Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Republic F-105 "Thunderchief"
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
1. Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" Marker
Role Fighter-Bomber
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Republic Aviation
First flight 22 October 1955
Introduction 27 May 1958
Retired 25 February 1984
Status Retired
Primary users United States Air Force
Produced 1955-1964
Number built 833
Propulsion 2 x Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W afterburning turbo jet; Dry thrust: 14,300 lbf Thrust with afterburner: 24,500 lbf (109 kN)
Unit cost US$2.14 million (F-105D, in 1960 dollars)
This Mach 2+ aircraft is one of the most legendary combat aircraft ever made. Developed as a tactical nuclear strike aircraft, it has a 20 foot bomb bay to carry its nuclear "shape"; fortunately it never flew this mission. Utilized as a tactical bomber in Vietnam, its exploits are legendary. 27 Mig fighters fell to its missiles and guns and was the first effective Wild Weasel platform. Our aircraft is the second oldest "Thud" in the world and this prototype was used in climate testing and also set 2 records for fighters in 1958.
General characteristics
Crew: 1 (2 for F-105C/E/F/G variants)
Payload: 14,000 lb (6,700 kg) of weapons
Length: 64 ft 4.75 in. (19.63 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 11.25 in (10.65 m)
Height: 19 ft 8in (5.99 m)
Wing area: 385 ft (35.76 m²)
Loaded weight: 61,000 lb (27,700 kg)
Airfoil: NACA 65A005.5 root, NACA 65A003.7 tip
Empty weight: 27,500 lb (12,470 kg)
Loaded weight: 35,637 lb (16,165 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 52,546 lb (23,834 kg)
Thrust/weight: 0.74
Lift-to-drag ratio: 10.4
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 2.08 (1,372 mph) at 36,000 ft (11,000,m)
Combat radius: 780 mi (680° pmi, 1,250 km)
Ferry Range: 2,210 mi (1,920 nm), 3,550km)
Service ceiling: 48,500 ft (14,800 m)
Rate of Climb: 38,500 ft/ min (195 m/s)
Wing loading: 93 lb/ft³ (452 kg/m³)
Guns: 1 x 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, 1,028 rounds
Hardpoints: 5 total: 4x under-wing, 1x centerline stations; internal bomb bay with a capacity of 14,000 lb of ordnance, including conventional and nuclear bombs, and AIM-9 Sidewinder and AGM-12 Bullpup missiles.
Erected by Hickory
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 1955.
Location. 35° 44.491′ N, 81° 23.36′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It can be reached from 9th Avenue Drive Northwest 0.6 miles 24th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west. The marker and aircraft display are part of the Hickory Aviation Museum located at Hickory Regional Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3101 9th Ave Dr NW, Hickory NC 28601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
2. Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" and Marker
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
3. Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" side view
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
4. Republic F-105 "Thunderchief" side view
Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 121 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
