The Jet:

The F-105F was basically a two seat F-105D. It had a taller vertical tail with a broader chord, longer fuselage (31 inches) and a 2000 lb. higher gross weight. The 143 F-105Fs produced were actually converted from the last 143 F-105Ds scheduled for production.  No F-101F's were actually produced as Fs from the beginning.

The F-105F RE-1 first entered service in 1966 as part of a program called Wild Weasel 3, where the designation changed to EF (electronic fighter).   This platform later matured into the last of the 105s the F-105G.  The EF-105 was the prototype name with EF-105F 962-4416) being the test bed. It was equipped with the same gear as the Wild Weasel 1 F-100F, an ATI Vector 4 system, now designated APR-25 (V), with antennas under the nose and on the trailing edge of the vertical fin; the ATI IR-133C panoramic scan receiver; and the ATI WR-300 launch Warning Receiver (LWR) now designated APR-26.  Additional equipment included the AZ-EL; system which provided both azimuth and elevation bearing of threat.  The AZ-EL system had four diamond shaped antenna, 90 degrees around the nose of the aircraft.  The EF-105F 
Thunderchiefs retained their internal General Electric M-61 20mm Vulcan Cannon which had a capacity of 1028 rounds and fire rate of 6,000 rounds per minute.

The Kit

Monogram first released the F-105 series in the early 1980s and has since re-released the F-105D in 1999, probably due to modeler demand (I would think).  Either way the F-105 series included the F-105D, F, and G.  The "F" was molded in silver and the others in dark OD Green.  The surface detail  consisted of finely raised lines that are dead on.  This kit has two very detailed cockpits with sidewall detail molded on to the fuselage sides, detail that was arguably the very best in any scale at the time and still to
this day can hold its own to resin IMO.  The is very little if any flash on the parts and all kits came with Mk. 82 and 117 bombs, fuel tanks and M-61 muzzle, separate exhaust petals/speed breaks.  The decals were standard Monogram for the time.  They had "MILK" for glue out of register and would silver easily.  The fit of the kit was and still is great throughout all though you had to sand the exhaust/burner can and radome for better fit.  
This for some odd reason varied from kit to kit.  I have built eight total and plan to build more…it's a "THUD" what do ya expect!!!! 

The first things that MUST be replaced are the pitot tube, , I replaced mine with brass tube and a straight pin, look for some aftermarket decals The only real problem I have found to be consistent with all the105 kit's are the main landing gear, they will break sooner or later from handling and transport, and it doesn't matter how careful you are it just happens…it will shake its tail at the slightest bump. To prolong their life I carefully drilled out the centers and inserted  straightened paper clips cut to length and coated the finished landing gear legs with a coat of  "thin" super glue. The F-105 stands taller
then any other single engine jet and has great lines…down right sexy!  If I'm not mistaking the F-105 was the largest single engine jet aircraft produced.
I decided to do the EF-105F because of all the history behind it.  I started this kit three times…after three years 1991-1994…tired of watching it sitting there collecting dust, I completed it.

I started building it OTB but then realized it needed some attention so I added MV lenses to all the landing gear lights, in the cockpit I scratch built the standby compass,
APR-25/26 strobe scope, and then added mirrors. I rebuilt the combat camera and modified the out board pylons.  I cut the seat backs out and replaced them with kitchen foil after pressing the foil in a heavily riveted kit.  To keep the rivet detail I coated the foil with thin super glue.  O2 hoses made from stretched sprue then wrapped with stretched sprue. The kit was painted with Model Master enamels, Tamiya clears, Futured, applied super scale and kit decals, then coated with Testors Dull Coat.  All paint and clear coats applied with a Badger 150 airbrush.  The panel lines were highlighted with black pastel chalk the sealed with Dull Coat. 

There have been a ton of decals and aftermarket items and reference material released for the F-105 since I completed this kit.  And rumor has it Tamiya or  Hasegawa have plans to do a 105. Black Box also has announced a resin cockpit for the "G".  I bet they are waiting to see if there will be a newly tooled THUD to hit the
shelves.  Teknics (48050) brass landing gear is a must. I for one think that if this kit is retooled by Revell/Monogram with recessed panel lines and strengthened main legs…then Tamiya or Hawsegawa will have a hard time competing with the lower priced, equally or better Revell/Monogram offering, unless its done in 1:32nd…OOOOH now that would be a dream come true.

Until this happens the 1:48 Revell/Monogram F-105 will continue being the best there is…IMO.  Build this kit and enjoy its Beauty and I will be building another of the same subject "Sinister Vampire" (63319) and this time with all the new aftermarket goodies to boot...come on Black Box.  If 1:48 is too big for you then you will be happy to know that the Monogram F-105G can sill be had in 1:72, and it's AWESOME.

Le Vander 
IPMS 37744

Reference Material used:    Detail & Scale Vol.8 F-105 Thunderchief
Squadron/Signal Publications "Wild Weasel" the SAM Suppression Story
Osprey Air Combat, Republic F-105 Thunderchief

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