Description: SQUADRON SIGNAL F-105 THUNDERCHIEF IN ACTION TFW USAF VIETNAM WILD WEASEL ANG SQUADRON SIGNAL F-105 THUNDERCHIEF IN ACTION TFW USAF VIETNAM ANG SQUADRON SIGNAL AIRCRAFT NUMBER 17 (1974) BY LOU DRENDEL INTRODUCTION (PROTOTYPE YF-105, F-105B THUNDERCHIEF, REPUBLIC FARMINGDALE PRODUCTION PLANT, INSTRUMENT PANEL AND COCKPIT SIDE CONSOLES) THUNDERCHIEF GENEALOGY F-105D F-105F WILD WEASEL (AGM-45 SHRIKE ANTI-RADIATION MISSILE) SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB, BUTBURG AB, WEBB AFB TEXAS, NEW JERSEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD ANG THUD IN COMBAT (VIETNAM WAR, 4TH TFW, ROLLING THUNDEER, NVAF SAM, MIG-17, 388TH TFW, KORAT RTAB, 44TH TFS, 355TH TFW TAKHLI RTAB) GENERAL ELECTRIC M61 VULCAN 20mm GATLING CANNON Mk82 BOMB WITH DAISEY CUTTER FUSE EXTENDER F-105 EJECTION SEAT CENTERLINE BOMB RACK F-105G WILD WESEL SQUADRON WWS. ------------------------------------------------------------ Additional Information from Internet Encyclopedia The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it was the only U.S. aircraft to have been removed from combat due to high loss rates. Originally designed as a single-seat, nuclear-attack aircraft, a two-seat Wild Weasel version was later developed for the specialized Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role against surface-to-air missile sites. The F-105 was commonly known as the "Thud" by its crews. The F-105 was a mid-wing monoplane with a 45� swept wing and tail surfaces. The single engine was fed by two intakes in the wing roots, leaving the nose free for a radome housing the multi-mode radar. One M61 Vulcan (initially designated T-171E3) 20 mm 6-barrel Gatling-style cannon was installed in the left side of the nose. A short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile could be carried on each of the outer wing pylons. The F-105 was designed primarily for low-level interdiction and its low-altitude speed was its greatest asset when dealing with enemy fighters such as the MiG-17/J-5s and MiG-21. The F-105 managed 27.5 air-to-air victories. Based on combat experience, the F-105D was updated with a better ejection seat, additional armor, improved gun sights, and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) pods on the wings The F-105 was one of the primary strike bombers of the Vietnam War; over 20,000 Thunderchief sorties were flown, with 382 aircraft lost (nearly half of the 833 produced) including 62 operational losses. In March 1956, the USAF placed a order for 65 F-105Bs and 17 RF-105Bs. In order to conduct the nuclear mission, an MA-8 fire control system, AN/APG-31 ranging radar, and K-19 gunsight to allow for toss bombing was integrated. The F-105B entered USAF service with the Tactical Air Command's 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing in August 1958. By 1964, the F-105B was relegated to USAF Air National Guard (ANG) squadrons. The F-105D entered service with the 335th TFS in September 1960, although it was not fully operational on the F-105D until early 1961. The first overseas F-105 units formed in West Germany in 1961, with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base in May and the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in October. Both wings had a primary tactical nuclear strike role for NATO. The F-105D was also deployed to the Pacific, with the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena in Okinawa converting in 1962 and the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing converting from 1963. To fill the Air Force requirement for all-weather attack, Republic proposed the F-105D variant in 1957. It added more advanced navigation system, and improved cockpit displays for adverse weather operation. The ability to carry the TX-43 nuclear weapon was also added. The RF-105 reconnaissance development was also restarted; now based on the F-105D. The final 143 Thunderchiefs built were of the two-seat F-105F trainer variant. The rear cockpits of several two-seat F-105Fs were modified under project Commando Nail with an R-14A radar and a radar scope that offered high resolution. These aircraft were used for all-weather and night low-level strikes against especially dangerous targets by a unit from the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1966�1975) dubbed "Ryan's Raiders" starting in April 1967. In an effort to thwart MiG attacks, several F-105Fs were also fitted with Hallicrafters QRC-128 communication jamming system under project Combat Martin. Experience in Vietnam demonstrated the need for a better visual and blind bombing capability. In March 1968, the Air Force ordered development of a new bombing/navigation system incorporating a LORAN receiver, an inertial navigation system, and solid-state electronics for the R-14A radar. Persistent problems with the AN/ARN-85 LORAN receiver resulted in substitution of the AN/ARN-92. This was housed in a long, raised dorsal spine. Known as Thunderstick II aircraft. The EF-105F Wild Weasel III (the EF designation was popularly used but unofficial) supplemented its sensors and electronic jamming equipment with AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles and conventional bombs, giving it an offensive capability lacking in the F-100F. The first of these aircraft flew on 15 January 1966 with five assigned to the 13th TFS at Korat RTAFB and six more to the 354th TFS at Takhli RTAFB. The F-105G incorporated a considerable amount of new SEAD-specific avionics, including an upgraded RHAW system which required a redesign of the wingtips. To free outboard hardpoints for additional weapons, the Westinghouse AN/ALQ-105 electronic countermeasures were permanently installed in two long blisters on the underside of the fuselage. Thirty aircraft were fitted with pylons to carry the AGM-78 Standard anti-radiation missile. FREE scheduling, supersized images and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager.Make your listings stand out with FREE Vendio custom templates! FREE scheduling, supersized images and templates. Get Vendio Sales Manager. Over 100,000,000 served. Get FREE counters from Vendio today!
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Book Title: F-105 THUNDERCHIEF
Language: ENGLISH
Author: DRENDEL
