A Brief History of the F-105 Thunderchief
The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was an all-weather, supersonic, low-level penetration fighter/bomber. It was designed in the 1950s to replace Republic’s F-84F Thunderstreak. It was the largest, heaviest, fastest single-engine fighter of its time, and the only one to have an internal bomb bay.
Designed for the Cold War Mission
The Thunderchief was designed as a nuclear tactical strike bomber. As part of a retaliatory strike, F-105s would be launched from U.S. or N.A.T.O. bases in Europe. Their mission: Make a supersonic low-level dash to targets in the Soviet Union where their pilots would deploy the nuclear weapon carried within the plane’s internal bomb bay. Post-strike, pilots would attempt to fly to a friendly airfield, if any remained. Generally, these strike missions were regarded as a one-way trip. It was highly unlikely the aircraft, or any airbases, would survive a nuclear attack.
Vietnam
During the Vietnam War, the F-105 was re-purposed as a conventional fighter/bomber, and quickly became the USAF’s primary strike bomber. Over 20,000 F-105 sorties were launched. F-105D pilots flew over 75% of the bombing missions flown in Vietnam, while F-105G “Wild Weasels” and their crews destroyed Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) and launch sites. F-105 pilots flew against the most dangerous, heavily defended targets in the war. They were also credited with the highest number of gun kills during the war.
The Thunderchief was gradually replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. The last F-105D was removed from USAF service in July of 1980.
“Warpath”
By the looks of it, someone’s going to have a really bad day…
“Warpath” is my original 3D digital painting featuring Republic F-105D Thunderchiefs. My work took inspiration from a strike mission flown by the 469th TFS and 34th TFS on October 22, 1967, when they were fragged to strike a segment of the Cau Dau railway in Route Pack 6, North Vietnam. Loaded with M117 750 pound general purpose bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinders, they climb to rendezvous with their tanker to continue into RP 6 and their target.
“Crossbow Three”
“Crossbow Three” shows a portion of the air battle on 23-August-1967 after Crossbow flight successfully bombed the Yen Vien rail yards in north Vietnam. My artwork shows the F-105D Thunderchief flown by 1LT David Waldrop (Crossbow Three, flying F-105D 61-0132, “Hanoi Special”) as he attacks a MiG-17 that’s gone after another Thunderchief.
F-105D 61-0132 Profile
My 36×12 inch aircraft profile features the F-105D Thunderchief flown by then-1Lt. David Waldrop, who nicknamed his plane “Hanoi Express.” On 23-August-1967, while he was assigned to the 34th TFS, he flew his 53rd mission over North Vietnam as “Crossbow 3,” part of an Alpha-strike force consisting of three other F-105 flights. After bombing the Yen Vien railroad yards (the largest in Vietnam), Crossbow flight engaged MiG-17s that attacked other F-105s. With an inoperative gun-sight, Lt. Waldrop pressed his attack on two MiG-17s which he destroyed with his 20mm Vulcan Cannon. Although one of the MiG kills was later denied by Seventh Air Force, he was awarded a cluster for his Silver Star Medal for his actions on that date.
“Chiefs”
F-105B Thunderchiefs flown by the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron
“Chiefs” features a formation of gleaming F-105B Thunderchiefs with their early natural metal finish. These ‘105s wear the markings of the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron (“The Chiefs”) at Seymour Johnson AFB.
The 335th TFS is an important part of Thunderchief history. They evaluated the ‘105 as an aircraft, and became the first squadron to accept it into operational service.
This fine art print is also available as a run of 20 hand-signed and numbered limited edition prints. Click to button for more information and to order yours.
335th TFS (“Chiefs”) F-105B Thunderchief Profile
I created this 36×12 inch F-105B Thunderchief profile to compliment “Chiefs.” This unique profile shows the squadron markings of the 335th TFS “Chiefs,” with the tail color and distinctive 335th TFS Chiefs emblem carried at the top of the illustration.
“Bringing the Thunder”
“Bringing the Thunder” depicts F-105D Thunderchief formations climbing to meet their tanker after launching from Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, for their strike mission in North Vietnam. The Thunderchiefs featured here wear the markings of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron (“The Dragons”).
“Full Blower Bugout”
Imagine walking in a calm forest. A faint whistling in the distance suddenly becomes a crushing “BOOM!” as raging Pratt & Whitney J-75 engines of two Thunderchiefs roar overhead! That sets the scene for “Full Blower Bugout,” which features two F-105D Thunderchiefs egressing from their strike target at tree-top level.
One former Thud pilot wrote to tell me, “That even looks like ‘Indian Territory.'” Another pilot wrote, “That looks loud!”
“Four Came Home”
“Four Came Home” depicts a formation of F-105D Thunderchiefs in an eschelon left formation, with the lead initiating his break, after returning to base after a successful strike mission.
“One Flew West”
“One Flew West” is a tribute to the 214 F-105 Airmen who were killed in action, missing in action, or became Prisoners of War and did not survive captivity.
Republic F-105D Thunderchief Profile (61-0176 “The Jolly Roger”)
I’ve featured F-105D 61-0176 (“The Jolly Roger”) in this 36X12 Inch Thunderchief profile. 0176 was the mount of Maj. R. Rogers, 357th TFS/355th TFW.
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