fighting Falcon becomes the team’s display aircraft; the F-16C follows in 1992.