The F-105 Thunderchief wasn't just an aircraft; it was a statement. Designed as a supersonic nuclear strike bomber, the "Thud" was a beast of burden, capable of delivering devastating payloads at blistering speeds. But its story is far more complex than just raw power. This documentary unveils the fascinating journey of the F-105, from its ambitious beginnings to its grueling service in Southeast Asia.
The Birth of a Legend: Trace the development of the F-105, from drawing board concepts to the cutting-edge technology that defined its era. Understand the engineering marvel that made the "Thud" a force to be reckoned with.
Vietnam War Crucible: Experience the F-105's baptism by fire in the Vietnam War. Discover its crucial role in bombing campaigns, its resilience in the face of intense enemy fire, and the bravery of the pilots who flew it into harm's way.
"Thud" Tactics & Missions: Uncover the tactical doctrines and daring missions that defined the F-105's operational history. From "Wild Weasel" SAM suppression to deep interdiction strikes, witness the versatility and adaptability of this iconic jet.
Pilot Perspectives: Hear a dramatic firsthand account from a courageous pilot who strapped into the "Thud" cockpit.
Stunning Archival Footage: Immerse yourself in rare and captivating archival footage of the F-105 in action. See the "Thud" soar, strike, and return, showcasing its raw power and imposing presence.
Expert Analysis: Gain insights from leading aviation historians and experts who dissect the F-105's design, capabilities, and legacy within the broader context of Cold War air power.
However, the F-105 was not alone in the skies. This documentary expands beyond the "Thud" to explore other iconic Cold War jets that played pivotal roles in shaping the aerial landscape of the era. We'll briefly touch upon two other legendary aircraft:
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter: The "Missile With a Man In It" 🌟 Known for its sleek, needle-like design and blistering speed, the F-104 Starfighter was a Mach 2 interceptor that served with numerous air forces around the globe. Discover its unique characteristics and its contribution to Cold War air defense.
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo: The Long-Range Guardian 🧙♂️ A powerful and versatile aircraft, the F-101 Voodoo served as a long-range interceptor, reconnaissance platform, and even a fighter-bomber. Explore its diverse roles and its significance in projecting American air power across vast distances.
The Cold War was a period of intense technological innovation, driven by the constant threat of global conflict. The jets featured in this documentary represent the pinnacle of aviation engineering from that era – machines built to deter aggression, project power, and, if necessary, wage war in the skies.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 (F-105F: 2)
Length: 64 ft 4+3⁄4 in (19.628 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 11+1⁄4 in (10.649 m)
Height: 19 ft 8 in (5.99 m)
Wing area: 385 sq ft (35.8 m2)
Aspect ratio: 3.18
Airfoil: root: NACA 65A005.5; tip: NACA 65A003.7
Empty weight: 26,855 lb (12,181 kg)
Gross weight: 35,637 lb (16,165 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 52,838 lb (23,967 kg)
Fuel capacity: 770 US gal (640 imp gal; 2,900 l) in three flexible fuselage tanks + 390 US gal (320 imp gal; 1,500 l) weapon-bay tank, with provision for 1x 650 US gal (540 imp gal; 2,500 l) or 750 US gal (620 imp gal; 2,800 l) centerline drop tank and 2x 450 US gal (370 imp gal; 1,700 l) underwing drop tanks; Total maximum fuel 2,810 US gal (2,340 imp gal; 10,600 l)
Zero-lift drag coefficient: CD 0.0173
Drag area: 6.65 sq ft (0.6 m2)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W afterburning turbojet engine, 14,300 lbf (64 kN) thrust 26,500 lbf (117.88 kN) with afterburning and water injection
Performance
Maximum speed: 1,210 kn (1,390 mph, 2,240 km/h) / Mach 2.1 at 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
Combat range: 676 nmi (778 mi, 1,252 km)
Ferry range: 1,917 nmi (2,206 mi, 3,550 km)
Service ceiling: 48,500 ft (14,800 m)
Rate of climb: 38,500 ft/min (196 m/s)
Time to altitude: 35,000 ft (10,668 m) in 1 minute 42 seconds
Lift-to-drag: 10.4
Wing loading: 93 lb/sq ft (450 kg/m2)
Thrust/weight: 0.74
Armament
Guns: 1 × 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, 1,028 rounds
Hardpoints: 5 total: 4 × under-wing, 1 × centerline pylon stations plus an internal bomb bay with a capacity of up to 14,000 lb (6,400 kg) of ordnance, with provisions to carry combinations of:
Rockets:
LAU-32/LAU-59 rocket pods with 7 x FFARs each
Missiles:
AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-surface missiles
AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles
Bombs:
M117 and Mark 80 series of general-purpose bombs
M118 demolition bombs
Nuclear weapons B28, B43 stored internally and B57, B61
Cluster munitions of various types, including CBU-24
Avionics
NASARR R-14A radar
AN/ASG-19 Thunderstick fire control system
AN/ARN-85 LORAN (AN/ARN-92 in Thunderstick II-modified aircraft)
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