Republic F-105 Thunderchief DVD

Republic F-105 Thunderchief DVD

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the USAF. The Mach 2 capable F105 bore the brunt of strike bombing over North Vietnam during the early years of the Vietnam War. Originally designed and deployed as a single seat aircraft, a two-seat Wild Weasel version was later developed for use in specialized suppression of the enemy air defenses.

1st Film: "Republic F-105 Thunderchief" - A great film by Republic Aircraft Co. about the famous F105 Thunderchief. It shows the F105 usage and demonstrates the jet. Great color and very rare film. Run time is about 9 minutes.

2nd Film: "USAFE" - A USAF film on how the Air Force protects our allies in Europe. Run time is about 6 minutes.

3rd Film: "F-105 Films by Republic" - Another collection of films by Republic Aircraft Co. 1st, The F 105 Thunderchief. 2nd, Bombing runs over Vietnam. 3rd, F-105 Lift-O-Wheel. 4th, Recon pod for the F-105. 5th, F-105 first flight-belly lands. Run time is about 18 minutes.

4th Film: "F-105 There is the Way" - This is a film by the USAF on the story of 100 missions in Vietnam. It covers the F105 Thunderchief, pilots and crew that keep the F 105 Thunderchief in the sky. Run time is about 28 minutes.

5th Film: "Armament and Spin Test" - Another Republic film on arming the F-105 plus how to handle the aircraft in spin tests. Run time is about 10 minutes.

6th Film: "F-105 Thunderchief Clips and Photos" - This is a collection of clips and photos on the F105 Thunderchief. Run time is about 5 minutes.

Total runtime for the Republic F-105 Thunderchief DVD is about 76 minutes. Format is NTSC DVD and region-free.

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F-105 History and Facts

The F-105 Thunderchief was a fighter-bomber that first flew in October 1955. The F-105 was introduced into the US Air Force in May 1958 and 833 production F-105 aircraft were built. The bomb load capability of the F-105 was greater than WWII bombers such as the B-24 and the B-17. It could fly at supersonic speeds (Mach 2.1) and was heavily used in the Vietnam War. However, due to high loss rates in Vietnam, the F-105 was replaced by the F-4 Phantom.

Some facts about the F-105 Thunderchief:

• Crew Configuration: Primarily operated by one pilot. Although for F-105 variants C, E, F, and G, two crew members were accommodated.
• Dimensions and Physical Aspects - Overall Length of about 64 feet. Wingspan of 34 feet. Height of 19 feet.The wing surface area covers 385 square feet, providing substantial lift and maneuverability.
• Propulsion System - the Republic F-105 Thunderchief is powered by a robust propulsion system that features a single Pratt & Whitney afterburning turbojet engine. This engine delivers an impressive dry thrust of 14,300 pounds-force. When the afterburner is engaged, the engine's thrust significantly increases to 24,500 pounds-force.
• Weight and Capacity - Empty weight is 27,500 pounds. Typical loaded weight is 35,637 pounds. Maximum takeoff weight is 52,546 pounds.
• Payload Capacity - designed to carry up to 14,000 pounds of various weapons, making it a formidable fighter-bomber.
• Service Ceiling - maximum operational altitude is 48,500 feet.
• Combat Radius - approximately 780 miles.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief is well-equipped with a variety of powerful armaments. It boasts a 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon, featuring six rotating barrels and capable of carrying 1,028 rounds, delivering a formidable rate of fire.

• External and Internal Weaponry - the Thunderchief is fitted with five hardpoints for mounting additional weaponry. Four of these are located under the wings, while one is positioned at the centerline. These hardpoints can accommodate a range of munitions. The F-105 also has an internal bomb bay capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear bombs, providing versatility in mission profiles.
• Missiles - for missile deployment, the Thunderchief can carry AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for air-to-air combat. Additionally, it can be equipped with AGM-12 Bullpup missiles, which are designed for air-to-ground targeting.

The F-105 Thunderchief was officially retired from service in February 1984.