F-105 Thunderchief | Behind the Wings
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2024
- F-105 Thunderchief | Behind the Wings
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Entering the U.S. Air Force in 1958, the Republic F-105 Thunderchief - nicknamed the “Thud” - was the largest single-seat fighter ever produced and flew more missions than any other American plane in the Vietnam War. Join curator Matthew Burchette as he tours this aircraft with former F-105 “Wild Weasel” pilot Charlie Johnson, who shares his amazing stories of flying the most dangerous missions over Vietnam.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum:
wingsmuseum.org
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Host, Curator:
Matthew Burchette
Creator, Producer:
Ben Theune
Camera, Editor:
Scott Hennelly
Music:
Joakim Karud - / joakimkarud
What an absolute gentleman! He is so polite, a role model for all of us.
Training. You can be a smartass somewhere else, but not in a 30 million dollar plane. You comport yourself well, or you're gone.
11 mid-air refuels for an 8 hours mission.. crazy!!
8 hour missions are on the short side when it comes to modern fighters flying modern sorties in OIR.
Little fuel capacity while dragging lots of external ordnance around results in lousy fuel economy and thus lots of refueling. Those old jet engines guzzled fuel.
@@everythingman987 Yes sir, very good point.
However I would still consider his missions one of the most stressful and exhausting, even though he wasn't carrier based platform.
My rational is the shear amount of casualties sustained - 40%. That's beyond awful. I would rather battle entire Luftwaffell rather than flying over Vietnam against the SAMS and Mig-17's.
I'm guessing 2 refuels and 2 hours going to the combat zone the once every half hour on station while you go into afterburner for combat then at the end once a hour for 2 hours coming home
This damn thing can carry, internal and external tanks, almost 19k pounds of fuel!!!! Small aircraft with single engine with that much gas, could stay airborne forever lol.
It always fascinates me watching these old pilots telling their stories, what a fantastic chap.
I'm going to tell him you said he's old, I don't think he'd be too happy with you.
Jack Wallace bugger
Jack Wallace
Start looking for a complete cockpit for his ejection seat.
Your grandfather is a great man and even better friend.
A chap? Isn't a chap a half of a pair of chaps? Just funnin'. You must be from Europe huh? Well, from Oakland California, peace...
If it has a bomb bay, why does it have an F designation instead of an A or B? Same goes for F-111 and F117? And why is a longhair dude so into bombing Vietnam?
I love the honesty, sincerity and humility of those men. A different generation.
You can say that again top fellas!👍👍
Oh I’m sure this guy was doing the same thing back then. Age and experience tempers you.
It’s one of the reasons why DT isn’t like this guy. He not only never served, but also is literally working for others for the first time in his life.
@Rombert Dillahuntsvalle ah ha ha ha spot on!
@@calvinnickel9995What has Trump got to do with this video? I am a strong supporter of Trump. When did Obama serve or work a day in his life? At least Trump wasn't showing off his ice cream like Pelosi did while the US population waited for her to vote on a relief fund or Pelosi signing Trump's impeachment form the very day he was cancelling inward bound flights from China and Europe to keep COVID out. Leave Trump alone.
@@Toncor12 Obama didn't dodge the draft five times with phony bone spurs fiction. Trump got Pearl Harbored by his own inflated ego regarding Covid-19. LOLOLOL
I have a friend who flew F-105s in Vietnam. He flew 100 missions and brought back the plane 99 times. One time he landed dead stick in Thailand, a feat no one else ever duplicated.
Did he survive the flight where he didn't bring the plane back?
@@stevenwg2360 Yes, he was picked up by Jolly Greens, under fire, as he was suspended in the trees along Thud Ridge. There is a video out there of him being interviewed after his rescue where he says the training and emergency equipment saved his life.
If you can find the old
"Wings" episode on the F-105 from the Discovery channel, i am sure you would enjoy it.
@@i.r.wayright1457 Jack Modica?
@@IC3SJC No, it was Capt. Jim Walbridge. He recently had his 90th birthday. He rose to the rank of Lt, Col. and was a squadron commander of F-111 in the UK.
Volunteering to fly into the teeth of AA fire to take out SAM sites. Talk about bravery.
well if you think about Vietnamese pilot side having to get in the mig 17 and 19/ 21 having to facing the strongest airforce in the world + a huge chance of being shot down by your own flak and sam , then having to worried about your love one below ( your wife / girlfriend / family vv ) and you fly until the war end which you don't know when , I think being American pilot during the war are way better then being a Vietnamese pilot really + our pilot fear of our own sam / aa then anything :) early during the war while defending the long bien brigde many of the mig17 were shot down by friend flak who are newbie ( early of the war ) if I remember correct during one day there were 3 or 4 mig 17 shot down by our own aa near long bien brigde while they trying to defend it from American f105/f8/a4/f4 vv
HUGE BALLS !!!!........Thank You for your Vietnam combat service !!
inoue jerry you speak the truth my friend
@@inouelenhatduy The Vietcong shot down more US and South Vietnam Planes totaling around 11,000 half being Helicopters. Vietcong only lost 100-200 planes.
The Great One I think the point he was making was that they were up against probably the most advanced and powerful nation at the time and tried to defend their homeland.......brave men indeed on both sides. BTW I think you meant NVA the Vietcong didn't have an airforce
"I never got hit. You either got hit and didn't survive, or didn't get hit."
Considering the attrition rate during 'Nam, and of this plane in particular, that's quite a feat. Glad he lived to tell us all about it.
In the early 60's, I built models of the F100, F102, F104, & F105. This was my favorite because my uncle actually helped design the air intake on it. He was an awesome guy and was proud of his work on that. Beautiful plane. He later helped design the boosters for the Saturn 5 rockets. Uncle Don was loads of fun to sit and talk to.....so many stories. As for the guys that flew these planes.....heroes, one and all. Thank you for your service sir! And thank you for the video. Well done.
I have had the priveledge of meeting and talking to Mr. Johnson on several occasions about his time flying the "Thud." He is a legitimate "Sky God" in my book, and also a perfect Gentleman.
Jim Baumann
I’m very lucky that I was introduced to Charlie by my friend Frank. He is probably one of the best people I’ve ever met. I feel pretty honored that he keeps inviting me back.
Wow, that's amazing.
Dove INTO AA fire, what an absolute warrior of a chap.
Hat's off to Mr. Johnson.
Thanks, Charlie. As a 19 year old Thud crew chief at Korat you guys had a huge positive influence on my life. Ended up being a 747 pilot at United.
THE 105'S DIDN'T GET AS MUCH CREDIT AS THEY SHOULD OF. GREAT AIRPLANE AND BRAVE MEN THAT FLEW THEM. THANK YOU GUYS!
Should *have* or *should've*.
Everyone who either flew or worked on this aircraft actually loved it. I am amazed just how far advanced it was for late 50s.
_Century Series!!!_ Grew up when the Century Series aircraft were coming into service. F-100, F-101, F-102, F-104, F-105, F-106. Still my favorites.
You will never see another range of aircraft like that series.
Just think if the future , F35 F35 F35 and the odd F22
From McConnell AFB, Wichita, Ks I was deployed to Korat AB, Thailand in 1965-66 with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing’s F-105’s. As a Crew Chief I worked with some of the bravest men I’ve known! From getting them situated and strapped into their ejection seats to debriefing them about their aircraft this was amazing life & death experience! We were losing aircraft to ground fire, SAMS and occasional Mig attacks. These brave pilots had their hands full but I never heard complaints.
One of the largest single seat fighters ever built. The THUD is one of my favorite planes.
This damn thing can carry, internal and external tanks, almost 19k pounds of fuel!!!! Small aircraft with single engine with that much gas, could stay airborne forever lol.
The '105 was flown by our best and bravest. My hat is off to those boys.
Definitely a sobering feeling growing up my whole life knowing my grandpa flew these in Vietnam, but as I get older, I definitely have a lot more respect and awareness for the true awesomeness of this plane.
Charles Johnson, the legend that survived 'Thud Ridge' ..respect
Thank you, Capt. Johnson for your service!
Amazing debt of gratitude to all the vets in Vietnam
Another American hero! Thank you sir!
Volunteering for Weasel duty? YGBSM ! Hats off.
I was 388th AEMS Korat 67-69. ECM Pods.
I enjoy the "Behind the Wing" videos that include interviews with the actual aviators that flew the aircraft.
That is the definition of a Top Gun. Thank you for your service, Charlie (American Hero)
The F-105 Thunderchief has been a hobby abd intrest for me since 1968. I have seen many UA-cam videos on it, but this one is about the best . The big difference is having a veteran who actually flew the plane do the walkaround. Great job and Thanks to the Wings over the Rockies Air and Space Museum!
I can sit down ... with a bag of popcorn and listen to his combat stories all day man😳..
BURCHETTE: *"So what was it like flying something with this much power?"*
JOHNSON: *"Fun."*
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Such a typical fighter pilot response. :) MB
@@Wings_Museum >>> 👌👌
I remember falling in love with this air craft the moment I heard about the Wild Weasel variant and I just have to agree with Matthew when he says "the more I learn about this machine, the more I'm impressed by it". Absolutely incredible video gentlemen, keep up the good work!
I’m an old sailor, but I love the Thud & the guts the pilots had.
Thank You , Both Of YOU !!!!!
Thank You for Showcasing This Great American Hero... and this beautiful Plane!!
This was one of our favorite planes to make an episode on! And Charlie was the perfect guest to tell its story. Thanks for watching!
I've always admired the F-105, it's a beautiful aircraft. Thank you for the video and thank Charlie Johnson for his excellent service. Pilots are such cool people.
Charlie, thank you for your service. You are truly a genuine American warrior.
One of my instructors in USAF pilot training was a combat Vet Thud guy. We worshipped him.
After hearing Charlie's stories, anyone who flew the Thud has our respect. Sounds like you have the same feeling!
Thank you for your service Mr Johnson!
Charlie Johnson is the coolest!
These old pilots are so proud, proper & humble. Real gentleman.
I worked on these badass planes for 4 years, all after Vietnam. I've been an auto and diesel mechanic, but I loved working on this plane more than any machine I've ever touched. They were built for maintenance, 4 bolts held the whole aft section on. You could change out the batteries as fast as you could on a car. The "Thud" name came from the afterburners though. I think they were 5 stage, but they all kicked in at once and it sounded like a small bomb going off and shook the ground. Later, on planes like the F4 with the J79 engines, the afterburner rings kicked in sequence, one stage at a time and it was a smoother transition.
With sacrificing more bombs, with max internal and max external fuel tanks, the F105 carried, 2,810 gallons. That's close to, 19k pounds of fuel, for a small single seat, single engine. Lol nuts
I love this channel. For some reason I'm fascinated by the Vietnam War and the US Air Force. Those US fighter pilots are heroes. Regards from Germany.
Thanks, Ripper! MB
Charlie Johnson is one badass dude! What a wonderful man. Thank you Sir!
My very close friend Joe Grimaud , Major , USAF retired who lives in Chaplin,South Carolina was a wild weasel pilot of the F105. He told me about his mission identifying and hitting those SAM sites, and dodging those telephone poles , what they called the missles. He would go in at 700 mph and then after strike would turn on his afterburner to accelerate to 1100 mph. One time he had forgotten to turn off his afterburner which was rapidly sucking up fuel. Just before almost having to ditch in the Gulf of Tonkin he got to the tanker to refuel. Of the six aircraft in his squadron, three were shot down, and he was lucky and never got hit when flying 100 missions over North Vietnam. His Electronics Warfare Officer in the back seat was really of great value.
Incredible interview to the pilot that literally walked or "flew" into the cats mouth! True professional warrior! RESPECT!!! Another great video Matt B!
I just moved to Aurora and I'm going to this museum today!
You should! The F-105 is still out on the hangar floor; you can get right up to it.
F105. Bad looking tough bird. I met a pilot who flew with Jack Broughton of Thud Ridge fame. Great book.
He sure did answer "Fun," quickly and without missing a beat! No doubt, this Pilot really enjoyed flying this Aircraft.
Remarkable aircraft. Remarkable gentleman to have survived when so many other F-105 pilots didn't. Great video. Thank you.
Thanks, Bruce! MB
Thanks. Great Airplane, US Air Force Republic F-105 Thunderchief,and Pilot Charlie Johnson.
I am a baby boomer of the Wonder Years, "Nam was the background to my childhood. As much as we hated our governments for conscripting so many of our people into this corrupt police action and then having them KIAed, conversely, what an adventure and how good are our veterans! I have the privilege of knowing hundreds of you socially and through my profession.
These videos are terrific. If I ever make it to America, I would very much like to visit at the Museum. Thanks!
Why bring personal political view into this?
@@nexpro6118
Why not? Don't you admire Russia's magnificent Kalibre missile that is dominating in the Special Operation in the Ukraine?
@@AussieMaleTuber you mean the few dozen that they have? Lol. And found out that the guidance system was mis managed and the software is all fucked up and old hardware for its guidance system lol. They cannot afford to put it in full production for it to be used successfully
@@nexpro6118
Cheers Frank from the NSW Outback! That's not coming from Russian sources, and it would very much seem that our fine tatooed N@zi friends have been totally Kalibrated in the last couple of months, awful daily losses. Every time a large group of Western volunteers is brought together in one place in western areas of the Ukraine, their barracks become re-Kalibrated. Now and as of today, the new SAMAT ICBM is entering full production, do you for one moment think that Russia would be building SAMATS at the expese of Kalibre and the other tactical missiles it fires historical amount s of each day? The West has only a fraction of the supplies of war material and manufacturing capacity of Russia. So far for example, Russia has fired more artillery shells against the N@zi's, than America can produce in 3 years. I hope you don't live in Europe Frank, you are heading for a cold winter and reduced dietary intake and loss of personal transport unless the EU negotiates with the Russian Federation I reckon... in my estimation.
Thank you for your service Charlie
This is awesome. Captain Bob (my dad) refueled these 105s late '65 through '66. Mad respect for these Thud drivers.
With sacrificing more bombs, with max internal and max external fuel tanks, the F105 carried, 2,810 gallons. That's, 18,880 pounds of fuel for a small single seat, single engine. Lol nuts
Great video, Charlie was my Flight Instructor back in the 1970's. Flew with him in Gates Learjet Test Flights and several times with Arnold Palmer. He is what you see, one great guy and pilot! RJW Wisc.
Now THAT is cool! MB
Maximum respect, Charlie. You've got the right stuff! 👍
Charlie Johnson: American Badass. Sir, from one Veteran to another; thank you for your service.
One of the Best looking aircraft of all time!
My favorite plane of all time and my favorite group of pilots of all time.
Great video. One of my friends was a Wild Wiesel Pilot flying the F4C. He did not talk much about it but when he did-AMAZING stories!
Thank you for your service, Captain
The more I watch these videos, the more I want to plan a roadtrip to come see you guys...and stop at Omaha at the SAC museum while I am at it!
If you're coming from the East on Interstate 80 You know your close to the sac Museum when you see an F 105 hanging off the right side of the road. You probably have maybe five miles to go. It's actually a good place to go. Kind of crowded with a B-36 Peacemaker in there and early B-52. It's a lot of history
Awesome! Can you do the F-14 next?
in iran we still have them in service. i went to airshow few month ago and saw it in action. its fucking awesome.
@@king-amir3401 did you know that the Iranian F-14 are almost completely different in terms of instrument and spare parts which slowly dwindled the aircraft numbers but the first Ace in an F-14 is Jalil Zandi an Iranian pilot who flew during the Iraq-Iran War
@@mr.tedious7312 wasn't Tom Cruise the first F-14 Ace in 1984?
@@soundknight 😂 well played
Mr. Tedious Didn’t the Iranians make the F14 into some sort of a Frankenstein plane by taking parts from other planes and even some MiGs?
Years ago I was at an AirShow where the last Air National guard units 105's made their appearance! They made a low/slow pass. Then a high-speed pass over our airport! Was pretty Damn AWESOME to see/hear/ feel that rumble!
So this episode was about two hours too short ;). I'd love to see more talk with these two guys on this plane!!!!
We'd love to shoot longer videos too. So many planes, so little time!
@@Wings_Museum Please do, that was very well done indeed!
Check out Peninsular Seniors video channel from the Western Museum of Flight, they have long form talks from former pilots and aerospace engineers.
ua-cam.com/video/SuGhndrGobY/v-deo.html
Amazon Prime has a documentary called Thud Pilots.
@@michaelquiroz5112 ill have to check that out. but amazon prime also doesnt have matthew burchette and charlie johnson! im needing to see more of these 2 guys!
Loved this plane since I read Thud Ridge as a teenager. In 1979 I went to Army basic at Fort Dix and I still remember the 105s from McGuire going over our heads whole slogging through the mud LOL. What a story they had.
i salute you mr johnson , its a priviledge
SIR , my respect , proud of you .....
Thank You for your service and welcome home
What a legend that pilot is
Want to mention that this war veteran looks good. He is hard as nail. Good-looking. Appreciated by his country.
In my country (Russia). These people have bottom-low pensions. Obscured and forgotten by most.
Since Russia is a mafia-state, everything that doesn't work for propaganda or income is obscured so the HUGE Russian aviation history rusting on the fields. Only very few enthusiasts keep everything in something resembling order. Just look (closely) at Monino, or khodynka aerodrome.
We in Russia are jealous of your attention to your history.
I’m sorry to hear that. Anyone who wears a uniform in the service of their country, no matter where they are from, should be taken care of once they have given their time.
All the best to you and hello from Australia!👍😉
Greeting from the US. Russia's aviation legacy is rich. I have great respect for the the pilots and engineering of Russia. It's somewhat depressing to hear your perspective on Russia, but hopefully the aviation history in your country can be kept alive.
What NGO do you work for. Just look at all the Victory Day parades in Russia in most cities big and small with the younger generation carrying pictures of their countrymen who made the ultimate sacrifice. Low pensions, just look at the countless homeless vets in the USA. I dont know what your agenda is. Perhaps another mafia state is paying your salary.
Alexander Kartveli, Republic Aviation is Russian/Georgian from Tblisi; Alexander Kartveli - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Kartveli
Alexander Kartveli, born Aleksandre Kartvelishvili, (Georgian: ალექსანდრე ქართველიშვილი) (September 9, 1896 - June 20, 1974) was an influential aircraft engineer and a pioneer in the United States. Kartveli achieved important breakthroughs in military aviation in the time of turbojet fighters.
Nationality: Georgian Born: 9 September 1896; Tbilisi, Georgia, Rus..
Brilliant video! Thanks so much!
You're welcome! It was a fun one to make.
God bless you and thank you, Capt. Johnson.
Charlie is the MAN...!!
Nice documentary..
Love the pilot interviews! Old war stories have always fascinated me.
This channel is great! Being Aircrew on a KC-135, I love hearing stories including A/R.
What a pleasant person to talk to. Im glad he is still sharing his stories.
My uncle Glen Gidel flew these and so did my friends father Lt. Flom who was in the Hanoi Hilton and when he came home was so cool to his son and me and took us for a drive in his DeTamaso Pantera! Loved hearing stories from them.
There is a wreaked F-105 in the Piute mountains next to China Lake Naval Weapons Center we visit on our Dirt Bikes. The Pilot lived. It had the nuclear bomb telescoping devise on it. It was all still there ( in 2008) except the gun which I heard somebody carrier out.
Another beautiful vintage warbird!
Isn’t Charlie a great guy? I enjoy every second I can spend with him.
I would love Matthew to do these at the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson, he would have content for decades.
It's a true shame that the staggering 105 losses stemmed mostly from the Navy and Air Force being shackled to an overly limiting strike plan by suits in DC who were buried in spreadsheets and their fear of retaliating against the Soviet and Chinese forces aiding the North Vietnamese.
Respect for the forces, shame for the suits.
Bullshit. Same "stabbed in the back" story the Germans used after being soundly defeated in the field during WWI, and as an excuse to re-arm and kick off WWII. True story: The Vietnamese people, residents of a third-world country subsisting on primitive agriculture, beat the U.S. onslaught of high-tech death by pure bravery and the sacrifice of millions of innocent lives. If you want to know the true role of the majority of the U.S. ground troops in Vietnam, read Kill Anything That Moves by Nick Turse. The slaughter launched from the air approached genocide.
You are so right Adam Frazier.
@@Hopeless_and_Forlorn No "approached" about it. It was genocide, and Vietnam has still not recovered.
Staggering? 290 loses in over 4 years of combat while flying a tremendous number of sorties plus all the ROE restrictions. Far from Staggering.
Just love that plane. My favourite Vietnam War bird. Thank you for the video.
That pilot is legendary. So cool that you were able to get him to talk about the plane and his experiences.
nice to see a hero tell his story or part of his stories be fun to have a beer with.
Matthew I have loved all your videos, this one was special! It was wonderful Chris had so much to do with it too
Thanks, Andrew! MB
Great video, presenter and guest as well as an exceptional aircraft.
Thank you for what you did for this man. Every old person should have chance to spend time with something special from their young age.
The Thud..... One of my favorite birds.
What a humble man pilot Johnson is. He kept his keen sense of humour despite the terrible losses of his comrades and didn’t big up what he did. Even though you know it was beyond our mental grasp ‘our’ being wrapped up in cotton wool civilians!👍😳😀
Outstanding presentation. Thank you.
I was a USAF officer and always wanted to be a Thud pilot. The Thud was gone when I became active and now seeing its faults am glad I was relegated to later aircraft. Salute to my mates, however.
Matthew could make even the uninitiated take interest in aviation history. If I ever find myself in the neighborhood WINGS is definitely on my to-do list
I do enjoy your exuberant presentation style! 👍
Love these videos...
Awesome plane, and awesome pilot! Cool as they come.
I enjoy hearing from the experienced pilots that we still have. Hats off to the pioneers and thank you for your service !!!!
I love watching the joy on their faces when these pilots get to sit in the cockpits of the aircraft they flew again. The thought of him swinging by the museum sometimes to spend some time sitting in the seat is really wholesome.
Thanks for the video very nice airplane, and also great watch for my birthday
When will the Tomcat get some love?
WAIT
_THEY HAVE A TOMCAT?_
*dangerzone intensifies
Nicollas Alexandre I like _mighty wings_
It’s underrated some times
@@merlin5324 They got lots of planes, including an F-14 in VF-211 markings
Dan W I need me one of those
What a lovely guy. Thank you sir.
what a special treat and an AWESOME Pilot. ..what a cool dude. !!
Thud what a beast! Can’t imagine trying to man handle a 105!