Republic F105-B Thunderchief (8484)

Developed to meet Air Force requirements for a supersonic single-seat fighter-bomber able to deliver heavy loads of conventional bombs and rockets and nuclear weapons at high speed over long ranges. The F-105 (popularly known as "Thud" and "Lead Sled") ended up as the heaviest single-seat fighter ever. It first flew in 1955 and played a vital role in Vietnam. The majority of all bombing of North Vietnam's most heavily defended targets was carried out by F-105s. They flew 101,000 strike missions and dropped 202,596 tons of bombs. This aircraft finished its service with the Utah Air National Guard and flew to retirement here in 1981.