Hobby Master 1/72 HA2515 F-105D Thunderchief Cherry Girl61-0069 Vietnam War 1967

The F-105D was first accepted on September 28 1960 and became the major variant with 610 aircraft being built. Intended for a nuclear strike role but since the nuclear threat became less likely the role became a high-speed bomber. The Pitot tube was moved to the nose that had been extended approximately 15 inches more than the B. The D received strengthened landing gear and an arrestor hook in case it over shot the runway. During 1966 and 1967 F-105Ds managed to down 25 MiGs using the 20-mm cannon and 2 other using Side-Winder missiles.
Republic F-105D was built in 1961 with serial 61-0069 and c/n D264. The aircraft spent the next 3 years as a test aircraft. On March 23, 1967 F-105D joined the 469th TFS/388th TFW at Korat RTAFB, Thailand. On June 3, 1967 Captain Larry Wiggins with Cherry Girl painted on top of the nose damaged a MiG-17 with an AIM-9 missile and finished the job with his 20mm gun. Soon after the aircraft returned to the U.S.A. and ended its active service on a pedestal at the SAC Museum in Nebraska.