F-105D Thunderchief

Republic Aviation Corporation began a project in 1951 to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber for the United States Air Force, resulting in the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, nicknamed "Thud" and designed as a nuclear strike weapon. The aircraft served in Japan and West Germany as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1959, Republic produced the improved D model with a more powerful engine than earlier versions. The F-105 saw extensive service during the Vietnam War and later became the workhorse of the Air National Guard. For deployment to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, the aircraft were modified to carry a larger conventional weapons load, and some were modified to attack and destroy surface-to-air missile and radar sites in North Vietnam as "Wild Weasels." The last F-105 was taken out of service in 1984. F-105D serial number 61-0107 was delivered to the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, West Germany, on May 18, 1962, transferred in August 1966 to the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, and transferred on June 26, 1981, to the National Atomic Museum on Kirtland Air Force Base. As configured for exhibit, the aircraft carries the markings of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, whose motto is Tutor et Altor, meaning Protect and Avenge. Its specifications are length 64 feet, wingspan 35 feet, height 19 feet 8 inches, weight 52,838 pounds, range 1800 miles, speed 1300 miles per hour, and armament of one 20mm cannon and approximately 14,000 pounds of ordnance, including conventional and nuclear bombs.

New Mexico · United States