RidgeRunner Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) With the F-105 foremost in my mind at present I thought I'd post a few images from a trip around Carswell in 1980. I'll post more once I have time to scan them. The first three are a flight heading out to the ranges in the early morning (around 08:00). The light was low and so the Kodachrome didn't perform well, hence the B&W. Note 61-0076 is named "Pandora's Play Thing". Martin Edited February 25, 2018 by RidgeRunner 19 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) 61-0075 and 61-0076 both ended their days in Socorro, New Mexico, destroyed in testing. 60-0471 was last reported still in AMARC, David Monthan AFB, Arizona.... I know it happens but those are sad ends for such great machines :). Martin Edited February 21, 2018 by RidgeRunner 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaddad Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I still find it hard to accept the sheer size of these beasts, no wonder they called them Thuds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) Yes, mate, they were huge. I will post more that show this more apparently. I was very lucky in that in 1980 I made a long trip around the southern states and wrote off to visit bases and almost everyone said yes! :). This included two Thud bases. I was very, very happy :). The guys at Carswell (and Dobbins) were very accommodating. They allowed my mate and I free access to the flight lines and then took us out to the runway "last chance" to shoot some "Thuds with burners" ;). Unfortunately these three shots were among the first of the day and the sun was still emerging through the clouds, hence the darker images. Later the Texas sun came out! :) Martin Edited February 21, 2018 by RidgeRunner 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Hi Martin, I think I saw some of your other Thunderchief photos on here? They are great, I am rather jealous. I've never seen a Thud, they look pretty awesome. Always remind me of the air war over Vietnam, they flew with great courage in the face of much danger. Hats off to those guys. By the way, as I'm sure you know, these three Thud's are all Thunderstick II aircraft, with the enlarged dorsal spine containing 'technical stuff' to improve bombing accuracy. There was a conversion part for this, but it's very hard to come by these days. Hannants did it, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 21, 2018 Author Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) Hi Smudge, Yes, you remember correctly. I posted a few a while back, but not these (I think) ;). You are correct, they are T-Stick IIs. The 457th operated these at the end of their service. As I recall - I'd need to check my logs - there were around 20-25 at Carswell (only 30 or so were converted). They also had one standard D (61-0176). You are also right, Airwaves do/did a conversion. I am going to be building a Thud soon, but a standard D. Thanks for your comments. Martin Edited February 21, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britman Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 Looking forward to more and thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 (edited) Hi all, I've had a little time to add a few more. I've rushed them a little so the editing isn't the best but even so you can get a feel of the day... The aircraft seen on that date were: Serial Number Name Vietnam-era name Variant 60-0455 Carolina Thunder/Matzoh Ball Special/Kay's Baby T-Stick II 60-0458 Sweet Linda/Andy Capp/White Lightning Scooter/Herr Kleines Mans T-Stick II 60-0464 M.J./Dee Dee II T-Stick II 60-0465 not known T-Stick II 60-0471 Pandora's Play Thing not known T-Stick II 60-0493 not known T-Stick II 60-0500 not known T-Stick II 60-0517 Otis T-Stick II 60-0527 not known T-Stick II 60-0528 not known T-Stick II 60-0533 Playboy/Susan II The Pleasure Machine T-Stick II 61-0044 not known T-Stick II 61-0063 not known T-Stick II 61-0064 Punkin II/Willy T-Stick II 61-0074 Satisfaction 074 not known T-Stick II 61-0075 not known T-Stick II 61-0076 Cavalier/The Robin T-Stick II 61-0080 not known T-Stick II 61-0096 not known T-Stick II 61-0100 Hot Stuff T-Stick II 61-0110 not known T-Stick II 61-0161 Above and beyond/Li'l Cheryl/The Outlaw T-Stick II 61-0176 The Jolly Roger/Patience My A@@/The Max Beak F-105D 62-4253 Rajin Cajun/Rych Bitch/Thunderbee T-Stick II 62-4387 Sweet Bippy/Eve of Destruction/Devil's Angel/Grim Reeper T-Stick II 63-8309 not known F-105F 63-8331 Double Trouble not known F-105F 63-8343 Cat's Trash Goldfire II F-105F Martin Edited February 28, 2018 by RidgeRunner Added images (26feb18) 13 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted February 25, 2018 Share Posted February 25, 2018 Fantastic stuff. Have a go at posting some more from other bases too ;-) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 25, 2018 Author Share Posted February 25, 2018 Thanks Red Dot. I'll call it a day on Carswell and will scan some others soon. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share Posted February 26, 2018 One more image added - a wrap-around camo F-105D T-Stick II 60-0517. It was the only one in that scheme on that day. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted February 28, 2018 Author Share Posted February 28, 2018 On 25 February 2018 at 4:36 PM, Red Dot said: Fantastic stuff. Have a go at posting some more from other bases too ;-) Andy How about that? (Dobbins, Andrews and Sculthorpe) Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted March 4, 2018 Share Posted March 4, 2018 thanks very much. Super photos :-) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share Posted March 4, 2018 Thanks Andy. I have more but I think I've milked the subject as much as I can now. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 F-105F 63-8343 was one of the last active duty F-105s, serving with the 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at George Air Force Base, California. She was one of the few of those tired Thuds that didn't either go to the Georgia Air National Guard or the bone yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 19, 2020 Author Share Posted April 19, 2020 18 hours ago, SAT69 said: F-105F 63-8343 was one of the last active duty F-105s, serving with the 562nd Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at George Air Force Base, California. She was one of the few of those tired Thuds that didn't either go to the Georgia Air National Guard or the bone yard. A few more for your delictation Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted April 19, 2020 Share Posted April 19, 2020 F-105's took it on the chin in Vietnam. We lost almost half the inventory there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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