James Kasler became the only member of the USAF to be awarded the Air Force Cross three times, including one for…
F-105
- Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
- Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
Supersonic Convertible Thud! The Story of the F-105 Driver who Flew his Aircraft with the Canopy Off at 695 Knots over North Vietnam
by Dario Leone“I flipped the manual canopy unlock lever under the canopy rail and the canopy went like it had been blown off.…
‘Republic submitted the “Thunderchief” name on Jun. 29, 1956, and the air force granted formal approval on Jul. 25,’ Mike Machat,…
- Cold War EraMilitary AviationWeapons
Reflections of a “Thud” Weasel on the Massive AGM-78 Standard Anti-Radiation Missile
by Dario Leone“At any rate, I had the technical representative, Bill Barbari, swear to me on a stack of Bibles that the AGM-78…
- Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
Thud Drivers! Former F-105 pilots explain what it was like flying the mighty Thud in Peace and War
by Dario LeoneThe Thud stability, unbeatable low-altitude speed and impressive size were unprecedented for a fighter. After its long-delayed entry into USAF service,…
- Cold War EraMiG KillersMilitary Aviation
F-105 Vs MiG-17: how a badly damaged Thud gun killed a North Vietnamese Fresco
by Dario LeoneAs the F-105 slowed without afterburner the MiG overshot and Tracy fired 200 rounds of 20 mm ammunition without the aid…
- Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
The story of the Wild Weasel Mission of F-105F Lincoln 03 and the Medal of Honor awarded to Maj. Merlyn Dethlefsen
by Dario LeoneThough he would have been in his right by USAF procedure to follow the rest of the aircraft and leave the…
- Aviation HistoryMilitary Aviation
Col. John “JB” Stone, the pilot who devised Operation Bolo, flies with the Wolf Pack one more time
by Dario LeoneOver some cheap beers with Olds and critical thought of the resources available, Col. John “JB” Stone devised the plan…
- Aviation HistoryCold War EraMilitary Aviation
A QUICK LOOK AT THE F-107A ULTRA SABRE, THE CENTURY SERIES FIGHTER THAT NEVER WAS
by Dario LeoneAfter seriously considering the production of the F-107A, the USAF instead chose to buy the F-105 Thunderchief The North American F-107A…
- Cold War EraMilitary Aviation
WHEN THE HUN WENT DOWNTOWN: THE STORY OF F-100’S ONLY ATTACK ON NORTH VIETNAMESE DEFENSES
by Dario LeoneThe enemy gunners, undaunted by the repeated attacks, had continued to put up a fierce defensive fire. But the elusive tactics…