New images added Hobby Master HA2555 F-105F Thunderchief 63-8304, USAF, Soellingen, 1965
In 1965, the Republic F-105F Thunderchief was deployed to Soellingen Air Base, West Germany, for NATO training and evaluation activities while assigned to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing. Although primarily developed as a two seat conversion trainer, the F-105F retained full combat capability and could deliver conventional or nuclear weapons at high speed and low altitude. Operations from Soellingen focused on tactical strike training, nuclear deterrence, and exercises with allied NATO forces during the height of the Cold War. The experience gained by F-105F crews would later prove invaluable when the type entered combat over Vietnam.
Republic F-105F Thunderchief
Designed as a replacement for the F-84F Thuderstreak, the F-105 first flew on October 2, 1955. This Mach-2 capable aircraft was used for strike bombing during the Vietnam War. It was armed with a cannon and missiles and was also designed to carry a nuclear weapon. The single-seat F-105 was the largest single-engine fighter ever to serve with the USAF, and could deliver a greater bomb load than any of the 10-man strategic bombers that served during WWII. Despite these impressive statistics, the F-105 was also the only US aircraft in history to be removed from combat because of high rates of attrition.
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