Republic JF-105B Thunderchief

Last revised January 5, 2003





The designation RF-105B was assigned to a projected photographic reconnaissance version of the F-105B. The E-34 ranging radar and M61 six-barrel rotary cannon and related ammunition were to be replaced with mountings and openings for up to five cameras. The defensive armament would be a pair of M39A1 20-mm cannon mounted in bulges on the fuselage sides underneath the air intakes. The bomb bay was to be replaced by an extra 340 US-gallon fuel tank.

Three RF-105B prototypes were ordered with serial numbers 54-105, 54-108, and 54-112. In addition, 17 production RF-105Bs were ordered.

However, the Air Force decided to acquire the McDonnell RF-101 Voodoo as the replacement for the RF-84F Thunderflash, and the RF-105B contract was cancelled in July of 1956. Nevertheless, the three RF-105B prototypes that had been ordered were completed as JF-105B with modified noses but without the photographic equipment. They were used for various tests, notably taking part in stores separation trials.

Serials of JF-105B:

54-105			Republic JF-105B-1-RE Thunderchief
54-108			Republic JF-105B-1-RE Thunderchief
54-112			Republic JF-105B-2-RE Thunderchief

References:


  1. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

  2. The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.

  3. Fighters of the United States Air Force, Robert F. Dorr and David Donald, Temple Press Aerospace, 1990.

  4. American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition, Ray Wagner, Doubleday, 1982.

  5. Post-World War II Fighters, 1945-1973, Marcelle Size Knaack, Office of Air Force History, 1986.

  6. The World Guide to Combat Planes, William Green, MacDonald, London, 1966

  7. The World’s Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday, 1964.

  8. The Aircraft of the World, William Green and Gerald Pollinger, Doubleday, 1965.

  9. The Thunder Factory, Joshua Stoff, Motorbooks, 1990.

  10. Thud, Part 1, Christian Jacquet, Air Fan International, Vol 1, No. 3, March 1996.

  11. Thud, Part 2, Christian Jacquet, Air Fan International, Vol 1, No. 4, May 1996.

  12. Warplane Classic–Republic F-105 Thunderchief, Larry Davis, International Air Power Review, Vol 6, 2002.