|
| The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, or company model AP-63, was conceived in 1951 as a nuclear strike aircraft with an internal bomb bay, but won renown for hauling bombs externally in a conventional war. Alexander Kartveli's design team originally intended a straight fuselage for the craft but, after seeing NACA data assembled by Richard Whitcomb, was won over by the wasp-waist or 'area rule' configuration which enhanced transonic flight performance. At first intended for the Allison J71 engine and powered in prototype form by the Pratt & Whitney J57, the F-105 attained its successes with the 7802kg thrust Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet which provided 11113kg thrust with afterburning. Its mid-mounted wing, swept 60 degrees, the F-105 stood high on its tricycle gear and was a big, brutish machine, yet it conveyed an image of sleekness and grace slicing through the air. Development of the aircraft was by no means without its difficulties, and things had only begun when two J57-powered YF-105As commenced flying 22 October 1955, soon followed by 15 aircraft designated JF-105B and F-105B for test programmes.
Production F-105Bs, long delayed by development problems, began to roll from Republic's Farmingdale line during 1958 and the USAF accepted its first machine on 27 May 1958. The 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron, temporarily moved to Eglin AFB, Florida, began to work up in the new aircraft only to find that, given its complexity and production slippages, it would not become operational until 1960. Meanwhile, a two-seat strike variant, the F-105C, had reached the mock-up stage but was not built. Though technical problems persisted and critics were calling the 'Thud' a maintenance nightmare, Republic proceeded with the F-105D variant which afforded true, all-weather capability by introducing General Electric FC-5 fully integrated automatic flight fire-control system. The F-105D's fuselage was lengthened by 0.381m. Some 610 were manufactured, and first flight took place at Farmingdale 9 June 1959. The F-105D model soon equipped all three squadrons of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) were the first overseas recipient of the F-105D, the 36th TFW at Bitburg AB, West Germany re-equipping from 12 May 1961 and the 49th TFW at Spangdahlem soon following. In the early 1960s, with a war growing in Asia,
F-105Ds joined the 18th TFW at Kadena AFB, Okinawa.
The F-105D was by now a proven ordnance-carrier. With multiple ejector racks (MER), it could carry an impressive load of external fuel, ECM gear, and eight 340kg bombs on long-range missions. The F-105D could also operate with the Martin AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-surface missile, which was to prove remarkably ineffective against 'hard' targets in Vietnam and would be observed bouncing off the Thanh Hoa Bridge. In addition, the F-105D model could carry 70mm rocket pods, napalm canisters and the AIM-9 infra-red (IR) air-to-air missiles, while its integral M61A1 Gatling-type 20-mm cannon proved invaluable in the dual roles of air-to-air combat and air-to-ground strafing. A late-model variant of the F-105D was the F-105D T-Stick II fitted with additional avionics which bestowed all-weather bombing capability, housed in a prominent dorsal fairing extending along the spine of the fuselage to the tail.
The F-105E was another two-seat variant that was not developed. A two-seat Thunderchief was inevitable, however, and in May 1962 Republic proceeded with the F-105F. This model, which made its first flight 11 June 1963, was some 900kg heavier as well as slightly longer than earlier Thunderchiefs in order to accommodate the second crewman in tandem; 143 F-105Fs were delivered and 61 were later reconfigured for the electronic warfare or 'Wild Weasel' role in Vietnam, at first under their original designation and later as the F-105G.
The F-105D, F-105F and F-105G all fought in North Vietnamese skies, the F-104D model fighter-bomber so extensively that over half of the 610 built eventually fell to Hanoi's air defences. After withdrawal from South East Asia in 1969-70, the Thunderchief soldiered on in Reserve and Air National Guard units, eventually flying its final sortie in 1984. At one time no fewer than 14 USAF and 11 ANG squadrons operated the type, which was built to the extent of 833 examples. Perhaps because of its complexity, no F-105 was ever exported.
| MODEL | F-105D |
| CREW | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 x Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W, 76.5kN |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 23967 kg | 52838 lb |
| Empty weight | 12474 kg | 27501 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 10.59 m | 35 ft 9 in |
| Length | 19.61 m | 64 ft 4 in |
| Height | 5.97 m | 20 ft 7 in |
| Wing area | 35.77 m2 | 385.02 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Ceiling | 12560 m | 41200 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 3846 km | 2390 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 1 x 20mm cannon, 6350kg of weapons |
| steve coker, e-mail, 04.02.2010 21:04 Air Force Reserve crew chief at Carswell from '74 to '77. Was selected to OTS /UPT and flew the airplane the last 18 months at Carswell, '80 to '82. I will never forget the unit, pilots, maintainers, or a minute in the airplane. God Bless America and the F-105!!! reply |
| Ron Wallace, e-mail, 27.01.2010 03:43 I was stationed at 36TFW, Bitburg, Germany, 1963-1962, I was one of the few that got to crew a f-105F, great airplane, enjoyed being part of the 23 TFS group, Plane no. was f-323, also went to Wheelus,North Africa, for gunnery and bombing practice. reply | | AL, 26.01.2010 21:19 I was a "newbie" at Macdill, and didn't even know what aircraft this was at first. I loved watching the pilots "stand them on a wingtip" and come in for a landing. I could never understand how they could keep flying while in that attitude. Of course, it was because of the pressure on the wing load at that angle. reply | | Robert Dunn, e-mail, 25.01.2010 03:32 I served with the 35th at Yokota AFB, and supported the Oran, Korea alert pad from Oct. 1966 to Feb 1970. 46250, and i loved the 105. you could stand up to do everthing, not like the F4 which we got in 1969. Ill never forget the sound of afterburner at takeoff. reply | |
| | Beetle Bailey, e-mail, 24.01.2010 14:26 I was a crew chief on F-105F 63-8362 149 TFS / 192 TFG VaANG for over 10 years.I think it went to the Georgia ANG though it wasn't a weasel. It was a great acft to crew. I also painted the nose art on the sides and designed the marking ie sqdn, tail stripe, etc. The above acft 59-1771 was the "Dynamic Duo" Plt. Capt Don Everett c /c Tsgt Tom Dean. reply | | AL, 22.01.2010 02:33 There was a squadron of F-105's at Macdill circa early 1963. I am trying to find out which unit and base they were TDY from?
Thanks.
AL reply | | guy j sherrill, e-mail, 07.01.2010 04:43 After years of ADC F-94A /B,F-89D /H /J,F-102,F-106, went thru Thud RTU at Wichita, reported to Korat as strike pilot. Assigned as Cmdr, 44 TFS, Wild Weasel /Ryan Raider, 126 missions. "My" airplane, F-105F 4446, now guarding gate at Spang. Best of all airplanes,missions,assignments assignments. reply | | Earl Rebello, e-mail, 04.01.2010 17:32 I worked at Republic Aviation, Farmingdale, NY from 1954-64 on the flightline.My job with the F-105 was to trim the engine using afterburner and water injection. The 105 was easy to work on.We were proud of its service for our country.PS The F-105 was also built to deliver the Atomic Bomb by tossing it from the bomb bay. reply | | Phillip E. Payne, e-mail, 30.12.2009 17:18 Left Alaska in F-102A to Seymour-Johnson AFB F-105s in August 1963, deployed to Incrilk AB,Turkey in Feb. 1965, then to Takhli,Thailand in Aug 1965, returned to SJAFB in March 1966. I fought tooth and nail to get out of ADC and into TAC; it was worth the effort. Loved the Thud. Someone asked if I would go back if called, My reply, "Give me 15 minutes to pack!" reply | | MP COOPER, e-mail, 29.12.2009 07:09 i was line pilot in the 36th sq at itazuke /yokota '62 '65.
we transitioned to the 105 at nellis in the summer of '63.
great machine- i picked up 62-4372-31re at brookley in sep '63, flew her back to japan, and had my name painted on the left canopy rail.
i lead the first f-105 to fly combat in aug '64- korat in that bird...
i finished a 100 missions with the 334th from seymour in jan '66.
i flew 165 in the f-4 '71-72 but the 105 was the machine to beat... reply | | John Macking, e-mail, 16.12.2009 19:01 I was a jammer driver on a weapons load team on 105's.I was on leave from Nellis with orders for Takhli when the N.Koreans captured the Pueblo,when I returned to Nellis the rest of my crew was gone to S.Korea .I went to Takhli and from there to Kadena with TDY's to Kwang-Ju S.Korea. John Macking 354 t.f.s. 68-69 BLMF reply | | Gene Du Boff, e-mail, 11.12.2009 08:56 I was a proud and thrilled flight surgeon for the 8th TFS in the 49th TFW(thus my email) at Spangdahlem, Germany and then Holloman AFB, N.Mex from 1964-70. Got 100's of hours and every chance possible to fly. Incredible pilots and astounding support from all the AF and civilian personnel. Those were some best years for an Omaha city boy to "slip the surly bonds" and know what absolute dedication means. Sturtevant, Walbridge, Simons, Karins, Detweiler, Flynn Swaney, Green and too many more to name. From the brilliance of shining cold war nuc steel to the fearsome deadly camouflage of Asian jungles. An aircraft for the ages. reply | | David Burns, e-mail, 10.12.2009 23:25 Served in the 113th TFW, D.C. ANG when they had the Thud - what an aircraft. I even had the opportunity to fly in the back of one our F models. Was anyone out there at Nellis (can't exactly remember the year - 79-80?) when all of the Thuds in the active duty, Reserve and ANG were at Nellis for the Red Flag Exercise? What a sight to see - gaggles of Thuds leaving the runway during the missions! reply | | Jim Schriver, e-mail, 04.11.2009 04:07 Unbelievable weapons carrier! Was USAF 46250 Wpns Mechanic on The F-105s out of Yakota AB Japan, TDY to Osan AB Korea and Takhli Thailand 1964 Thru 1966 with the 35th Tac Fighter Squadron. My crew loaded Nucs and all conventional weapons required by the missions, including up to 3,000 pounders. Now those were bombs! Would love to have flight pictures of this beast loaded for Cong!
Remember the defination of Veteran!
Active Duty, Discharged, Retired, or Reserve.
Is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to:
"The United States of America,"
For an amount of " up to, and including his or her life."
That is "Honor", and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact. reply | |
| | Benton Kendig, e-mail, 28.09.2009 18:18 I served in the 18th A&E in okinawa and Korat 1965-66 as a Doppler Navigational Repairman. The F-105 System was quite a complex system that incorporated digital and analog technology. Transistor technology was little more that a decade old. Opperation rolling thunder was in force. I had a heck of an experience. I have lost touch with all of my fellow airmen except Don Lesner. reply | | paul scott, e-mail, 14.08.2009 00:38 Amazing aircraft, just like the Phantom. I saw a great Discovery Channel documentary on it. A huge bomb bay at supersonic speed, what more would you want from a fighter-bomber. Just like the classic Buccaneer, though not as fast of course. reply | | Tom Hannah, e-mail, 31.07.2009 03:32 What memories! I served with USAF and worked on the ASG-19 FCS on the F-105D & F at Nellis from Nov-62 to Jun-66, then to Yokota AFB, Japan in Aug-66. One particular memory is when Gen. Ryan paid a visit to our shop at Yokota, along with a lot of "brass", resulting in the development of the Wild Weasel enhancements on the Thud. The pilots were call "Ryan's Raiders" so we called ourselves "Ryan's raiders Aiders" The F-105B was setup for the Thumderbirds for a short time and in my opinion were the most beautiful in formation of any of the other planes they have flown. Unfortunately they were grounded after one fell apart in Calif. and they went back to the F-100 for a few years. reply | | Thomas Solinski, e-mail, 09.07.2009 16:30 Wow looking at all the great comments from the folks that flew and cared for the Thuds is just inspiring. I met the Thud at the end of her carreer, not flying but still serving, as Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) training aircraft. Teaching us youngsters how to fix battle damage so that the next generation could stay flying.
Thank you for your service folks!! reply | | Bonnie C. McKee, e-mail, 05.07.2009 03:51 July 4, l966, Captain Wayne D. Hauth, pilot of F-105 bombed a SAM site in Hanoi...received a Silver Star for his actions that day....after 100 missions over North Vietnam he was stationed at McConnell AFB as an instructor...he was my brother... reply | | larry brantl, e-mail, 24.06.2009 05:16 Was a jet engine mech on the F-105d and F models from feb62 to may 66. Was with the 36th in Bitburg than on to Seymore Johnson with a tdy to Yakota and Takli. Went to Eglin AFB when I returned on the WILD WEASEL program in 66. A lot of graet memories for this short time. Retired from Teledyne CMC as a test engineer after 40.5 yrs. Theres a F model in front of a VFW in Blissfield MI. Brings back good times when I drive by.I see a name on the list that after all this time I reconize. He's the first one to to put me in the cockpit and said run this baby. Paul Soucy AF retired. send me a e-mail, sounds like we had a few things in common after the service. reply |
|
Do you have any comments?
|
| 
COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
|
I recently read your book, Hardlight, which I greatly enjoyed. I was an electronic warfare officer and flew in the F-105G at George AFB in the mid seventies. You state in your book that Fred Flom was the only Vietnam POW to fly the Thud. I flew in backseat with Capt Steve Long when I was At George AFB. One day he told us his story. He was shot down over Laos while flying an O-2. He said that he landed in the middle of an NVA battalion that was headed south and was immediately captured. He said that he spent 4 years as a POW. He started out as an F-4 pilot and came to the 561st TFS after being released with the other POWs. I thought you’d like to know.
reply