Restored F-84 Thunderstreak to be added to Veterans Memorial Park

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — At the Terre Haute Regional Airport Thursday, a plane from over 60 years ago has been restored.

The F-84 Thunderstreak was one of the first fighter planes to be flown in Terre Haute.

To recognize the city’s aviation history, the Terre Haute Regional Airport and Veterans Memorial Park collaborated to bring one back and restore it.

I hear all the time, well we miss the jets in the sky, right, because we always used to hear that sound of freedom every day. At least when you’re driving down Wabash you will get to see the sound of freedom right over there.

Craig Maschino – Executive Director – TH Regional Airport

The plane will eventually be put in Vigo Country Veterans Memorial Park.

The Thunderstreak is one of four planes, that served at Hulman Field, that will be put on display in a Racer Air Plaza.

We have lighting. We have a parking lot. A lot of our veterans are older, right. Sometimes they can’t get around really well. Right there, at that location, they can actually get out of a van and a wheelchair and get right over to it without going up or down one step to get to this plaza. It’s a great location.

Craig Maschino – Executive Director – TH Regional Airport

For now, the plane will be on display outside of the 181st Intelligence Wing.

Major General Kip Clark served for over three decades in Terre Haute and says the plane represents generations of the city.

Not just the 181st Intelligence Wing, but our community as a whole. It takes our entire community to support this wing and all they have done.

Maj. General Kip Clark

The Terre Haute Airport and Veterans Memorial Park hope to have the entire project done in the next year.

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