Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-105>HA2501
F-105D Thunderchief 34th TFS, 388th TFW, Korat RTAB, August 1967 "Lt. David B. Waldrop"
General Background
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief first entered service in 1958. It had been designed for high-speed low-level penetration to deliver a nuclear bomb but was converted to deliver conventional payloads. It was the heaviest U.S. single-engined fighter ever made and could carry a greater bomb load than the B-17, B-24 or B-29. Best known for its action in Vietnam the F-105 flew over 20,000 combat missions with the loss of 382 aircraft out of the 833 produced.
The Aircraft
With over 20,000 F-105 missions flown in Vietnam the most famous F-105D action came on August 2, 1967 when the 335th and 388th TFWs stationed at Korat AFB in Thailand heavily damaged the Paul Doumer Bridge north of Hanoi. This was a major artery for re-supply between China and North Vietnam. As part of the 388th TFW the 34th TFS flew F-105Ds from June 1966 until May 1969. On August 23, 1967 while flying an F-105D Lt. David B. Waldrop is credited with downing a MiG-17. Some say he actually shot down 2 aircraft.
Specifications :
| Nick Names: | Ultra Hog, Super Hog, Iron Butterfly, Lead Sled, Thud |
| Role: | Fighter/Bomber |
| User Countries: | U.S.A |
| Crew: | (1) pilot |
| Performance | |
| Engine: | (1) Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet, rated at 17,200 lb.s.t. dry and 26,500 lb.s.t. with afterburner |
| Maximum Speed: | 1,420 mph at 38,000 ft |
| 1,372 mph at 36,000 ft | |
| 1,122 mph at 50,000 ft | |
| 836 mph at sea level | |
| Stall speed: | 208 mph |
| Initial Climb Rate: | 34,500 fpm (clean) |
| Service Ceiling: | 32,100 ft |
| Combat Ceiling: | 48,500 ft |
| Maximum Ceiling: | 50,000 ft |
| Combat Range: | 778 miles |
| Maximum Range with full external fuel: | 2,208 miles |
| Weight | |
| Emptyt: | 27,500 lbs |
| Combat: | 35,637 lbs |
| Gross: | 48,400 lbs |
| Maximum Take/Off: | 352,546 lbs |
| Fuel | |
| Normal Internal Fuel Load: | 1,160 US gallons |
| Internal Weapons Bay: | 390 US gallon auxiliary tank |
| Optional 450 or 650 US gallon external tanks on the fuselage centerline | |
| Plus a 450 US gallon tank on each of the inboard under-wing pylons | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wing Span: | 34 ft 11 in. |
| Length: | 64 ft 3 in. |
| Height: | 19 ft 8 in. |
| Wing Area: | 385 sq. ft. |
| Armament: | (1) 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon with 1028 rounds (fire rate 6,000 rpm) |
| Up to 8,000 lbs of ordnance could be carried in the internal weapons bay | |
| An additional 6,000 lbs of ordnance could be carried on (4) under-wing pylons and (1) rack under the fuselage center-line | |
| Up to (4) AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for self-defense | |
| Up to (2) 3,000 lb bombs | |
| Up to (5) 1,000 lb bombs | |
| Up to (16) 750 lb bombs | |
| Mk 77 napalm, ECM pods, 2.75 in. rockets |