Did the F-105 have a gun?
As a follow-on to the Mach 1 capable North American F-100 Super Sabre, the F-105 was also armed with missiles and a rotary cannon; however, its design was tailored to high-speed low-altitude penetration carrying a single nuclear weapon internally.
Why is the F-105 called the thud?
Some said “Thud” echoed the sound of an F-105 crashing in the jungle. Some attributed it to Chief Thunderthud on the “Howdy Doody Show.” As with many such sobriquets, Thud quickly became a term of endearment. The -105 might be a bear to maintain, but the pilots loved its power, speed, and resilience.
What missiles did the F-105 use?
The F-105D was also capable of carrying 2.75-inch rocket pods, napalm canisters, as well as four AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared homing air-to-air missiles. The M61A1 Gatling-type, 20-mm cannon proved highly effective in the dual role of air-to-air combat and ground strafing.
How many F-105s shot down in Vietnam?
27.5 kills
The F-105 was one of the primary attack aircraft of the Vietnam War; over 20,000 Thunderchief sorties were flown, with 382 aircraft lost including 62 operational (non-combat) losses (out of the 833 produced). Although less agile than smaller MiG fighters, USAF F-105s were credited with 27.5 kills.
How good is the F-105?
It operated well from sea level to 15,000ft, and in military power the jet would run faster than any other aircraft at low level — it just didn’t turn much. It also had a great gun and was a very stable bomber that could take hits and come home.” Pilots for the F-105 squadrons came from a range of backgrounds.
Are there any F-105 still flying?
By 1970, the Air Force had withdrawn the F-105D from combat, though the Wild Weasels soldiered on until the end of the war. Ninety-six F-105s remain relatively intact in museums, on display at various Air Force bases or awaiting destruction at the Davis-Monthan boneyard in Arizona. Not a one is flyable.
Are there any f111s still flying?
The operational career of the F-111 came to an end on Dec. 3, 2010 at RAAF Amberley, near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, as a crew in an F-111C (serial number A8-125) of the Royal Australian Air Force touched down for the aircraft’s last landing. The RAAF had operated the F-111 since 1973.
What aircraft was known as the thud?
F-105 Thunderchief
In 1951 Republic Aviation began a project to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the F-84F. The result was the F-105 Thunderchief, later affectionately nicknamed the “Thud.” The prototype YF-105A first flew in October 1955, but the first F-105D did not fly until June 1959.
How many pounds of bombs can a F-105 carry?
The USAF operated the F-105D extensively in the air campaign against North Vietnam called Rolling Thunder. Although designed as a nuclear strike aircraft, the F-105 could carry a total of over 12,000 pounds of conventional ordnance — a heavier bomb load than a World War II B-17.
What is the difference between the F-105B and F 105D?
The armament and weapon load was the same as the F-105B, but the entire 5,450 kilogram (12,000 pounds) weapon load could now be carried externally. The F-105D could also carry four “Sidewinder” AAMs or four “Bullpup” ASMs.
What kind of weapons does the F-105F have?
F-105F with armament layout in August 1964; including 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon rounds, 2.75 in (70 mm) rockets, Bullpup and Sidewinder missiles, general-purpose bomb, cluster bombs, LAU-3A Launchers, flare and chaff dispensers and drop tanks.
What was the F-105 Thunderchief used for in Vietnam?
Republic F-105 Thunderchief. The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was an American 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.