Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2503 Republic F-105D Thunderchief, Memphis Belle II 357th TFS, 355th TFW, RTAB (Royal Thai Air Base) Takhli, Thailand

Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Weapons that are not permanently attached. Comes with crew figure. Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic.

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 case 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 Side-Winder missiles.

The F-105Ds of the 357th TFS, 355th TFW were based at RTAB (Royal Thai Air Base) Takhli, Thailand from 1966 to 1970. The Thud with serial number 60-0504 had been given the name “Memphis Belle II” to honor the WWII B-17. The F-105 pilot was Major Buddy Jones who is credited with 2 MiG-17 victories. The aircraft is on display at the USAF Museum wearing some markings below the cockpit. The two red stars represent the 2 MiG-17 kills and a couple of campaign ribbons. Also the Belle herself painted in her familiar blue bathing suit.

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

355th TFW