Republic F-105G Thunderchief, 62-4427 / F-016, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 62-4427
Construction Number: F-016
Code Number: 62427 / WW
Model Republic F-105G Thunderchief
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 13/07/2009
Developed and improved from the earlier F-105F in the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) role, otherwise known as 'Wild Weasel'. The F-105G was the definitive Wild Weasel Thud, they started to arrive in Southeast Asia in late 1967. As in the earlier F-105F, the F-105G carried a second crew member, a navigator trained as an Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO). Somewhat unkindly nicknamed 'Bears' (as in trained bear) or 'Gib' (guy in the back), the EWO's job was to use the aircraft's electronic warfare equipment to seek out and engage North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile (SAM) sites, and if possible destroy them. The EWO's were picked from the ranks of B-52 bomber aircrews, and were experts in radar and electronics. The relationships between the pilot and the EWO became extremely close, with each man relying on the other for survival. The F-105G was equipped with a large amount of new SEAD-specific avionics, including an upgraded RHAW (Radar Homing and Warning) system which required the redesign of the aircraft's wingtips. To free the outboard hardpoints for additional weapons, the Westinghouse AN/ALQ-105 electronic countermeasures were relocated and permanently installed in the two long blisters on the underside of the fuselage. Thirty aircraft were fitted with specially designed pylons to permit carriage of the AGM-78 Standard anti-radiation missile, a considerable improvement over the earlier AGM-45 Shrike. On a typical mission, the F-105G carried two Shrikes on the outboard pylons, a single Standard on the inboard pylon balanced by a 450 US gal (1,703 liter) fuel tank on the other side, and a 650 US gal (2,461 liter) centerline fuel tank. The 'Wild Weasels' were usually the first to arrive over the target area and the last to leave, staying after the strike to support the rescue of downed aircrews. Although the fighter-bomber version of the Thud, the F-105D, was withdrawn from Vietnam in 1970, the 'Wild Weasel' aircaraft served until the end of the war. Replaced by the 'Wild Weasel' version of the Phantom, the F-4G, the last Wild Weasel Thuds passed to Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units. The last F-105Gs were retired in 1983. This particular Thud wears the markings of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at George AFB, California. In-between the jaws of the sharks mouth is the business end of the 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon, scary! She is displayed at Pima courtesy of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson, AFB, Ohio.
Picture ID:1182582