Featured Aircraft for Summer 1999

F105 Thunderchief

 Previous Featured Aircraft
Spring 1999: B58 Hustler
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, which later gained the affectionate nickname "Thud". Although the prototype YF-105A made its first flight on October 22, 1955, the first production aircraft, an F-105B, was not delivered to the United States Air Force (USAF) until May 27, 1958.

A supersonic aircraft capable of carrying conventional and nuclear weapons internally as well as externally, the F-105B was the heaviest, most complex fighter in the USAF inventory when it became operational. F-105s were produced only in the "B," "D" and "F" series (later, some "F"s were modified to become F-105Gs). Of the 833 Thunderchiefs built, only 75 were produced as F-105Bs.
 
SPECIFICATIONS
  • Span: 34 ft. 11 in.
  • Length: 63 ft. 1 in.
  • Height: 19 ft. 8 in.
  • Weight: 46,998 lbs. maximum
  • Armament: One M61 Vulcan 22 mm cannon, plus 8,000 lbs.of mixed ordnance including conventional bombs, rocket packs, missiles, and internally and externally carried special weapons.
  • Engine: One J75-P-5 of 23,500 lbs. thrust with afterburner
  • Crew: One
  • Cost: $5,650,000
PERFORMANCE
  • Maximum speed: 1,375 mph/1,195 knots
  • Cruising speed: 581 mph/505 knots
  • Range: 2,200 statute miles/1,912 nautical miles maximum
  • Service ceiling: 48,100 ft.
Information from USAF Museum Site