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A Thud or two ... one more ;)


RidgeRunner

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Hi,

 

The F-105Gs were at Dobbin AFB, Atlanta in October 1980. My friend and I got around a lot of southern US bases that year, from Texas across to Tyndall (for William Tell 80). The timing was right as it was the end of such great machines - the Thud and the Voodoo, particularly. The "TH"s were at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth. Note that the T-Stick follows Thud tradition and is named - "Pandora's Play Thing". On both occasions, and in fact for just about every morning visit on that trip, we entered the base very early. At Dobbins we had freedom to roam as we liked and then the ATC chap took us out to the runway. At Carswell we were escorted but spent a load of time at the runway edge watching the departures to the ranges. :)

 

We were lucky!

 

Martin  

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just adding a couple more .....

 

thud5_zps3ad9070d.jpg

 

thud3B_zpsb192b3bf.jpg

 

thud15_zps37906f5d.jpg

 

thud12_zps528558da.jpg

 

1. Carswell, Texas - Oct 1980

2. Dobbins, Georgia - Oct 1980

3. Sculthorpe, UK - June 1978

 

Martin

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Aaahh... Thuds.

 

"In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women, and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri."

 

Thanks for posting!

 

Cheers,

 

Andre

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  • 4 weeks later...
On 12 January 2017 at 3:37 PM, 71chally said:

Did you catch the wraparound camo scheme ones at all?

 

Hi mate, sorry for the late reply - yes, at Carswell. I think I have a slide or two. I'll dig around when I get time. 

 

Martin

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On 1/10/2017 at 10:42, RidgeRunner said:

We were lucky!

 

Understatement of the year so far.

 

What is the name on the Weasel in the first picture? The font looks a bit 'Thai' 

 

One of my fav aircraft, I will pin this for future modelling reference, cheers.

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Yes, mate. I'm not sure what it says but it goes back to when it was operating from Korat with the 388th TFW. She is now preserved in Michigan. 

 

M

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I just checked, it is "Naada" which I imagine is a girl the pilot has association with. ;).... There is a sorts set that features her.  See http://www.themodellingnews.com/2012/10/zotz-132-f-105fg-in-vietnam-wild.html

Martin

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Nice one Martin, thanks for the info re the name. I did wonder about the Vietnam era link, but by 1980 thought maybe not. Nice to see a bit of it's history preserved, and nice to hear she is still going.

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3 hours ago, RidgeRunner said:

I just checked, it is "Naada" which I imagine is a girl the pilot has association with. ;).... There is a sorts set that features her.  See http://www.themodellingnews.com/2012/10/zotz-132-f-105fg-in-vietnam-wild.html

Martin

Yes, 'Naada' was the  name Jim Boyds wife.

 

Cracking shots again, especially the T Stick IIs.

I won't say you were lucky, as you clearly worked to get these pictures!

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Hi. Seeing the above pics prompted me to upload this image. Not one of my slides so I don't know any details of where when etc..

But hope its enjoyed.

20170118204705_04_zpsqejkgcug.jpg

 

 

I recall seeing some TH coded ones at Sculthorpe back in late 1970's and some others at Lakenheath around the same time. These were District of Columbia .

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Ah, nice :). I recall seeing the DC machines at Andrews AFB in 1981 after their retirement. I missed them and the Virginians at Lakenheath, sadly. 

 

Of of course the one you are showing just one aircraft, serial-wise, away from "Ridge Runner" ;), which is preserved at Richmond, Va.

 

Martin

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one more, taken while at the runway elbow at Carswell in 1980, watching the departure close up!

 

Martin

 

F105Carswell2_zpsma6ibzkz.jpg

 

oops, I lied, two more ... ;)

 

thud1A_zpsi6qexqxf.jpg

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I'm glad you like them Boman. :)

 

I was very lucky to have the opportunities. In the end, apart from the Sculthorpe event I visited Carswell, Dobbins, and Andrews, and saw a lot of Thuds. I was even more lucky that the people at the bases were so helpful and friendly (Jerry Luke at Dobbins, I recall) and so my mate and I had the run of the ramps and we were taken to the runway end and edges. You can see from the close up above - we were close! As I recall this shot was from a 4-ship of 2 x T-Stick IIs, 1 x F-105D and this F model "Double Trouble". :). I also got to Richmond but the Thuds had gone by that time apart from .... 24414 "Ridge Runner" ;);)

 

 

Martin 

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