F105D

The Republic F-105D Thunderchief was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. It was designed in the 1950s by Republic Aviation to penetrate Soviet airspace in the Cold War, carrying a nuclear bomb. The F-105 was a large, single-engine, single-seat aircraft capable of Mach 2 speeds. It featured an internal bomb bay and six wing-mounted hardpoints for carrying conventional ordnance and external fuel tanks.

During the Vietnam War, the F-105D was the primary strike aircraft for tactical bombing missions in North Vietnam. Its mission was often dangerous due to heavy air defenses. Despite its robustness, the F-105 suffered high losses during the conflict. The aircraft's limitations, such as its heavy weight and susceptibility to damage, contributed to its attrition rate. Over 800 F-105Ds were built, and they saw extensive combat use. The aircraft was gradually phased out of service by the early 1970s, replaced by the F-4 Phantom II and later the F-111 Aardvark. The F-105D is remembered for its significant role in the early stages of the Vietnam War and for the bravery of its pilots who flew it into heavily defended territory.