A great airplane that carried out the bulk of what amounted to strategic bombing in route pack six during Vietnam. The THUD was the largest single engine fighter that the USAF has ever operated. It was developed during the mid 50’s with the first prototypes coming into service in 1954. The THUD was typical of the Air Force’s preference in fighters during this era. With its high wing loading the THUD was designed with high speed in mind instead of maneuverability, one of its primary missions was to deliver a single nuclear weapon at low level. During Vietnam the THUD D model flew over 20,000 sorties as our primary strike fighter in the north and the two-seat G model armed with the AGM –45 Shrike was used extensively as a Wild Weasel to suppress enemy air defenses. The Thud even had success against North Vietnamese Migs, shooting down 27.5, 24.5 with the 20 MM cannon and 3 with the AIM-9 Sidewinder. After Vietnam the THUD that had suffered 397 combat and operational losses was rapidly withdrawn from active service and transferred to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The last ANG G models flew in the 128 TFS, Dobbins AFB, GA until 1983 and the last Reserve aircraft flew with the 466 TFS, Hill AFB, UT retiring the type in Feb1984
For a great book on the Thud in combat and a view of why the Air Force Air Staff is what it is check out Thud Ridge by Col Jack Broughton.
"YGBSM"
For A great THUD web site check out http://www.burrusspta.org/thud.html
F-105 D/G Specs
Crew 1 D, 2 G
Length 64 ft 4 inches
Height 19 ft 8 inches
Wingspan 34 ft 11 inches
Empty Weight 27,500 lbs
Max Weight 52,546 lbs
Power plant Pratt and Whitney J-75 afterburning turbojet, 26,600 lbs thrust in A/B
Max Speed Mach 2.08
Armament 1 20 MM Vulcan cannon, up to 14,500 lbs of ordnance, Aim-9 Sidewinder
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