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. "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.