Republic JF-105B "Thunderchief"

Republic Aviation began a project in 1951 to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the F-84F, resulting in the F-105 Thunderchief, later nicknamed the Thud. The prototype YF-105A first flew on October 22, 1955, but the first F-105D did not fly until June 9, 1959. F-105s were produced in the single-seat F-105B and F-105D series and in the two-seat F-105F model, and some F-105Fs were later modified into F-105Gs. A total of 833 Thunderchiefs of all types were built, including 610 F-105Ds. The F-105D could carry over 12,000 pounds of ordnance, with up to 8,000 pounds carried internally in the bomb bay, a heavier bomb load than a World War II B-17. The F-105D was used extensively in Vietnam and flew 75 percent of the air strikes against North Vietnam during its first four years. The last F-105D was withdrawn from Air Force service on July 12, 1980. This aircraft was flown by Lt. Col. James Risner, commander of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, while on TDY to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, from January through September 1965. Risner was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese on September 16, 1965, and eight years later was released with other POWs as a result of the January 28, 1973 agreement.

Lackland AFB, Texas · United States