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Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-105>HA2506

F-105D Thunderchief 354th TFS/355th TFW, Thailand, 11th August 1967, "Dropping the Doumer Bridge"
HA2506
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
On 11 August 1967, the 355th conducted a raid on the Hanoi railroad and highway bridge. Thirty-six strike aircraft led by the 355th dropped 94 tons of bombs and destroyed one rail span and two highway spans on the northeast side of the bridge. The superstructure was damaged and the highway portion on the north side of the bridge, where it crossed the island in the river, was cut. This stopped the movement of an average of 26 trains per day with an estimated capacity of 5,950 short tons. Two aircraft were damaged, but no pilots were lost.
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