Republic F-105 Thunderchief
Data for D & G Variants
Photo from USAF Museum F-105D
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was developed as a replacement for the aging F-84F Thunderjet in the USAF fighter-bomber role. The F-105 did this very well. The F-105D could carry 5 400 kg ordnance, 3 600 kg of that in an internal bomb bay, that's more than the famous World War II B-17 Flying Fortress. F-105's flew 75 percent of the strikes against North Vietnam in the first four years. Thunderchiefs sustained heavy loses during those strikes and thus were known as "Thuds"; thud is the sound an F-105 supposedly makes as it crashes to earth. The Air Force decided that the F-105's unfortunate nickname was bad for moral. From then on "Thud" was the sound a Thunderchief made as it landed after successfully completing a mission. Some F-105G's began life in the trainer role as the F-105F, but were soon in action in Vietnam. Modified Thunderchiefs found themselves hunting down SAM sites in the Wild Weasel role, one of the most dangerous missions in the Air Force. The last F-105D's were withdrawn from USAF service on October 22, 1980, the last G's were withdrawn at roughly the same time.
Specifications
(Data for F-105D)
Origin: Republic Aviation
Type: Tactical Fighter-Bomber
Crew: Pilot
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet with 11 025 kg (24 500 lbs) of thrust with afterburner
Dimensions
Span: 34 ft. 11 in.
Height: 19 ft. 8 in.
Length: 64 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 23 777 kg (52 838 lbs) maximum
Performance
Maximum Speed: 2 224 kph (1 390 mph)
Cruising Speed: 1 245 kph (778 mph)
Climb Rate:
Range: 3 530 km (2 206 miles)
Service Ceiling: 15 300 m (51 000 ft)
Armament
1x M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon & In excess of 5 400 kg (12 000 lbs) of ordnance
First Flight: (D) June 9, 1959 (YF-105A) October 22, 1955
User(s): RETIRED 1980
Production: (Total) 833 Including 610 D variant
Specifications
(Data for F-105G)
Origin: Republic Aviation
Type: Tactical Fighter-Bomber
Crew: 2
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W Turbojet 11 925 kg (26 500 lbs) thrust with afterburner
Dimensions
Span: 34 ft. 11 in.
Height: 20 ft. 2 in.
Length: 67 ft. 0 in.
Weight: 24 561 kg (54 580 lbs) maximum
Performance
Maximum Speed: 1 330 kph (831 mph)
Cruising Speed: 954 kph (596 mph)
Climb Rate:
Range: 2 400 km (1 500 miles)
Service Ceiling: 15 000 m (50 000 ft)
Armament
1x M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon & 6 300 kg (14 000 lbs) of ordnance which included rockets, bombs, missiles, and special weapons (e.g. Nuclear bombs)
First Flight: (YF-105A) October 22, 1955
User(s): RETIRED 1980
Production: (Total) 833
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