In 1951 Republic Aviation began a project to develop a supersonic tactical fighter- bomber to replace the F-84F Thunderflash. The result was the F-105 Thunderchief, later affectionately nicknamed the “Thud.” The prototype YF-105 first flew on 22 October, 1955 and the first F-105D first flew 9 June, 1959. The aircraft was originally designed with a bomb bay to carry a nuclear weapon for high speed low altitude strikes against Soviet targets.
The F-105D could carry more that 14,000 lb of ordinance, a heavier load than either the B-17 or the B-24.
The F-105D was used extensively in the Vietnam War. It flew 70 percent of the air strikes against North Vietnam during the first four years. Based at Da Nang, South Vietnam and various Thailand air bases, the F-105 suffered the highest losses of any aircraft in Vietnam. Of the 883 F-105’s built, a combined 395 were lost. 334 to enemy action and 60 to operational accidents. The last F-105D was withdrawn from USAF service on 12 July, 1980.
The F-105 soldiered on as the F-105G “Wild Weasel.” Its mission was to seek out and destroy enemy radar controlled anti-aircraft weapons.
TYPE: Fighter/Bomber
CREW: One
FIRST FLIGHT: 22 October, 1955
RETIRED: 12 July, 1980
PRODUCTION: 833
ENGINE: J75 w/afterburner
RANGE: 780 MI
SPEED: Mach 2.08
CEILING: 48,500 FT
LENGTH: 64 FT 5 IN
HEIGHT: 19 FT 8 IN
WINGSPAN: 34 FT 11 IN
EMPTY WEIGHT: 27,500 LB
MAX WEIGHT: 35,637 LB
MAX TAKEOFF: 52,546 LB
PAYLOAD: 14,000 LB
ARMAMENT: 1-20mm Gatling Cannon Variety of Bomb Loads
This aircraft is on loan from the City of Aurora, from the United States Air Force.