Was the f105 a good plane?
“It was a great airplane,” said one Thud pilot. “Not much of a fighter, but it was so much faster than everything else.” The 105 could go so fast down low that the canopy would start to soften or become opaque from the heat. But speed was its salvation, particularly when challenged by MiG-17s.
Why was the f105 called the Thud?
According to F-105 pilots and crews, the “Thud” nickname was inspired by the character “Chief Thunderthud” from the Howdy Doody television series. The aircraft’s offensive capabilities were sarcastically referred to as a “Triple Threat” — it could bomb you, strafe you, or fall on you.
Who built the f105?
Republic Aviation
Republic F-105 Thunderchief/Manufacturers
When was the f105 retired?
February 25, 1984
Republic F-105 Thunderchief/Retired
How many Bell helicopters were shot down in Vietnam?
But like any other aircraft, helicopters were vulnerable to ground fire. According to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, a total of 11,846 helicopters were shot down or crashed during the war, resulting in nearly 5,000 American pilots and crew killed.
How many American pilots died in Vietnam?
United States Navy 532 aircraft were lost in combat and 329 more to operational causes, resulting in the deaths of 401 naval aviators, with 64 airmen reported missing and 179 taken prisoner of war.
Was the F-4 Phantom a good plane?
The F-4 was extremely successful in varied multi-missions. ‘It was my most favorite aircraft that I ever flew! It was an awesome aircraft, and we became good friends together, forever! ‘The Phantom takes heat for its maneuverability.
How many F-4 Phantoms were lost in Vietnam?
When combined with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps losses of 233 Phantoms, 761 F-4/RF-4 Phantoms were lost in the Vietnam War. On 28 August 1972, Captain Steve Ritchie became the first USAF ace of the war.
When did the F-105 Thunderchief come into service?
As a follow-on to the Mach 1 capable North American F-100 Super Sabre, the F-105 was also armed with missiles and a rotary cannon; however, its design was tailored to high-speed low-altitude penetration carrying a single nuclear weapon internally. First flown in 1955, the Thunderchief entered service in 1958.
How did the F-105 get the nickname ” Thud “?
Like the F-105B, the F-105D’s early career was plagued with maintenance problems and in-flight failures. The origins of the nickname “Thud” were obscure; some claim that it stood for the sound of an F-105 crashing into the ground. The entire F-105D fleet was grounded in December 1961 and then again in June 1962.
What kind of plane is the Republic Thunderchief?
Republic’s all-weather Mach 2 capable, single-seat supersonic fighter-bomber kit. Features excellent surface engraving, detailed cockpit, 2-piece canopy, wheel wells, gun bay (with Vulcan cannon) and undercarriage, plus separately molded control surfaces and leading and trailing edge flaps.