Republic F-105 Thunderchief facts for kids

The F-105 Thunderchief was a very fast and powerful bomber aircraft. It was used by the United States Air Force, especially during the Vietnam War. This amazing jet first flew in 1955 and joined the military in 1958.

The Thunderchief was built to fly at high speeds and carry many bombs. It was mainly used for attacking ground targets. Later, other planes like the F-4 Phantom II and the F-111 Raven started taking over its bombing duties.

However, the F-105 found a new and very important job. It became known as a "Wild Weasel" aircraft. These special F-105s were equipped with electronic gear. Their mission was to find and destroy enemy radar and missile sites. This was a very dangerous but crucial job that helped protect other aircraft.

Flying High: The Thunderchief's Role

The F-105 Thunderchief was designed for speed and strength. It could fly very fast, even at low altitudes, which helped it avoid enemy defenses. Its main job was to deliver bombs accurately to targets on the ground.

Bombing Missions

During the Vietnam War, F-105s flew many bombing missions over North Vietnam. They carried a large amount of bombs and could fly long distances. These missions were often very risky due to heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. The pilots who flew the Thunderchief were known for their bravery.

The "Wild Weasel" Mission

After a while, the F-105 took on a new, specialized role called "Wild Weasel." These planes were modified to find and attack enemy radar stations and surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites. They carried special electronic equipment that could detect enemy radar signals. Once a radar was found, the Wild Weasel F-105 would launch missiles to destroy it. This dangerous job helped clear the way for other bombers.

Design and Features

The F-105 Thunderchief was a single-engine jet. It was one of the largest single-seat, single-engine combat aircraft ever built. Its powerful engine allowed it to reach very high speeds. The plane was also designed to carry its weapons inside a bomb bay, which helped it fly faster and more efficiently.

It could carry different types of weapons, including bombs, rockets, and missiles. For its Wild Weasel role, it carried special missiles designed to home in on enemy radar signals. The F-105 was a tough and durable aircraft, able to withstand a lot of damage and still return to base.

Legacy of the Thunderchief

The F-105 Thunderchief served for many years, even after newer aircraft were introduced. It played a vital role in the Vietnam War, especially as a Wild Weasel. The last F-105s were retired from active service in the early 1980s. Today, some Thunderchiefs are on display in museums, reminding us of their important history.

Images for kids

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  Republic YF-105A, AF Ser. No. 54-0098, the first of two prototypes

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  A USAF F-105F trainer and a F-105D with Mount Fuji in the background

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  Front view of Republic F-105B with avionics layout

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  F-105D Thunderchiefs refueling from a Boeing KC-135 tanker

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  The cockpit of an F-105 Thunderchief

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  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.

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  F-105D refueling probe detail. The -D model had two types of in-flight refueling equipment: a probe (for the drogue) and a receptacle (for the boom).

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  Republic F-105D of 36 Tactical Fighter Wing based at Bitburg, West Germany, in 1962

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  F-105s take off on a mission to bomb North Vietnam, 1966

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  Location of the Thud Ridge (21°16′47″N 105°49′37″E / 21.27972°N 105.82694°E / 21.27972; 105.82694) and the MiG airfield on its southern tip

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  The 24-ship flyover formation, Diamonds on Diamonds, flew at the F-105 retirement at Hill Air Force Base, Utah on 4 June 1983

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  drawings of F-105 variants

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  F-105G on display at American Legion Post, Blissfield, Michigan

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  F-105D 60-0508, formerly with 49th TFW, at Wings Over the Rockies Museum, Denver, Colorado

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  Drawings of Republic F-105 Thunderchief

See also

In Spanish: Republic F-105 Thunderchief para niños