The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was affectionately known as the "Thud".  Rumor has it that it got that name because that is the sound it makes when it hits the ground!  It was also said that even a Frisbee could out turn a Thud.  Be that as it may, the Thud was a remarkable aircraft.  Down in the dirt nobody could keep up with a Thud.  They also carried a very heavy hammer, to the tune of a M-61 20mm Vulcan cannon plus 14,000 pounds of ordnance.

The F-105 was initially designed as a supersonic fighter bomber to replace the F-84F.  The first flight was on October 22, 1955, but the first production aircraft, an F-105B, was not delivered to the USAF until 1958.   In all, 833 aircraft were built before production ended in 1964.

This is a model of an F-105G.  The "G" models were modified versions of the "F" model.  The "G" models were configured for antiaircraft suppression and were used by the "Wild Weasels".  Any sane pilot did his utmost to avoid air-defense sites, however the Weasels would go in to attract the attention of the defenses and then launch their missiles to destroy the controlling radar.  They were fitted with improved avionics and advanced (for their day!) ECM (Electronic Countermeasures) and RHAW (Radar Homing and Warning) systems that allowed them to engage the air defense systems with devastating effectiveness.

This model is Installment 2 of Airplanes With Teeth ...
Installment 1 Curtis-Wright P-40B Warhawk
Installment 2 Fairchild-Republic F-105G Thunderchief Wild Weasel
Installment 3 McDonnell-Douglas F-4E Phantom II
Installment 4 Fairchild-Republic A-10A Thunderbolt II
Kit Manufacturer: Trumpeter No. 02202
Aftermarket Parts: Blackbox CS32015 Cockpit
Build Dates: April 7, 2004 - August 23, 2004
Total Build Time: 316 hrs. +/-

October 23, 2004
Phillips Toy Mart Model Competition and Show
Overall Best Of Show
Finishing Information:

The four-color camouflage scheme consists of:

  • FS-36622 Light Gray -- Tamiya XF-19
  • FS-30218 Tan -- Polly Scale F505392
  • FS-34087 Olive Green -- Testors Model Master 4734
  • FS-34079 Leaf Green -- Testors Model Master 4726
All of these paints are acrylic, and were airbrushed freehand with an Omni 3000 airbrush over a thin coat of Tamiya Fine Surface Primer.  A coat of Future floor polish was added to smooth the surface (all of those paints have a flat finish) prior to decaling.  After the decals were in place another coat of Future was applied and then a dark gray panel line wash was added.  A final coat of Future floor polish mixed with Tamiya XF-21 Flat Base was then sprayed as a flat coat.

The "Natural Metal" areas are Testors Model Master Metallizer laquers.  The "Remove before Flight" flags are a mixture of Eduard photo etch and homemade, and the wheel chocks and ladders were scratch built.

The decals are the kit decals, however they were produced by Twobobs Aviation Graphics and are very good.  They are thin and the registration is excellent.  As usual, I used Micro Sol to get them to conform to the surfaces.

COMPLETED MODEL PHOTOGRAPHS

Each of the images is a link to a larger image. 
Click the image to view the larger version.

The photos were taken at two different times which is why some of them are on a light background and others are on a dark background.
Click This Link To View Construction Photos and Construction Notes

AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS AND HISTORY
F105-G NO. 62-4440 SPECIFICATIONS
Wing Span:34'-11"
Overall Length:67'-0"
Height:20'-2"
Empty Weight:29,393 lbs
Gross Weight:54,578 lbs
Engine:Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W
Thrust:24,499 lbs
Max. Speed (sea level):1,480 mph
Cruise Speed (sea level):596 mph
Range:2,390 mi
Ceiling:50,000 ft
This aircraft is on static display at the Hill AFB Museum, Utah
AIRCRAFT HISTORY

  • Serial #: 62-4440
  • Model(s): F-105F-1-RE, F-105G-1-RE
  • Delivered to USAF as 62-4440.
  • BOC: Feb. 19, 1964.
  • SOC: May 22, 1985
  • Allocated to 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, March 1964.
  • Transferred to 4520th Combat Crew Training Wing, Nellis AFB, NV, Sept. 30, 1965.
  • Transferred to 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing at McConnell AFB, KS, Nov. 14, 1967.
  • Transferred to 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron/23rd TFW, Nellis AFB, NV, Jan. 27, 1968.
  • Sent to Sacramento Air Logistics Center, March 1972.
  • Rebuilt as F-105G-1-RE, March 1972-Aug. 15, 1972.
  • Transferred to 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand. Oct. 1972.
  • Issued to 17th Wild Weasel Squadron, Nov. 17, 1972.
  • Flew as "Zero" and claiming 3 "MiG" kills.
  • Transferred to 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA, Oct. 29, 1974.
  • Assigned to 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadron.
  • Transferred to 116th TFW, Georgia ANG, Dobbins AFB, GA, Oct. 7, 1979.
  • Transferred to 2952nd Combat Logistics Support Squadron, Hill AFB, UT, Nov. 1983.
  • Used as battle damage repair instruction airframe.
  • Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, UT, June 2, 1986-2003
THANKS TO ...
Mr. Bob Sanchez of TwoBobs Aviation Graphics and Mr. Jackson Xiao of Trumpeter Models for their help and assistance.
Exhibit: 62-4440 - Republic F-105G Thunderchief Warbird Registry - F-105 Thunderchief Registry Republic F-105 Thunderchief
F-105 In Detail by Fotios Rouch F-105 Walkaround Republic F-105 Thunderchief seat: The Ejection Site
USAF Museum - Republic F-105F Craig Baker's F-105 Site, The Awesome Thunderchief Cold War Thuds -- The Republic F-105 Thunderchief in Europe 1961-1968
Republic F-105 Thunderchief Pictures, Air Force Military Aircraft: Photography, Photos, by Photovault Trumpeter F-105G Review FineScale Modeler Community - F-105D Thunderchief, help please?
Eduard Model Accessories ltd. RC Resins F-105 Addons Aeroclub Models Addons
Blackbox Combat Series Fine Scale Modeler Forum John McCormick's Trumpeter F-105G
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