The Republic F-105 was designed from the outset as a fighter-bomber with some air to air capability. It was designed to carry its weapons in an internal bomb bay and to be able to deliver that load at supersonic speeds. If nothing else, the F-105 is VERY fast at low level. Its competitor in the fly-of was an F-100 follow-on from North American, the F-107. The F-107 was a very capable aircraft and equally as fast, however, the nod was given to the Republic entry, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Thunderchief or 'Thud' as it was generally called, was the most capable USAF fast attack bomber in the inventory when the Vietnam War heated up in the mid-1960's. Almost every 105D built saw action in that conflict as did a number of F-105F twin seaters as well as the 105G Wild Weasel. Because of the high use of the Thud and the ferocity of ground defences, it  should come as no real surprise that a huge number of airframes were lost in that conflict.

When the war was over, the few surviving airframes were incorporated into some ANG and Reserve squadrons as the USAF had replaced them with the F-4 Phantom II. The last F-105s in service were the F-105Gs of the 128 TFS Georgia ANG and were retired in the mid-1980's. 

If you  have ever built the Monogram 1/48 F-105D kit, then this one will look VERY familiar. In fact, it is the 1/48 kit pantographed, or shrunk down in size. This is a cost effective way of getting a 1/72 scale kit as you know that the parts will fit and that the engineering is sound. This is what Tamiya is currently doing with a number of their more popular 1/48 kits. 

With the Revell offering, you get positionable exhaust petals, long range fuel tanks, a nicely detailed interior and wheel wells, a MER centerline bomb rack with bombs, two wing pylons with bombs and a canopy that can be displayed open or closed. You also get a pilot figure. Detailing is of the raised panel variety.

Instructions are typical of Revell/Monogram and have 28 construction steps as well as a good paint and decal guide with FS numbers given for the camouflage colors. The rest of the paint callouts are generic in nature and are shown throughout the construction sequence where needed. There is a small decal sheet for one aircraft, 'Memphis Belle II' of the 357 TFS. As with most R-M decals of that time period, they are glossy and probably will work well if you gloss the aircraft surface prior to application. However, these decals have a reputation for being less than perfect so an aftermarket set is probably a good idea.

It is much to the dismay of Thud Lovers everywhere that this kit hasn't seen the light of day since its initial issue back in 1988. As a result, it is much in demand, and though can be found at swap meets, generally sells for higher than it did when first produced.

It is a good kit that is well designed and builds into a super model. If you can find one, get it!

Review kit courtesy of the fine editor at Modeling Madness!

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