Service History of 59-1759
- Delivered: January 31, 1961
- Feb 1961 – 4520th CCTW, TAC, Nellis AFB, NV
- Sept 1963 – Returned to Republic Aviation, Farmingdale, NY
- May 1964 – 23rd TFW, TAC, McConnell AFB, KS
- June 1965 – 355th TFW TFW, PACAF, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand
- Oct 1965 – 23rd TFW, TAC, McConnell AFB, KS
- Nov 1965 – 18th TFW, PACAF, Kadena AB, Japan
- Aug 1966 – 388th TFW, PACAF, Korat RTAFB, Thailand, with deployments to Takhli RTAFB, Thailand
- Oct 1969 – 355th TFW TFW, PACAF, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand
- Oct 1970 – 18th TFW, PACAF, Kadena AB, Japan
- April 1971 – 23rd TFW, TAC, McConnell AFB, KS
- Mar 1982 – To Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and dropped from the inventory
Designed to be a supersonic all weather nuclear strike fighter
during the “Cold War” period, the F-105 followed in the
footsteps of Republic’s renowned P-47 Thunderbolt of
WWII and their post-war F-84 jet aircraft. All were Fighter
Bombers which famously supported our troops on the ground.
Affectionately called the “Thud,” the ‘105 became the Air
Force workhorse during the Viet Nam War.
Single Seat All Weather Fighter-Bomber with Thunderstick II modification
Service History of 60-0471
- Delivered: June 12, 1961
- June 1961 – 36th TFW, USAFE, Hahn AB and Ramstein AB, West Germany with deployments to Bitburg AB, West Germany and Wheelus AB, Libya
- Jan 1966 – 49th TFW, USAFE, Spandahlem AB, West Germany with deployments to Bitburg AB, West Germany and Wheelus AB, Libya
- Oct 1966 – 23rd TFW, TAC, McConnell AFB, KS with deployments to George AFB, CA
- July 1972 – 561st TFS, TAC, McConnell AFB, KS (modified to Thunderstick II standard)
- Sept 1972 – 506th TFG, AFRes, Carswell AFB, TX
- Feb 1976 – 457th TFS, AFRes, Carswell AFB, TX
- Nov 1981 – To AMARC, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and dropped from the inventory
Designed to be a supersonic tactical bomber, the F-105 was one of the last of Republics “Thunder” jets. Successor to WWIIs P-47 Thunderbolt and the Korean conflict’s F-84 Thunderjet, the F-105 Thunderchief or “Thud” was one of the Century Series fighters for the Air Force. During the Vietnam War the Thud spent most of it’s time as a bomber, but they did manage to shoot down at least 29 MiGs.
In an effort to improve all weather and night bombing accuracy of the F-105 the Thunderstick II program was developed. By installing Long Range Navigation radar (LORAN) and fine tuning associated systems, they were able to get bombs to within 50’ of the target from 15,000 ft. All of the T-Stick II aircraft were easily identifiable by the added saddleback spine seen here.
Following service with the 561st TFS, out of McConnell AFB, Kansas, all surviving Thunderstick II aircraft were transferred to the 457th TFS of the Air Force Reserve and were retired by the end of 1981. 0471 was last assigned to COL. R. Scheer and Crew Chief MSG J. Moor. “She” accumulated 4,478 flying hours during her illustrious career.
