Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-105>HA2503
F-105 Thunderchief "Memphis Belle II"
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
The F-105Ds of the 357th TFS, 355th TFW were based at RTAB (Royal Thai Air Base) Takhli, Thailand from 1966 to 1970. The Thud with serial number 60-0504 had been given the name “Memphis Belle II” to honor the WWII B-17. The F-105 pilot was Major Buddy Jones who is credited with 2 MiG-17 victories. The aircraft is on display at the USAF Museum wearing some markings below the cockpit. The two red stars represent the 2 MiG-17 kills and a couple of campaign ribbons. Also the Belle herself painted in her familiar blue bathing suit.
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 (4) AGM-12 Bullpup (not very effective in Vietnam) | (1) Mk 28 or Mk 43 nuclear weapon |
| 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 |