| − | The '''F-105 Thunderchief''', sometimes referred to as the "Thud", was a single-seat, heavy fighter-bomber, built by [[Republic Aviation]] and designed for tactical bombing. It was the mainstay of the U.S. bombing force in the early part of the [[Vietnam War]]. The F-105 could carry up to 12,000 lb of bombs or a nuclear payload, and carried an internal [[M61 Vulcan]] 20 mm cannon that fired at a rate of 6000 rounds/minute. The internal gun set it apart from most other American fighters of the era, such as the [[F-4 Phantom]], which carried only missiles. It was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney turbojet engine that allowed it a top speed of over Mach 2 in level flight.<ref>''Fast Movers'', by John Darrell Sherwood, St. Martin’s Press, 1999</ref> | + | The '''F-105 Thunderchief''', sometimes referred to as the "Thud", was a single-seat, heavy fighter-bomber, built by [[Republic Aviation]] and designed for tactical bombing. It was the mainstay of the U.S. bombing force in the early part of the [[Vietnam War]]. The F-105 could carry up to 12,000 lb of bombs or a nuclear payload, and carried an internal [[M61 Vulcan]] 20 mm cannon that fired at a rate of 6000 rounds/minute. The internal gun set it apart from most other American fighters of the era, such as the [[F-4 Phantom]], which carried only missiles. It was powered by a single [[Pratt & Whitney]] turbojet engine that allowed it a top speed of over Mach 2 in level flight.<ref>''Fast Movers'', by John Darrell Sherwood, St. Martin’s Press, 1999</ref> |
| | In May of 1963, the Thunderchief was selected to be the plane of the [[U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds|Thunderbirds Air Force demonstration team]].<ref>[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types/usa/republic/f-105/F-105_Thunderchief.htm Republic F-105 Thunderchief]</ref> | | In May of 1963, the Thunderchief was selected to be the plane of the [[U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds|Thunderbirds Air Force demonstration team]].<ref>[http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/types/usa/republic/f-105/F-105_Thunderchief.htm Republic F-105 Thunderchief]</ref> |