Republic F-105N Thunderchief - NATO's Strike Bomber

[Spinners 15,981]

Republic F-105N Thunderchief - 2 Smaldeel, Belgian Air Force, 1975

 

During early 1961 the new Defence Secretary, Robert S. McNamara, decided to severely cut-back on F-105D production and only equip seven combat wings with the type. The expected total production run of about 1,500 F-105D's was soon reduced to less than one-half of that number. With the end of the Thunderchief production line looming and no follow-on project in the immediate pipeline Republic Aviation quickly proposed a minimum change 'NATO standard' export version of the current F-105D-31RE (designated F-105N - 'N' for NATO) at a competitive price and this soon attracted the attention of several NATO air forces. By March 1963 export orders had by placed by Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands with a slightly modified F-105M version being procured for the West German Marineflieger who had become disenchanted with the F-104G Starfighter.

 

With the last USAF F-105D's and F-105F's going through the door at Republic's Farmingdale factory production continued with a batch of 200 F-105N's (Block-50RE's) powered by the Pratt & Whitney J75-P19W engine rated at 26,500lbs of thrust and 120 F-105M's. 

 

 

 

 

[Sheriff001 397]

I'm getting things ready for the other CF-105. I am thinking licence production by Avro Canada, with the engine built either by Orenda or PWC. I think we'll have five squadrons, 421, 422, 427, 439, and 441 - the entire NATO Air Division. The markings are all ready, I just have to put them on. For colour schemes, I'll do natural metal, SEA, and Green. Service entry in 1961, and retirement in 1984 to be replaced by the CF-18.

[Sheriff001 397]

Incidentally, in the absence of a reconnaissance variant of the F-105, might we have a Canadian RF-101? Probably the RF-101C, rather than the later RF-101B.

[dsawan 615]

nice one spin!. can you release? thx.

[Spinners 15,981]

nice one spin!. can you release? thx.

It's simply sundowner's spiffing new F-105D_66 skin with Third Wire Mirage 5BA decals (although the raked fin flash is a little flourish by yours truly).

[PraetorH 166]

Lol, looks we are going to get a lot new F-105s! What a template can do... :D

 

Of course, in all cases we are dealing with big "what-ifs". Even Germany, easily the richest and most powerful of the countries without its own aircraft production, was not capable of supporting the F-105. It was a huge beast, complicated and demanding to any infrastructure. Buying a plane is one thing, operating another.

 

But nonetheless, it still is great fun. ;)

[Sheriff001 397]

The other CF-105

 

 

[Sheriff001 397]

The CF-105 Thunderchief is done

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it's time to package it, and the RAAF F-105 for upload.

[Stratos 3,177]

Love both of them! The Aussie and the Canuck!

[Sheriff001 397]

I have now uploaded the RAAF F-105, and the other CF-105.

[schepper911 0]

Another marvelous what if for the Belgian Air Force, allways an great pleasure to see what else you will make for the BAF