Republic F-105D Thunderchief – Memphis Belle 11, USAF Vietnam

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA2503: Republic F-105D Thunderchief “Memphis Belle II”, 357th TFS, 355th TFW, Buddy Jones, USAF, Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, 1966. Production run of 2,000 models, of which only a few were imported to the UK.

Length 10.75 inches Wingspan 5.75 inches

PLEASE NOTE: Box lid upper has some marks, as per photos

The F-105Ds of the 357th TFS, 355th TFW were based at RTAB (Royal Thai Air Base) Takhli, Thailand from 1966 to 1970. The Thud with serial number 60-0504 had been given the name “Memphis Belle II” to honour the WWII B-17. The F-105 pilot was Major Buddy Jones who is credited with 2 MiG-17 victories. The aircraft is on display at the USAF Museum, wearing two red stars below the cockpit to represent the MiG-17 kills, plus a couple of campaign ribbons. Also the Belle herself painted in her familiar blue bathing suit.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief first entered service in 1958. It had been designed for high-speed low-level penetration to deliver a nuclear bomb but was converted to deliver conventional payloads. It was the largest U.S. single-engined fighter ever made and could carry a greater bomb load than the B-17, B-24 or B-29. Best known for its action in Vietnam the F-105 flew over 20,000 combat missions with the loss of 382 aircraft out of the 833 produced.