WT Forums

I just looked over a list of 30 MIG kills made by the F-105s. Only three of these MIGS were downed by missiles. ALL OTHERS were killed with the 20mm cannon

A major reason for that is that Thuds rarely carried more than one AIM 9, if they even carried that. the only A2A weapon available was the gun.

"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up"
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/jollyrogerspaintball/cup.gif" border=0>

_________________
\"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up\"

Thuds could carry 4 Sidewinders on twin launch racks on the outter pylons but your still dealing with first or second generation tail chasers, not a high percentage shot to say the leaste against nimble MiGs.

A 9mm MAY expand, but a 45 will NEVER shrink!

Edited by - boomer on Dec 05 2005 09:15 AM

_________________
The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

Thuds where mainly bomb trucks, laden with ordanance on the deck when they where jumped by Migs, thus their primary air to air weapon was the cannon. They often had to dump their bomb load to deal with the Mig's. I didn't realize the Thud drivers bagged that many...

If you are interested on that particular subject, I reccomend the book "Downtown" By Col. Jack Broughton.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Thuds where mainly bomb trucks, laden with ordanance on the deck when they where jumped by Migs, thus their primary air to air weapon was the cannon. They often had to dump their bomb load to deal with the Mig's. I didn't realize the Thud drivers bagged that many...

If you are interested on that particular subject, I reccomend the book "Downtown" By Col. Jack Broughton.


<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>I probly should have mentioned that, in addition to the " they rarely carried more than one" comment...

"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up"
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v60/jollyrogerspaintball/cup.gif" border=0>

_________________
\"One of you is gonna fall and die, and I'm not cleaning it up\"

My reference (The Republic F-105, Thunderchief by Robert D. Archer) tallys up 29 kills for F-105's, 2 Mig-21 and the rest Mig-17. I mention the types of kills to answer the inevitable question on whether these were sitting duck transports or observation types. They were front line fighters...amazing for a bomb truck with tiny wings. Two pilots had two kills on the same day (Captain Max C. Brestel on March 10, 1967, 1st Lt. David B. Waldrop on Aug 23, 1967). These facts sure make a case for a gun, or at least an equivalent close in weapon.

It ain't the heat it's the humility.

_________________
????

Thats the reason all new aircraft sould have a gun installed. Both a-10s in the First Gulf war 77-205 from New Orleans and 81-964 from Alconbury got their A2A kills with the GAU-8. Could not get the 9s to lock on.No matter how good your missile may be sometimes they just dont work.

I agree with the Gun need, remember the F-4 had that problem early on then the Gun pod was added then the F-4E with the gun.
Dice will Grill me if I'm wrong STAND CLEAR!

Goose

LIVE FREE OR DIE

_________________
\"Live Free Or Die\"