Republic F-105 Thunderchief - The Thud

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, also known as the 'Thud', was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Thud was operational from the mid-1950s to the 1980s. It was the primary strike aircraft during the early years of the Vietnam War and completed over 20,000 strike missions. The F-105 was known for its ability to carry a heavy bomb load, and was the only American aircraft to have been designed specifically to deliver the nuclear bomb. Despite its size, the F-105 was relatively fast and could reach a maximum speed of Mach 2.08. The Thud was a true warrior of the skies!