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
became less likely the role became a high-speed bomber. The Pitot tube was moved to
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.

Republic F-105D s/n 59-1822 was assigned to the 44th TFS 355th TFW with the tail
code RE. The 44th TFS was referred to as “Yankee Air Pirates” by their enemy. This
aircraft was flown by Major Don Kutyna of Polish decent so he named 59-1822 “The
Polish Glider” and he was given the nickname “Yankee Air Polack”. Major Kutyna flew
120 combat missions over Vietnam. Later Kutyna became Commander of the Air Force
Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colorado from 1987 – 1990. From 1990 until 1992 he
was Commander in Chief of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the
United States Space Command. In 1992 after 35 years in the military he retired as a
General. 59-1882 was retired to the Polish Aviation Museum in Cracow, Poland awaiting
restoration.

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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