F105 Thunderchief Units of the Vietnam War Combat Aircraft

The F-105 was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the USAF to great extent during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). Despite pilots' initial apprehensions about the aircraft and a variety of problems with early designs, these planes ultimately became the primary strike bomber over North Vietnam in the early stages of the Vietnam War. This book explores the crucial importance of the Thunderchief, deemed the "Thud" by many of its crews, in the Rolling Thunder campaign; it explains the pioneering suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) methods developed by the F-105 'Wild Weasel' crews. Using first-hand narratives wherever possible, the text captures the essence of flying the "Thud" against heavy AAA, SAM and MiG defences in conditions where constricting Rules of Engagement made the pilots' task virtually impossible at times. The book also documents the other demanding missions flown over Laos and South Vietnam. The author also gives an extensive overview of the aircraft's strengths and difficulties, the development of wartime tactics and the heroic accomplishments of a selection of its aircrew. COM 84 1......Page 1 COM 84 2......Page 2 COM 84 3......Page 3 COM 84 4......Page 4 COM 84 5......Page 5 COM 84 6......Page 6 COM 84 7......Page 7 COM 84 8......Page 8 COM 84 9......Page 9 COM 84 10......Page 10 COM 84 11......Page 11 COM 84 12......Page 12 COM 84 13......Page 13 COM 84 14......Page 14 COM 84 15......Page 15 COM 84 16......Page 16 COM 84 17......Page 17 COM 84 18......Page 18 COM 84 19......Page 19 COM 84 20......Page 20 COM 84 21......Page 21 COM 84 22......Page 22 COM 84 23......Page 23 COM 84 24......Page 24 COM 84 25......Page 25 COM 84 26......Page 26 COM 84 27......Page 27 COM 84 28......Page 28 COM 84 29......Page 29 COM 84 30......Page 30 COM 84 31......Page 31 COM 84 32......Page 32 COM 84 33......Page 33 COM 84 34......Page 34 COM 84 35......Page 35 COM 84 36......Page 36 COM 84 37......Page 37 COM 84 38......Page 38 COM 84 39......Page 39 COM 84 40......Page 40 COM 84 41......Page 41 COM 84 42......Page 42 COM 84 43......Page 43 COM 84 44......Page 44 COM 84 45......Page 45 COM 84 46......Page 46 COM 84 47......Page 47 COM 84 48......Page 48 COM 84 49......Page 49 COM 84 50......Page 50 COM 84......Page 51 "Facing the most formidably concentrated air defences in history, pilots of the F-105D flew against North Vietnamese targets day after day during the 43 months of Operation Rolling Thunder. In the latter stages of the war, two-seat F-105F/G crews continued to duel with surface-to-air missile sites as they attempted to protect American strike aircraft from North Vietnam's devastating anti-aircraft missiles. In all, 397 F-105s were lost in Vietnam out of a total production of 753 - the heaviest losses of any USAF fighter in the conflict. Conceived as a supersonic striker, with the capability to carry a tactical nuclear weapon internally, the F-105 in Vietnam had its bomb-bay filled with extra fuel tanks for its huge J75 engine. Bombs were instead hung under its small wings and 64-ft long fuselage, severely limiting manoeuvrability. A lack of self-sealing fuel tanks and a very vulnerable hydraulic system made the aircraft highly susceptible to combat damage. Nevertheless, F-105 'bombers' shot down 27 MiG fighters in 1966-67 while they delivered a high proportion of the half-million tons of ordnance dropped at that time."--Back cover Facing the most formidably concentrated air defences in history, pilots of the F-105D flew against North Vietnamese targets day after day during the 43 months of Operation Rolling Thunder. Despite its limited maneuverability and the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks, which made it susceptible to combat damage, the'bombers'shot down 27 MiG fighters in 1966 – 67. This book illustrates the importance of the Thunderchief in the Rolling Thunder campaign, including the pioneering suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) methods developed by the F-105'Wild Weasel'crews. Discussing the aircraft's strengths and weaknesses and using first-hand narratives, Peter Davies captures the essence of flying the'Thud'against heavy defences, and describes the development of wartime tactics and the heroic accomplishments of a selection of its aircrew.