0080 Republic F-105D Thunderchilef

In 1951 Republic Aviation began a project to develope a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the Republic F-84 Thunderstreak.The result was the Republic F-105 Thunderchief later affectionately nicknamed the "Thud" the prototype Republic YF-105 THunderchief first flew in October 1955,but the first Republic F-105D Thunderchief did not fly until June 1959.A total of 833 Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs of all types were built,including 610 Republic F-105D Thunderchiefs.

 

The U.S.Air Force sent Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs to Southeast Asia shortly after the Tonkin Gulf incident in the summer of 1964.The U.S.Air Force operated the Republic F-105D Thunderchief extensively in the air campaign againsat North Vietnam called Rolling Thunder.Although designed as a nuclear strike aircraft,the Republic F-105 THunderchief could carry a total of over 12,000 pounds of conventional ordance--a heavier bomb load than a Woprld War II Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was gradully replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II,and the U.S. Air Force withdrew the last Republic F-105 Thunderchief from service in 1980.

 

The nickname Memphis Belle II refers to the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress that carried the same art work durin World War II.

Done