F-105F Commando Nail

[madvad]

"Here's one of the more rare variants of the F-105 Thunderchief- one of the four F-105F two seaters modifed under the Commando Nail program 1967-1968. These four aircraft could be identified by their wrap around tan/green SE Asia camouflage; the standard SEA camo pattern had light gray undersides.

Commando Nail began as Project Northscope. Eager to replicate the night/all-weather bombing capability of the Navy's A-6 Intruders, Pacific Air Forces HQ directed that a handful of F-105 Thunderchiefs be modified with night/all-weather attack capability. Four F-105Fs were modified at Yokota AB in Japan with improved radar systems and cockpit instrumentation.

The modifications and additional electronics proved to be maintenance intensive and tempermental but the handpicked Commando Nail crews proved the modifications worked in combat. The inital cadre of crews called themselves "Ryan's Raiders" and flew their missions out of Korat RTAFB.

Commando Nail wasn't expanded to other F-105Fs as the available airframes were prioritized for the Wild Weasel mission and the impending arrival of the F-111 offered better night/all-weather attack capability.

But the Commando Nail crews laid down the tactical foundations for F-111 operations in Vietnam.

Image: USAF"

Original source: La Jetée Press - Facebook

[Stratos]

Thanks for the little story, is always fun and interesting to learn more about combat aviation, specailly about my beloved F-105!