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| 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 |
| Lloyd T. Callicoat, e-mail, 30.09.2010 20:39 Sorry my E-mail address was incorrect on the first try reply | | Lloyd T. Callicoat, e-mail, 28.09.2010 02:48 I worked on the F-105 at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas NV 1967 & 1968. Then I went to southeast Asia May to May 1968 & 1969 Kaorat Royal Thai AFB. I crossed trained into F-4 phantoms at Egin AFB in Ft Walton beach FL and was discharged in April of 1970. Like to hear from some F-105ers from the past loved both airplanes. reply | | Hal Shrum, e-mail, 23.09.2010 17:10 Had the privilage to be an eng mech on the "nickel" at Bitburg,Ger.(1962-1965, "backseated" on TDY's at Wheelus and went to Osan with the "Wild Weasels"at Nellis when the Koreans took the Pueblo.Just a beautiful bird.Each time I go to Nellis I have to stop by and say "Hello". reply | | Sal Orlando, e-mail, 17.09.2010 19:42 I was a hydraulic repairman at Spangdahlem AFB from 1961-1964 and was their when the F100's were phased out and the 105's came in. It was a big deal then. Also went TDY to Wheelus AFB in Libya. A couple of things that happened at Wheelus at different times with the 105, one was a front bearing went out on the Gatling gun and shot up the nose shield pretty badly. The other thing was a hydraulic leak in the aft section of the engine the toasted the whole interior of the aft section. Both pilots brought them home safely. reply | |
| | RICHARD O'NEAL, e-mail, 01.07.2010 02:35 I ARRIVED AT NELLIS AFB SEPTEMBER 1960 AND WAS ASSIGINED TO THE 4520TH FIELD MAINT SQ DOCK INSPECTION F100'S. 43131. TWO YEARS LATER I WAS CROSSED TRAINED TO 42131 F105D PNEUDRAULIC /HYDRAULIC REPAIRMAN. THE F105D AND F MODELS WERE FAIRLY EASY TO WORK ON EXCEPT TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE CADILLAC VALVE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE BOMB BAY AT THE TOP SO THAT WHEN THE CENTER LINE TANK WAS INSTALLED IN THE BIRD REMOVING AND REPLACING THIS PART WAS A COMPLETE NIGHT MARE THE VALVE CONTROLLED THE VIA INLETS IN THE INTAKES. ONE MORE VALVE THAT WAS MURDER WAS THE NOSE WHEEL STEERING CONTROL CONTROL VALVE WHICH WAS LOCATED IN THE TOP OF THE NOSE WHEEL BAY SO TRYING TO SERVICE THIS VALVE YOU WOULD HAVE TO SQUEEZE JUST ABOUT ON TOP OF THE NOSE GEAR. I STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL AIRPLANE. reply | | Felix Harris, e-mail, 20.07.2010 18:38 I was sent to Takhli AB,Thailand as a Pneudralic Rep. in support of the F-105D /F /G's in late 1969.I've got so many great memories of the "THUD",I don't know where to begin.I will say this.Working on a Hyd. leak at the P1 pump,while the engines running,and loaded to the the max. with 750lb. bombs is a tooth-rattling experience.But,If I had it to live over again,I would.Love that "THUD". reply | | Jackie Adams, e-mail, 17.06.2010 07:22 I was at George AFB from 1977 to 1980 with the last of the F-105G model before they all went to the Reserve. Shoot me an email old buddies. reply | | Ed Bzdyk - 99619, 21-6, e-mail, 24.08.2010 14:22 Worked in RAC 1956-1965 from Expediter on F105 program to Production Control Foreman in NC Machine shop, Plant 29E. Went off-site with the 105 to Eglin , FL & Lancaster, CA. What a beautiful beast! When I was in Inventory Control, I had to check the electronics up in the "ballroom" - what a squeeze! Used to watch from the mezzanine, the muscle it took to "fit" the canopy onto the fuselage. A terrific experience! reply | | Mark Benson, e-mail, 25.08.2010 00:07 Crew chief on F105D-N059 with the 333TFS at Takhli RTAFB circa 1966-67. Outstanding acft with excellent J75 engine, avionics and fire control systems. reply | | Vic, e-mail, 25.08.2010 18:52 Flew four different fighters in my 24 year Air Force career and the "Thud" was definitely my favorite. It is great seeing so many positive comments from those that maintained her. No wonder the operational rate was so high during its SEA operations. My hat is off to these dedicated individuals that help place this plane in the annals of history. An era I would gladly relive! reply | | Don Goeke, e-mail, 26.08.2010 07:16 As you can see I had some remarks in 2008. I fell in love with the F-105. I spent time with it in Osan AB, Korea alert pad and a couple of trips to Thialand. One item still remains in my heart and mind and that is the day I got my flight in the rear seat of a "F" model and during that flight we made 3 bomb runs on the rock off the coast of Japan and then we went out and he took me up to 1.3 mach and with that out of the way the pilot give me a good dose of 4.5 G's and then it was time to return to Yokota AB and the flight lasted 1hour 45 minutes and I can't think of anything that has happened to me in my life to match that day in the back seat of my beloved "thud". I still have pictures as wall paper on both of my computers. The one on this computer is 62-361 and I believe that aircraft belonged to the 80th TFS of the 8th TFW, Itazuke AB, Japan. On my other computer I have a "D" model in flight but I can't read the tail number but the large letters on the tail is "HI" so I don't know who she belonged to. At the air craft meuseum at what use to be McClellan AFB is 62-302 and it belonged to the 35TFS, 8th TFW, Itazuke AB, Japan. I will always remember the times I spent on the "thud" and it made no difference where I was or the weather I always enjoyed and loved my "thud". I know that we moved to Yokota but I feel the troops were a lot closer knit at Itazuke than at Yokota. reply | | Sam Albright, e-mail, 13.04.2010 01:18 After 4 year hitch as USAF jet engine mechanic (43250) I worked as a "crew mechanic" @ Farmingdale plant flight operations 60-62 Left during '62 strike. Glad we 'made some good ones' for fellow Airmen in time of war!Thanks for the memories! reply | | MEL GOMEZ, e-mail, 31.03.2010 17:26 I WAS AT ITAZUKE WHEN THEY CAME . A FULL WING FOR 4 SQDS . WHAT A MAGNIFICENT ACFT. I WAS PROUD TO SERVE WITH THE MEN IN THE 8TH TAC FTR WING . I KNOW DON GOEKE WELL , IF ANYONE HAS HIS E-MAIL , I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT . MEL GOMEZ . ACFT ELECTRICAN . THANX , GUYS FOR ALL YOU DID ! reply | | Jesse Deets smith, e-mail, 30.08.2010 22:29 I flew the F-105 out of Yokota AFB during the late 60's. The plane was designed to fly very fast and very low to deliver a nuclear weapon without being detected by the enemy. The range and altitude capabilities listed above are exaggerated. The plane didn't perform well above 30,000ft and a 1000NM trip was about it without Air to air refueling. The air frame could sustain indicated airspeeds near 800 knots. Migs would disintegrate above about 600 kts indicated air speeds so nose down and burner was the best way to disengage an airplane that could turn tighter than the 105. Pilots joked that if you could build a runway around the world Republic could design an airplane to use it all. The airplane landed at 185 kts plus an allowance for fuel, so you're coming in over the runway threshold at about 200 knots. That is FAST. It took a doug chute and brakes to get is safely stopped on a 10,000 ft runway. Taking off was equally as exciting. 7 or 8 thousand feet using water injection. I thought the airplane had a beautiful profile and it's handling characteristics were excellent. I enjoyed flying the airplane. reply | |
| | Jim Moore, e-mail, 22.03.2010 06:07 I went from the 13th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Montana to the 354th TFS in Takhli and was a jammer driver on a load team on the THUD. One heck of an airplane, built like a tank. The pilots were a great group of men too and I had tremendous respect for them going in harms way everyday. What a team we all were when we were soldiers and young once. I have been bored ever since. reply | | ohn Bailey, e-mail, 14.03.2010 00:56 It did it's job! I and my family arrived at Itazuki in 1962 and left for Yakota in 1964. I was an engine machanic and trim pad runup specialist. We spent a lot of time in Osan Korea, vietnam, and camp nasty thailand. I retired form the Air theforce as the Grand Forks AFB Propulsion Branch Chief in 1979. My F105 aircraft tour was a highlight of my career. reply | | Jimmy Traywick, e-mail, 02.03.2010 22:25 Worked swing shift and maintenance at 4520th OMS at Nellis from 1963 -1967. We had "D"s and "F"s. Good memories and good people. God Bless America. reply | | Bob, e-mail, 01.03.2010 07:41 Weapons Load Team '67, 469th @ Korat: anyone with A /C & art of Mr Toad? reply | | Jim Cummings, e-mail, 26.02.2010 11:27 The A-10 was manufactured after Fairchild Hiller took over Republic Aviation. reply | | Allen Huie, e-mail, 15.02.2010 23:42 I worked the G Model in the Georgia ANG Prior to mt 23 1 /2 years on Active Duty. I believe the F & G Models were the only ones with Water Injection (J-75-P-19W) due to the extra weight they carried. Please email me if I am wrong. Thanks, AL Huie (F119PWR) reply |
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