F-105 Thunderchief




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQlCP54wt4A

YouTube - F-105 Thunderchief

Specifications
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attack/bomber
$2,137,000
one
Pratt & Whitney
1 x 26,500 lbs.
28,121 lbs.
52,838 lbs.
1- 20 mm
12,000 lbs.+
64' 5"
34' ll"
585 mph
1,390 mph
32,000 fpm
51,000 feet
2,200 miles
10/22/55
1959




F-105 Thunderchief

F-105 Thunderchief

The F-105 Thunderchief, produced by Republic, is the largest single seat, single jet engine aircraft and the first supersonic tactical fighter.  The aircraft first flew in 1955.

The F-105 Thunderchief project was conceived in 1951 as a tactical fighter/bomber. It was produced in single and two seat versions.  The model B was the single seat initial production model.  The model D was the most produced single seat production model with some 600 aircraft produced. 

The F-105 Thunderchief two seat model was designated model F.  It kept the same wingspan, but the front of the aircraft was lengthened by some three feet to accommodate an Electronic Warfare Officer in the rear seat.  Some 143 model F aircraft were produced. 

The F-105 Thunderchief model G was the two seat "wild weasel" version with an improved radar, armed with anti-radiation missiles that homed in on the enemy radar signal.  The aircraft were used against surface to air missile sites.  Some 200 of the model G version were built.

In Vietnam, beginning in January of 1965, the F-105 Thunderchief was the primary attack fighter of the USAF. It flew 75 percent of all air strikes against North Vietnam in the first four years it was used during the war.

The F-105 Thunderchief was not built for dogfighting. It was built to deliver a large amount of ordnance while flying at high speeds at low levels. However, the aircraft did achieved some success in air-to-air combat. F-105 Thunderchief aircraft downed some 25 enemy fighters during the Vietnam War, while losing 17 of the own in air-to-air combat.

The F-105 could hold 7,656 lbs. of fuel within its fuselage. An additional 7,260 lbs. of fuel could be carried in tanks suspended beneath the wings and fuselage.

When not carrying a bomb internally, the Thunderchief could carry an additional 2,574 lbs of fuel in the space the bomb would occupy.

On December 11, 1959, an F-105 Thunderchief set a closed course speed record over 100 km of 1,216.48 mph.

F-105 Thunderchief aircraft flew for the U.S.A.F. until they were retired in July of 1980. A total of 833 of all types were produced.

F-105 Thunderchief - Century Jet Models
F-105 Thunderchief
Pictured above is the F-105 Thunderchief from a Century Jet Models kit, built by Steve Manzilla. The fuselage is made from epoxy glass and its wings are sheeted foam.  It is available in 76 in. or 82 in lengths with a wingspan of 44 in. It needs a 5 in. fan unit powered by .82 to .91 engines.  Retracts are included with the deluxe kit.  Steve powers his Thunderchief with an O.S. 91VR-DF engine driving a 5 in fan.