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Museum Airpark
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The Republic Aircraft Company of Farmingdale, NY, built 833 F-105s. All models were built between 1952 and 1964. The Travis Air Force Museum collection contains the ultimate F-105 model, the F-105D. It is the largest single seat, single engine fighter and was the most sophisticated fighter in the Air Force inventory when it reached front line squadrons in 1959. The F-105D was also the first fighter to carry Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) equipment to combat enemy surface to air missiles (SAM). It was also capable of delivering nuclear weapons from its internal bomb bay. It has five external weapons pylons.
Design work on the F-105 began in the early 1950s. The prototype YF-105A first flew on 22 October 1955. It was followed seven months later in May of 1956, by the first flight of the YF-105B. Only 88 'B' models were built with the first becoming operational in 1958. The 'C' model reached the mock-up stages, but was never put into production. One year after the first 'B' models became operational, the 'D' model began to roll off the assembly line.
After the initial flight of an F-105D in June of 1959, the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing received the first operational F-105D. The first F-105D was the first "Thunderchief" model to see combat in Vietnam. They were used to attack military and industrial targets in North Vietnam and transportation arteries such as roadways and bridges. Early in the war, before the threat of enemy surface to air missiles, the F-105D was used in "straight and level" bombing missions. The later two seat F-105G models flew the "Wild Weasel" S.A.M. suppression mission.
Our F-105D, serial number 62-4299, was delivered to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) at George AFB, CA, on 19 April 1963. During the Vietnam War, she flew with the Pacific Air Force 355th, 6441st and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wings. She returned stateside in November 1970 and served in the Tactical Air Command, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. Her last operational posting was with the 419th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, UT. Shortly after the F-105D was phased out of service, the 419th flew our F-105D to the Museum. She arrived on 11 January 1984.
Specifications:
- Wing Span: 34'11”
- Length: 64'5"
- Height: 19'8"
- Maximum Speed: 1,372 M.P.H. at 36,000 Ft.
- Service Ceiling: 32,100 Ft.
- Range: 2,208 Miles with ferry tanks
- Crew: One
- Armament: 1 x M-61 20mm Gatling Gun plus 14,000 lbs. ordinance
- Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney J-75-P-19W rated at 24,500 lbs. thrust with after burners.
Information derived from “Travis Air Force Museum” by Nick Veronico copyright Travis AFB Historical Society/Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation. This book is available from the Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum GIFT SHOP located in the Travis Air Museum.
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