The “B” variant of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief was the initial production version and
became operational in May 1958 replacing the F-84 Thunderjet. On December 11, 1959
an F-105B set a world speed record of 1,216.48 mph over a 62 mile course. The F-105B
never saw combat and only 75 were produced before the all-weather “D” variant became
available in 1964. The F-105Bs were transferred to ANG and AFRES units with their last
flight in 1981 when they were sent to be scrapped. At least five aircraft were spared and
sent to museums.

On May 26, 1958 the first F-105 received by 335th Fighter-Day Squadron, 4th Fighter-
Day Wing was the one and only F-105B-6RE built and was serial 54-111. It was
considered the first F-105 delivered to an operational unit. Their job was to put the
Thunderchief through its paces and find any deficiencies, which they did. On July 1, 1958
the unit was renamed the 4th TFW and the 335th became the 335th TFS. In early 1964
the 4th TFW transitioned to the F-105D/F.

Republic F-105B Thunderchief Specifications

Crew – (1) pilot

First Flight – May 26, 1956

Dimensions
Length – 63 ft 1 in   (19.23 m)
Height – 19 ft 8 in   (5.99 m)
Wingspan – 34 ft 11 in   (10.64 m)
Wing Area – 385 sq ft   (35.76 sq m)

Weight
Empty - 25,855 lb   (11,728 kg)
Normal Combat - 34,870 lb   (15,817 kg)
Maximum Take-off - 46,998 lb   (21,318 kg)

Performance
Engine – (1) Pratt & Whitney J75-P-3/J75-P-5 turbojet, rated at 17,200 lb.s.t. (7,802 kg)
dry and 23,500 lb.s.t. (10,659 kg) with afterburner.

Fuel
Internal - 900 US gal   (3,407 L).
Maximum With External Tanks – 2,510 US gallons   (9,500 l).

Speed
Maximum “clean” – 1,376 mph   (2,214 km/h) @ 36,000 ft (10,973 m)
Sea Level - 864 mph   (1,390 km/h)
Normal Cruise - 585 mph   (941 km/h)
Stall - 204 mph   (328 km/h)
Time to 35,000 ft   (10,668 m) - 1 minute
Service Ceiling - 32,750 ft   (9,982 m)
Combat Ceiling - 48,100 ft   (14,661 m)
Combat Range - 744 miles   (1,197 km)
Maximum range - 2,228 miles   (3,586 km)

Armament (regular F-105B)
(1) 20-mm M61A1 rotary cannon with 1028 rounds.
Up to 8,000 lbs   (3,628 kg) of ordnance in the internal weapons bay. Plus an optional
6000 lbs   (2,721 kg) of ordnance on external weapons racks (2) under each wing (1)
center-line of the fuselage belly.

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