Lackland AFB F-105s Revisited

[Randy Haskin]

A while back there was a discussion here regarding a flightline at Lackland AFB which has 10 more or less 'prisitine' Thuds. I made it out there yesterday and took a couple photos for y'all. These are used by the USAF Security Force training center to teach flightline security.



Lookin' good!


For you serial number hounds, here are the tail numbers. Can't vouch for their authenticity, but this is what is painted on each of the tails at least!

62-228
62-318
62-259
62-353
61-106
61-115
62-279
61-199
61-108
62-346

[CH2Tdriver]

Now if only someone would do a Vietnam airwar movie, they would be all set for the flight line scenes.

[RickH]

Randy, thanks. What kind of shape do they really look like they are in ? Are they complete or gutted like a static ? Do they have engines ?

[tom d. friedman]

they look much better than previously described in the original thread!! somebody their is at least giving them cosmetic "tlc" they deserve as a fabulous warhorse!!

[Originalboxcar]

Thanks for posting Randy. Very nice!

regards,

t~

[Randy Haskin]

Randy, thanks. What kind of shape do they really look like they are in ? Are they complete or gutted like a static ? Do they have engines ?

The pipes are plugged inside the speed brake petals, so I would *guess* that they do not have engines...but I don't know that for sure. The canopies are also completely painted over, so I can't tell what the cockpits look like.

If the outside appearance is any indication, though, they're pretty well preserved -- as good as outdoor static displays can be, I suppose.

[N3Njeff]

I cant describe how awsome that looks..

[N3Njeff]

I went to my fav list and pulled up Craig bakers F-105 site and there is a pic of 259 in Vietnam. Whoever posted these pics, you might want to send them to him for his site......its pretty impressive!!!

[ramprat]

Prior to the F-105s I thought they had a simulated flight line with F-84s. Am I remembering this correctly or am I just getting old?

[RickH]

Randy, there was another ramp that, if you looked in the right spot, you could see from HWY 90. On that ramp were 100s, 102s, and I believe at least a 101. I don't remember anything earlier. They were painted overall green, kind of a pukey green at that. There were multiples of each type. See anything resembling this description ?

[Randy Haskin]

Randy, there was another ramp that, if you looked in the right spot, you could see from HWY 90. On that ramp were 100s, 102s, and I believe at least a 101. I don't remember anything earlier. They were painted overall green, kind of a pukey green at that. There were multiples of each type. See anything resembling this description ?

Yes, I have some photos of that, too, that I'll post tomorrow. There were three green Huns, a F-102, an F-84F, and a F-101 in Texas ANG colors.

[RickH]

This from Aero-News,

'Red River Queen' Moving To Illinois Park
F-105 Will Be Displayed To Honor Its Pilot

A rare Republic F-105 Thunderchief that has been displayed at
Lackland AFB since the end of the Vietnam War is on its way to the
northwestern Illinois town of Centralia, where it will honor the
man who once flew the sleek fighter-bomber.

Clark Wiens began his quest to move the "Red River Queen" -- or,
as family members of the late Col. Bill Pachura call it, "Bill's
Thud" -- shortly after Pachura, Wien's brother-in-law, died of
cancer in 2002. Prior to Pachura's death, Wiens arranged a reunion
for the retired Colonel, and the airplane he flew, at Lackland --
where the F-105 was being used for security training exercises.

According to the Associated Press, Pachura retired from the Air
Force in the late 1970s as a lieutenant colonel and was the
recipient of two Distinguished Flying Cross awards. He is buried at
Arlington National Cemetary... but he was originally from
Centralia, and Wiens says several of his family members still live
in the town of 14,000.

After Pachura's death, Wiens renewed his efforts to have the
aircraft moved on his brother-in-law's behalf. He is also putting
together a 90-minute film using war footage on Pachura and his
fellow Vietnam-era pilots.

"It is the most rewarding thing I have done in my life," Wiens
told the AP. The costs of the project weren't important, he
added.

The aircraft will be trucked to Tulsa -- not far from the actual
Red River -- from the San Antonio-area base. The aircraft will then
be moved to its new home.
FMI: www.lackland.af.mil

For the WHOLE story, go to http://www.aero-news.net/news/military. ... 6e3afbf9ed

There used to be an F-105 on static at McGhee-Tyson here in Knoxville, on the airbase side of the airport near the barracks but clearly visible from the road. It was outside, basically in a paved parking area but looked to be in good shape. Around 1992 or '93, it was trucked to somewhere in the midwestern US but I don't remember where. There was an article in the paper at the time that suggested that this plane had made the last Thud flight ever (why to Knoxville?) but I have never been able to find out any specifics. I know that there was some restoration involved and it was supposedly going to a museum. Ring any bells for anyone?

There is an F-104 on a pole just inside the main gate at the National Guard Air Base now, in honor of the squadron's service during the Berlin Wall and Cuban Missile crises. They now fly KC-135's, including one with some Dolly Parton nose art.

Dave G

There used to be an F-105 on static at McGhee-Tyson here in Knoxville, on the airbase side of the airport near the barracks but clearly visible from the road. It was outside, basically in a paved parking area but looked to be in good shape. Around 1992 or '93, it was trucked to somewhere in the midwestern US but I don't remember where. There was an article in the paper at the time that suggested that this plane had made the last Thud flight ever (why to Knoxville?) but I have never been able to find out any specifics. I know that there was some restoration involved and it was supposedly going to a museum. Ring any bells for anyone?

There is an F-104 on a pole just inside the main gate at the National Guard Air Base now, in honor of the squadron's service during the Berlin Wall and Cuban Missile crises. They now fly KC-135's, including one with some Dolly Parton nose art.

Dave G

[sf46]

According to this newer photo, it appears that 62-318 is Colonel Pachura's plane that they pulled from the flight line to move to Ohio.