#f 105d

Thud!

F-105 designed to carry single nuclear weapon internally at high speed low altitude. It became largest single-engine combat aircraft ever to enter production. First flight: 22 Oct 1955

Entered service: 1958 (USAF)

Primary role: Nuclear strike → later conventional strike

Republic F-105 Thunderchief (“Thud”) was a USAF supersonic fighter-bomber built during Cold War. one of largest single-engine combat aircraft ever flown and became USAF’s primary strike aircraft in early years of Vietnam War.

F-105D piloted by Major Ralph Kuster Jr of the 469th/13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Figther Wing shooting down a VPAF MiG-17 on the 3rd of June 1967.

"The underside of the MIG’s left wing exploded two-thirds of the way between the fuselage and the external underslung fuel tank. Kuster relaxed back stick pressure as the fire and debris from the MIG engulfed the F-105. It passed about 25 feet below the MIG, as the MIG rolled inverted and crashed"

@joe_Blilllib4090 via X

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F-105D with Drop Tanks and AiM-45 shrike radar homing missile.

EB-66 working as a bombadier and pathfinder for 4 F-105 Thuds during a bombing mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Four U.S. Air Force Republic F-105D Thunderchief aircraft of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, each drop six M117 343 kg bombs over Vietnam during "Operation Rolling Thunder".

F-105Ds refueling en route to North Vietnam in 1965.

An F-105D hit by an SA-2 missile.

Here is the last image of Captain Robert M. Elliot's 34th TFS F-105D Thunderchief trailing smoke after an SA-2 detonated nearby over Hanoi of February 14th 1968

The damage was fatal, Elliot was still in the aircraft when it struck the ground and was KIA