Republic F-105D Thunderchief (THUD)
Built by Republic Aircraft, the F-105 was designed as a supersonic single seat fighter-bomber able to carry nuclear weapons and heavy bomb loads over great distances at high speeds. The aircraft made its first flight on October 12, 1955. The F-105D was the all-weather fighter-bomber version, fitted with a 20mm “Gatling-type” gun, a Doppler radar for night or bad weather operations and external fuel tanks. The original weapons bay was designed for nuclear stores but was routinely used for additional fuel tanks. Bombs, rockets and other weapons were carried externally on the centerline of the fuselage, or on wing pylons. The aircraft was fitted with a retractable in-flight refueling probe. During the Vietnam War F-105 units carried-out the major bombing operations in the high-threat areas of North Vietnam, known as Route Package VI, flying from bases at Tahkli and Korat in Thailand. The Thunderchief was reputable for its very high speed capabilities at very low altitude and was considered the best fighter-bomber in the Vietnam War.
USAF S/N 62-4301 is an F-105D-31-RE, one of 610 F-105Ds built by Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, New York. It was delivered to the USAF on April 25, 1963 and assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF), Itazuke AB, Japan. In May 1964 it was assigned to the 41st Air Division (PACAF), at Yokota AB, Japan, where it was stationed until January 1968 when it was sent to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF), Osan AB, Korea. While with the 18th TFW it made two brief combat tours with the 355th TFW at Takhli AB, Thailand, and achieved an unofficial ground kill of an IL-28 bomber during one of the tours. From April to August 1972 it was here at McClellan for maintenance. It then went to the 507th Tactical Fighter Group (AFRES), Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, and finally in July 1980 to the 466th Tactical Fighter Squadron (AFRES), Hill AFB, Utah. It was flown to the museum on January 16, 1984.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: One.
Power Plant: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet, 24,500 lb. thrust.
Dimensions:
Span: 34 ft 11 in. Length: 64 ft 3 in. Height: 19 ft 8 in.
Weigh: Maximum - 52,550 lbs.
Performance:
Speed: Max - 1,390 mph (Mach 2.25) at 36,000 ft.
Ceiling: 52,000 ft.
Range: w/o refueling - 2,000 miles.
Armament: One 20mm GE Vulcan cannon. Up to 8,000 lbs of other weapons.
THIS AIRCRAFT IS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE USAF