Republic’s F-105 Thunderchief (also known as the Thud) was developed in response to a requirement for a fast, single-seat fighter aircraft capable of carrying an atomic weapon. With an internal bomb bay loaded with an atomic weapon, the F-105 initially stood alert in Europe, under the control of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). A short time later, F-105s sat on alert in the Pacific Air Force (PACAF), stationed in Okinawa and Korea. The F-105 soldiered on for just over a decade after the Vietnam War, before being retired from service.

With 150+ photos spread over 96 pages, this book emphasizes the Thud’s pre-Vietnam and post-Vietnam service. There is a brief development overview of the Thud, and a chapter on the Thud’s service in the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), with squadrons and missions, including the “Victor Alert”, standing nuclear alert.

The Thud’s pre-Vietnam service in the Pacific Air Force (PACAF) is also covered, including standing nuclear alert in Korea. Both the USAFE and PACAF sections have many photographs of the Thud in the pre-camouflage days.

Post-Vietnam service and the Thud’s transfer to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve is also covered, as is the retirement of the aircraft. Only 95 F-105s of various models survived to be sent to the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ.

I found this book to be a fascinating photo study of the F-105’s peacetime service. Much has been written about the F-105’s combat service in Vietnam, but very little has been written about the F-105’s pre- and post-Vietnam service. Add in the dozens of photographs, including many never before published, and you have a good reference for the markings and exterior finishes of the aircraft. I would highly recommend this book to the modeler or aviation enthusiast.

Thank to Key Publishing and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this book! Go out and buy it!