Republic Aviation F-105 Thunderchief

Rum 🇺🇸

07 May 2026 · © Rum

Seen in 1984 landing at March AFB

2 likes 0 comments

Comments (0)

No comments yet.

More like this

Republic Aviation F-84 Thunderjet (F variant)

Aircraft

F-105 Thunderchief F-105

USAF camouflage (Vietnam era/Cold War scheme)

AF 62 383

Registration

Manufacturer

Republic Aviation

Gear

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Runway Royalty, Military Maverick

4 badges earned

Location

March Air Reserve Base

RIV/KRIV

33.8807, -117.2590

Open map

March Air Reserve Base RIV

Airport

Insights

Aviation History

Iconic U.S. supersonic fighter-bomber, best known for heavy combat use in Vietnam War (‘Thud’); was the USAF’s main strike aircraft early in the war.

Fleet Rarity

Very rare, retired from frontline service—surviving airframes are mostly in museums.

Record Flights

F-105 type performed some of the longest and most dangerous bombing runs over North Vietnam.

Safety & Events

High loss rate in Vietnam; many missions under heavy SAM and MiG threat; well-documented in U.S. Air Force history.

Future Outlook

Retired; this aircraft is almost certainly now a museum piece or static display.

Specifications

Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W turbojet

Engine

10.65 m

Wingspan

19.56 m

Length

2,210 km (combat radius, ferry up to 3,130 km)

Range

933 km/h

Speed

1 (pilot only)

Capacity

23,800 kg

MTOW

5.99 m

Height

24,500 lbf (109 kN) with afterburner

Thrust

Approx 125 dB (no specific ICAO rating - pre-dates standards)

Noise