The F-105D was first accepted on September 28 1960 and became the major variant
with 610 aircraft being built. Intended for a nuclear strike role but since the nuclear threat
the nose that had been extended approximately 15 inches more than the “B”. The “D”
received strengthened landing gear and an arrestor hook in case it over shot the runway.
During 1966 and 1967 F-105Ds managed to down 25 MiGs using the 20-mm cannon and
2 other using Side-Winder missiles.

One of the 610 F-105Ds built by Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, NY was USAF s/n 62-
4301. It was originally delivered to the 8th TFW (PACAF – Pacific Air Force), Itazuke AB,
Japan on April 25, 1963. In May of the following year the aircraft was assigned 41st Air
Division (PACAF), at Yokota AB, Japan. In January 1968 the aircraft was sent to the 18th
TFW (PACAF), Osan AB, Korea. The aircraft made two brief tours in Vietnam achieving
one unofficial ground kill of an IL-28 bomber. The aircraft’s next stop was at McClellan
AFB, California from April to August 1972 for maintenance. The next 8 years was spent
with the 507th TFG (AFRES – Air Force Reserve) at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma when in July
1980, 62-4301 was reassigned to the 466th TFS (AFRES), Hill AFB, Utah. On January
16, 1984 the aircraft made its final flight when it was delivered to the Aerospace Museum
of California at McClellan Field, the former McClellan AFB, California.

Specifications for the Republic F-105D Thunderchief

Nick Names – Ultra Hog, Super Hog, Iron Butterfly, Lead Sled, Thud

Role – Fighter/Bomber

User Countries – U.S.A.

Crew – (1) pilot

Dimensions
Wingspan - 34 ft 11 in,
Length - 64 ft 3 in,
Height - 19 ft 8 in,
Wing Area - 385 sq. ft.

Performance
Engine- (1) Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet, rated at 17,200 lb.s.t. dry and 26,500 lb.
s.t. with afterburner

Maximum speed -
1,420 mph at 38,000 ft
1,372 mph at 36,000 ft
1,122 mph at 50,000 ft
836 mph at sea level
Stall speed - 208 mph
Initial Climb Rate - 34,500 fpm (clean)
Service Ceiling - 32,100 ft
Combat Ceiling - 48,500 ft
Maximum Ceiling - 50,000 ft
Combat Range - 778 miles
Maximum Range with full external fuel – 2,208 miles

Fuel
Normal Internal Fuel Load - 1,160 US gallons
Internal Weapons Bay - 390 US gallon auxiliary tank
Optional 450 or 650 US gallon external tanks on the fuselage centerline
Plus a 450 US gallon tank on each of the inboard under-wing pylons

Weights
Empty - 27,500 lbs
Combat - 35,637 lbs
Gross - 48,400 lbs
Maximum Take/Off - 52,546 lbs

Armament
(1) 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon with 1028 rounds (fire rate 6,000 rpm)
Up to 8,000 lbs of ordnance could be carried in the internal weapons bay
An additional 6,000 lbs of ordnance could be carried on (4) under-wing pylons and (1)
rack under the fuselage center-line
Up to (4) AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for self-defense
Up to (4) AGM-12 Bullpup (not very effective in Vietnam)
(1) Mk 28 or Mk 43 nuclear weapon
Up to (2) 3,000 lb bombs
Up to (5) 1,000 lb bombs
Up to (16) 750 lb bombs
Mk 77 napalm
ECM pods
2.75 in. rockets

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