The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 bore the brunt of strike bombing over North Vietnam during the early years of the Vietnam War. Originally designed and deployed as a single seat aircraft, a two-seat Wild Weasel version was later developed for use in the specialized Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role against surface-to-air missile sites. It was commonly known as the Thud by its crews.

As a follow-on to the Mach 1 capable F-100, the F-105 was also armed with missiles and a cannon; however, its design was tailored to high-speed low-altitude penetration carrying a single nuclear bomb internally. First flown in 1955, the Thunderchief entered service in 1958. As the largest single-engined fighter ever employed by the USAF, the single-seat F-105 would be adapted to deliver a greater iron bomb load than the four-engined, 10-man strategic bombers of World War II like the B-17, B-24 and B-29. The F-105 would be best remembered as the primary strike bomber over North Vietnam in the early stages of the Vietnam War. Over 20,000 Thunderchief sorties were flown, with 382 aircraft lost (nearly half of the 833 produced) including 62 operational casualties. Although it lacked the agility of the smaller MiG fighters, USAF F-105s demonstrated the effectiveness of guns, and were credited with downing 27.5 enemy aircraft.

During the war, the two-seat F-105F and F-105G Wild Weasel variants became the first dedicated Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) platforms, fighting against the Soviet-built S-75 Dvina / (SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missiles. Two Wild Weasel pilots were awarded the Medal of Honor for attacking North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile sites, with one shooting down two MiG-17s the same day. The dangerous missions often required them to be the "first in, last out," suppressing enemy air defenses and keeping them suppressed while strike aircraft accomplished their missions and then left the area.

Although the F-105 weighed 50,000 pounds (22,680 kg), the aircraft could exceed the speed of sound at sea level and Mach 2 at high altitude. It could carry up to 14,000 pounds (6,700 kg) of bombs and missiles. The Thunderchief was later replaced as a strike aircraft over North Vietnam by both the F-4 Phantom II and the swing-wing F-111. However, the "Wild Weasel" variants remained in service until 1984, when they were replaced by a specialized F-4G "Wild Weasel V". The USAF F-4G was subsequently replaced by the USAF F-16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft, currently employed in the SEAD role.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale rendition of a USAF Republic F-105D Thunderchief fighter-bomber nicknamed 'My Karma', which was attached to the 466th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Diamondback", then deployed to Hill AFB, Utah. Sold Out!!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-1/4-inches
Length: 10-1/2-inches

Release Date: October 2010

Historical Account: "Majesty in Motion" - 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 25th, 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. From here it 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 16th, 1984.