Thud!

Historical Background

The F-105 Thunderchief was designed as a successor to the F-100 Super Sabre. It however started life as a private venture by Republic to replace the F-84F Thunderstreak. Known as design AP-63FBX, the new aircraft was designed to be a supersonic, low-level nuclear bomber carrying its warload internally. As such, it possessed limited maneuverability but excellent low-altitude speed.  An enthusiastic USAF  awarded Republic a contract for 199 aircraft in September 1952. However by March 1953, the order was reduced to 37 fighter-bomber and 9 tactical reconnaissance variants, citing the approaching end of the Korean War. Near the end of that year, the contract was cancelled due to delays and uncertainties with the aircraft (including weight and size growth, change of engine and delays in the development of the Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojet). However on 28 June 1954, under Weapon System desgnation WS-306A, the USAF ordered two YF-105A, four YF-105B, six F-105B and three RF-105B. The first YF-105A prototype first flew on 22 October 1955, powered by the less powerful J57 although it still managed to reach Mach 1.2. Design revisions include incorporating 'area rule' effect, replacing the conventional air intakes with forward-swept, variable geometry intakes and finally installing the J75. With these changes, the F105B managaed to attain Mach 2.15.

In March 1956, the USAF ordered a further 65 F-105B and 17 RF-105B. To allow it to conduct nuclear strike missions, an MA-8 fire-control system, an AN/APG-31 ranging radar and K-19 gunsight were fitted. Five F-105C trainers were ordered but then cancelled together with the reconnaissance version. The first production F-105B was received by the USAF on 27 May 1956. In June, Republic requested that the F-105 be named Thunderchief, continuing the sequence started by the P-47 in the 1940s. The USAF made this name official in July 1956. In 1957, Republic proposed the F-105D in order to fulfil the USAF's need for an all-weather attack aircraft. This version featured an enlarged nose and radome housing the AN/ASG-19 Thunderstick bombing and navigation system. Inside the cockpit, the D version featured a vertical strip instrument diplay. Plans to build 1,000 F-105D was curtailed when Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara declared that no more than seven combat Wings were to be equipped and chose the F-4 Phantom to be the main combat aircraft of the USAF.

The F-105 is a mid-wing aircraft with a 45 degree wing and tail sweep. The single Pratt & Whitney J75-PW-19 turbojet developed 14,300 lb dry thrust (24,500 with afterburner). The large fuselage provided room for 4,480 liters of fuel and an internal bomb bay. Designed for carriage of nuclear weapons, the bay was commonly used to hold an additional 1,300 liter-capacity fuel tank. It featured four underwing and one centreline hardpoints that can carry up to 6,400 kg of disposable stores. One M61 Vuclan 20 mmcannon, together with 1,028 rounds of ammunition was installed on the left side of the nose. The Thunderchief was a large aircraft (19.63 meters long and 5.99 meters high). Because of this and its troubled early life, it received a lukewarm reception from its pilots. various derogatory nicknames were given, including 'Lead Sled', 'Squat Bomber' and 'Ultra Hog/Hyper Hog'. Arguably its most famous nickname was 'Thud', named after the character 'Chief Thunderthud' from the Howdy Doody television series. The Thunderchief's offensive capability was sarcastically referred to as 'Triple Threat' - it could bomb the enemy, strafe him or fall onto him. The positive aspects of the aircraft such as responsive controls, good performance at low level and at high speed plus its electronics won its pilots over, who now used the 'Thud' monicker affectionately.

The F-105, specifically the initial 'B' model entered service in August 1958 with the 335th tactical Fighter Squadron of the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. Difficulties with the avionics meant that the plane spent more time for maintenance than actual flying. The B model were gradually relegated to Air National Guard units and were replaced by the 'D' model beginning in September 1960 - the first recipient being the 335th TFS again. The first overseas unit were the 36th TFW at Bitburg and the 49th TFW at Spangdahlem, West Germany. Both Wings were tasked with nuclear weapons delivery. In the meantime, the USAF anticipated a change in the F-105's mission from nuclear weapons delivery to conventional bombing. As part of Project Look Alike, the Thud's capacity was upgraded, enabling it to carry up to 16 750-lb bombs on the centreline and wing pylons (the original conventional capacity was just four). relevant equipment was also added to allow it to launch AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-ground missiles.

The F-105 received some special modifications during its service with the USAF. The most notable was the defence-suppression 'Wild Weasel' aircraft. The two-seat F-105F training variant was chosen as the basis. As with the earlier F-100 Wild Weasel I and F-4C Wild Weasel II, the second crewmember was trained as an Electronic Warfare Officer, deciphering hostile radar emissions and guiding the pilot to attack them. The elctronic capability was supplemented with the usage of conventional bombs and specialist anti-radar missiles like the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard. In 1967, the F-105F were upgraded to the definitive 'G' version. 30 of the D versions received 'Thunderstick II' upgrade with the additional avionics housed in a long, raised dorsal spine. None were used at Vietnam despite entering service in 1969. Several F-105Fs received R-14A radar and a higher resolution radar scope. Known as project Commando Nail, they were used for all-weather and night low-level strikes against highly-defended targets by a unit from the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, known as Ryan's Raiders.

The Thud was however best remembered for its role during the Vietnam War. Following the passing of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the first Thud mission was an attack on anti-aircraft positions at the Plain Of Jars, Laos, on 14 August 1964. By February 1965, the Johnson Administration had approved Operation Rolling Thunder, a bombing campaign aimed to crack the fighting spirit of North Vietnam. North Vietnam was divided into 'Route Packages' numbered I to VI (RP VI was divided into VI-A and VI-B). The USAF was reponsible for RPs I, V and VI-A; the last include the environs of Hanoi, nicknamed 'downtown' by pilots, ringed with flak and SAM batteries and defended by MiGs. The Thuds were based and Takhli and Korat Royal Thai Air Force bases in Thailand. The classic mission for Route VI usually involved 30-50 aircraft including F-4 fighter escorts, EB-66 ECM aircraft and 'Wild Weasel' SEAD aircraft (F-4C, F-100 and later, F-105F or G).

On a typical mission into North Vietnam, the Thuds flew with a load of 1,028 rounds of 20mm shells for its internal M61A1 cannon, six 500lb or 750lb bombs on the centre rack, 2 more 500lb or 750lb bombs on the outer wing pylon, 2 450 US gallon fuel tanks on the inner pylon and a 390 US gallon tank in the bomb bay. Depending on the potential threats, the outer wing pylons can be used to mount an ALQ-87 ECM pod or AIM-9B Sidewinder AAM. Alternative loads include AGM-12 Bullpup ASM and 1,000 lb and 3,000 lb bombs. To allow the Thuds to reach their targets (and return safely to base), inflight refuelling was required. Approach into 'downtown' can take two paths: one over the Gulf of Tonkin and the other by flying along the Day Truong Son mountains which ran parallel with the Red River into Hanoi. The jagged karst mountains were soon nicknamed Thud Ridge.  

The heavy AA defences of North Vietnam exacted a heavy toll on the Thud. Of the 610 F-105Ds built, 283 were lost in combat and another 52 lost to other causes. In return, the Thuds, despite being designed as a bomber, managed to shoot down 27.5 enemy MiGs - the highest scoring type after the F-4 Phantom. 24.5 MiGs were shot down using the internal cannon and the rest with the Sidewinder. In return, 17 Thuds were downed by MiGs. After Vietnam the surviving aircraft were transferred to USAF Reserve and ANG units and were finally retired in 1984.

The Kit

I have a soft spot for the Thud and that's why I eagerly awaited Trumpeter's release of the Thud in 1/72 scale. Once released, the modeling press did not wholeheartedly embrace the new 1/72 Thud. The main criticism is concerned with overdone rivet details and the lack of any details on the inner face of the landing gear doors. Otherwise the detail is fine and that the flaps, IFR probe, stabilators, canopy, speed brake/exhaust petals and gun bay door are poseable. Another 'bad' point with the kit is the supplied ordnance configuration. Trumpeter suggested that the options were either two MERs with four Mk82 500lb bombs each (with normal or extended fuze) on outer wing pylons plus three external tanks on centerline and the inner wing hardpoints or two AGM-12 Bullpup on the outboard pylons, the MER with bombs on the inboard pylons and the centerline tank. No fuselage pylon was included, which prevented modelers from configuring the model with the 'normal' RP VI-A combat load. Three marking options were included - one in silver and the other two in SEA camo.

Construction

As usual, the cockpit received the first attention. After painting the parts while still on the sprue, the kit decal  representing instrument panel and switches were applied. There weren't much detail in the cockpit. Although not as 'detailed' as other manufacturers' (not to mention resin replacement cockpit), they are sufficient in 1/72 scale. The IFR probe and the gun bay were closed as I don't intend to display them in the open position. The landing lights on the port fuselage and at the base of the tail were secured using Tamiya X20 Clear. I also added some fishing weights in the nose cavity, just to be on the cautious side, to avoid a tail sitting stance. The directions have the nose landing gear assembled and glued to the wheel well before closing up the fuselage but after dry-fitting, it can be glued later on and I left it aside. 

The wings, after assembling the upper and lower portion and fixing the flaps in place, were then mated to the fuselage. The landing gear wells and the interior side of the gear doors were painted US interior green even though the instruction said Flat White as photos show that they were painted in the former color. The same goes with landing gear themselves which I painted silver instead of the recommended Flat White. I decided to leave the exhaust petals at this time and would only attach them after painting. I also shaved off the collision light fairing on the spine as wartime aircraft do not have this feature.

Now, I didn't intend to use the suggested arming options as reviewers on the internet said that such configuration was rare or used earlier in the conflict (the first option), or non-existent (the second option). I was thinking of using the larger AGM-12C from the Hasegawa Weapons Set as there were photos of Thuds carrying these and the centreline fuel tank (plus the larger C model make them more visible) but as will be explained below, I had to dismiss this idea. Unlike their 1/32 offering, Trumpeter did not include the centerline pylon. Basically I had two options; one is to scratch a new pylon; the other is to rob/borrow from other kits. Rummaging through my spares box, I found an extra pylon from a previous Fujimi F-4G Phantom build. It has the right shape although I'm not sure about the exact dimensions. I don't really give much thought at this stage and decided to cement it onto the bottom of the fuselage. There should be a pair of reinforcing strips on the belly (not included of course and had to be scratchbuild) but I decided not to add them.

Painting and Decalling

Originally, I intended to paint the model silver, just to have another colour scheme other than grey and camouflaged planes in my collection (plus the gaudy sharkmouth and the colourful lightning bolt and TAC insignia made interesting markings). However, Trumpeter goofed up the US Star & Bar insignia, being of the wrong shade of blue and having wrongly-sized bar portion. Lacking a better looking replacement in my spares box, I decided to do the third option - 'The Polish Glider' in SEA camo. Although the Star and Bar shared the same problem with the first option, at least I can use the extra insignias from TwoBobs' Combat Lancer sheet in my collection. I painted the underside FS36622 using Tamiya AS16 and the upper colours were painted using Tamiya XF13 IJA Green, XF67 NATO Green and a mixture of XF59 Desert Yellow and XF64 Red Brown for FS34079, FS34102 and FS 30219 respectively. However, Trumpeter did not show the upper scheme and I have to resort to the Internet and my books in order to get the top view.

The second marking option is rather bland so I chose the third marking option: Major Dan Kutyna's 'The Polish Glider' / 'Yankee Air Polack' which was assigned to 44th TFS/335th TFW (in which Trumpeter erroneously stated as 466TFS/419th TFW). The decals are quite thick but an application of Mr Mark Softer sorted them out. Finally sludge wash is applied (which exaggerates the already oversized rivets!). As briefly mentioned above, the choice of the markings affected my decision as to the configuration of the weapons carried. The Bullpup missile was more commonly used during the early days of Rolling Thunder, when the Thuds were mainly still painted silver. Since the decals for the silver-coloured machine were basically unusable, I had to use the other marking options. In turn, Bullpup was no longer used by the time the planes were camouflaged and receiving tail codes; hence I had to configure the weapons option in the more familiar loadout. 

Finishing

The small parts can now be attached to the model. The landing gears and doors were attached first and as for the exhaust petals, I decided to attach the bottom portion in the open position as photos usually show it as such. As for the external stores, The MER and the M117 750 lb bombs came from Hasegawa Weapon Set I. The Sidewinder was robbed from my Italeri RMAF F-5E model as I have run out of the 'B' variant from Hasegawa's Weapons Set III. The Sidewinder rail also came from the same set. As the original rail is the twin version, I cut one of the arms off and used it to represent the single launch rail. The ALQ-87 ECM pod came from Hasegawa Weapons Set IV. I then attached the ordnance and external tanks followed with the antennas and the pitot probe (which is overscale!). The model then received a coat of Flat Clear and finally the canopy was placed in the open position.

Conclusion

A very welcome addition to the 1/72 aircraft models since the earlier Monogram and Hasegawa offering is more than 20 years old, not to mention extremely rare. Even though there is still some issues with Trumpeter's Thud, they are not something an average modeller cannot overcome (unless one is too lazy to do it, like me!)