The F-105 armed with missiles and a cannon; however, its design was tailored to high-speed low-altitude penetration carrying a single nuclear bomb internally. First flown in 1955, the Thunderchief entered service in 1958. As the largest single-engined fighter ever employed by the USAF, the single-seat F-105 would be adapted to deliver a greater iron bomb load than the four-engined ten-man strategic bombers of World War II. The F-105 would be best remembered as the primary strike bomber over North Vietnam in the early stages of the Vietnam War.
Republic's all-weather Mach 2 capable, supersonic fighter-bomber kit, 2-seat Wild Weasel SEAD version. Features excellent surface engraving, detailed cockpits, 3-piece canopy, wheel wells, gun bay (with Vulcan cannon) and undercarriage, plus separately molded control surfaces and leading and trailing edge flaps. Also includes radar detail, J75-P-19W engine with optional removable tail, plus external stores - AGM-78 anti-radiation missiles (x2), ALQ-87 ECM pods (x2), AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles (x4).