Full Description
An illustrated history of the F-105's success against MiGs, a relatively little-known aspect of the Vietnam War and a testament to the jet's versatility and the skill of the pilots involved.
Despite its 'F-for-fighter' designation, the F-105 was designed and purchased to give the USAF an aircraft capable of the delivery of nuclear weapons at very high speed, long range and below-the-radar altitudes. However, when the Vietnam War began it also emerged as USAF's best available tactical bomber for a 'limited conventional' war as well. Extensively targeted by MiG-17s and MiG-21s the F-105 pilots developed innovative tactics that allowed them to compete in air-to-air duels with their smaller, more manoeuvrable enemies.
Illustrated throughout with extensive photographs detailing weapon loads, internal features and action shots of actual engagements, this volume examines the conduct of the Rolling Thunder strike missions and the tactics used for attack and defence by the attack, escort fighter and radar monitoring elements within strike formations.
Contents
Development and early service
Attacks from Korat and Takhli Royal Thai Air Bases with bombing moving closer to Hanoi
Air-to-air armament
1967
'Wild Weasel' F-105Fs and F-105Fs involved in Iron Hand missions
Appendices:
- list of F-105 MiG kills
- basic F-105 statistics and data
-plates commentaries
