Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2501 Republic F-105D Thunderchief, Lt. David B. Waldrop, 34th TFS, 388th TFW, Korat RTAB, Thailand, August 1967

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Weapons that are not permanently attached. Comes with crew figures Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic. Hobby Master doesn’t flood the market with huge numbers of each model and with the pre-production interest shown world wide this definitely will be a very rare bird and extremely sought after.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief first entered service in 1958. It had been designed for high-speed low-level penetration to deliver a nuclear bomb but was converted to deliver could carry a greater bomb load than the B-17, B-24 or B-29. Best known for its action in Vietnam the F-105 flew over 20,000 combat missions with the loss of 382 aircraft out of the 833 produced.

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 the event 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 Sidewinder missiles.

With over 20,000 F-105 missions flown in Vietnam the most famous F-105D action came on August 2, 1967 when the 335th and 388th TFWs stationed at Korat AFB in Thailand heavily damaged the Paul Doumer Bridge north of Hanoi. This was a major artery for re- supply between China and North Vietnam. As part of the 388th TFW the 34th TFS flew F- 105Ds from June 1966 until May 1969. On August 23, 1967 while flying an F-105D Lt. David B. Waldrop is credited with downing a MiG-17. Some say he actually shot down 2 aircraft.

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