Geffen, Theo van/Arruda, Gerald Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Peacetime Operations

The F-105 Thunderchief was primarily designed for tactical nuclear operations. For this reason, it was on nuclear "Victor" alert in Europe (Bitburg and Spangdahlem Air Bases in Germany) and the Far East (Kadena on Okinawa and Osan in the Republic of Korea). After President John F. Kennedy took office in January 1961, his Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, shifted the USAFs focus more and more to conventional warfare including, through modifications, the mission of the F-105. When the air war against North Vietnam was initiated in earnest on March 2, 1965, the USAF needed an aircraft with a load-carrying ability, and the only aircraft that could do that job was the Thunderchief. This book not only gives in-depth accounts of various historical F-105 events, with inputs from the pilots involved, but is also lavishly illustrated with over 150 images, many of which have never been published before.

When the air war against North Vietnam began in earnest on 2 March 1965, the USAF needed a tactical fighter with a heavier weapons load, and the only aircraft that could do the job was the Thunderchief. This book not only contains detailed accounts of various historic F-105 events with contributions from the pilots involved, but is also profusely illustrated with over 150 photographs, many of which have never been published before.