Near Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

F-105D “Thunderchief”

Republic

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

1. F-105D “Thunderchief” Marker

Inscription. The YF-105 completed its maiden flight at Edwards AFB in October 1955, easily exceeding Mach One, even though it was powered by a J57 engine - much less powerful than its projected power plant, the J75. The D-model “Thud” added water injection to the J75 engine, along with updated avionics, attack equipment, and improved refueling features. It first flew in June 1959. A total of 833 Thunderchiefs of all types were built, including 610 F-105Ds. All models of the F-105 were flight tested at Edwards.

During the Vietnam War, the F-105D flew 75% of all air strikes against North Vietnam during it first four years. It could carry over 12,000 of ordnance, a heavier bomb load than the World War II B-17.

This Thunderchief was flight-delivered to Edwards in January 1984 from its last operational assignment with the 419th Tactical Fighter Wing (USAF Reserves) at Hill AFB, UT. It was faithfully restored in 2007 by the 412th Test Wing Surfaces Team.

On Loan from the National Museum of the USAF

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space •

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Military.

Location. 34° 52.273′ N, 117° 59.435′ W. Marker is near Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Rosamond Boulevard 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east. Located in Century Circle, just outside the West Gate of Edwards AFB. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

in the Mojave Desert,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: F-106B “Delta Dart” (a few steps from this marker); F-104A “Starfighter” (within shouting distance of this marker); TF-102A “Delta Dagger”

F-105D "Thunderchief" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

2. F-105D "Thunderchief" and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); YC-15 (within shouting distance of this marker); YF-100A “Super Sabre” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101B “Voodoo” (within shouting distance of this marker); YA-10B (approx. 4.8 miles away); NF-4C "Phantom II" (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Also see . . . Museum Website. Includes Century Circle and other locations, an aircraft inventory, and plans for the future museum. (Submitted on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)

Additional keywords. Air Force Flight Test Museum, Flight Test Historical Foundation

The "Thunderchief" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

3. The "Thunderchief"

Century Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

4. Century Circle

F-105D “Thunderchief” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2018

5. F-105D “Thunderchief”

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 713 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on November 5, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.