Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-105>HA2516

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

In late 1965 Republic F-105D 62-4284 deployed to the Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base with the 354th TFS/355th TFW. On March 10, 1967 while flying F-105D 62-4284 Captain Max Brestel shot down two MiG-17s. This was the first time during the Vietnam War that an F-105 shot down two aircraft on the same mission. On October 27, 1967 Captain Basel made 62-4284 a triple-MiG killer when he downed another MiG-17. F-105D 62-4284 survived Vietnam but was lost on March 12, 1976 during a training mission in Oklahoma.

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