Hobbymaster HA2511 Republic F-105B Thunderchief Diecast Model USAF 108th TFW, 141st TFS NJ ANG, #57-5776, McGuire AFB, NJ, US Bicentennial 1976

Hobbymaster HA2511 Republic F-105B Thunderchief Diecast Model USAF 108th TFW, 141st TFS NJ ANG, #57-5776, McGuire AFB, NJ, US Bicentennial 1976

In April 1964, the 108th TFW received the first of their F-105B Thunderchief, replacing the ageing Sabrejet. This made the 108th the first ANG unit capable of flying at Mach 2. The Thunderchief served with the 108th until 1981, when the F-4D Phantom II replaced it. In 1976 F-105B 57-5776 c/n B13 was selected to receive the custom American Bicentennial paint scheme to honor the countries 200th birthday. 57-5776 was one of the lucky F-105s spared from the bone yard and has been preserved on a pedestal at what is now the 108th Air Refueling Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard compound located at McGuire AFB, New Jersey.

Republic F-105B Thunderchief
Designed as a replacement for the F-84F Thuderstreak, the F-105 first flew on October 2, 1955. This Mach-2 capable aircraft was used for strike bombing during the Vietnam War. It was armed with a cannon and missiles and was also designed to carry a nuclear weapon. The single-seat F-105 was the largest single-engine fighter ever to serve with the USAF and could deliver a greater bomb load than any of the 10-man strategic bombers that served during WWII. Despite these impressive statistics, the F-105 was also the only US aircraft in history to be removed from combat because of high attrition rates.