Any insights on the F-105 at the Zanesville Ohio Airport???

[Rauhbatz]

Im going to call Archie at the USAF Records Dept at Maxwell for more info...but wondered if any of my WIX colleagues would know much about this bird.

F-105B-15RE 57-5792 - Zanesville Municipal Airport, Zanesville, Ohio

The airport manager thought it came from North Carolina...

I'm not familar with F-105 models so any insights welcome (from the serial # I think it was built in 1957 and might be a recon bird with the -RE suffix)

I think we are going to start on this aircraft with the desired outcome to be similar to the KVTA Newark Ohio

Hey there Rick H...any G2 from the Collings Group on F-105s is welcome...

[SIDSIKO]

Looks like it spent most of it's time with the 108th TFG, ANG at McGuire AFB

Sid

[Chris Brame]

The -RE suffix refers to the builder, i.e. Republic. A recon bird would be marked RF-105.

[Rauhbatz]

Hi Sidsiko....any sources you can give me on tracing the lineage of this aircraft would be helpful...

I think it may have been at the old Florence Air And Missile Museum years back as it came from SC in the late 1990's...

[gale_dono]

A photo seems to show her as a former Thunderbirds aircraft, though it could also be 57-5782, see below.


(The thread title had me a little scared for a moment-thought she might have gone to the scrappers.) I'd love to help out on this bird, too! She was looking pretty poor when I saw her last March, not even a serial painted on anymore.


e: it was here, apparently: viewtopic.php?p=301064

[mrhenniger]

There is a basic history here...
Aerial Visuals - Airframe Dossier - Republic F-105B-15-RE Thunderchief - Republic, Farmindale, New York, USA, s/n 57-5792, c/n B029

If you guys find any additional info and would like to add it to the list there is an edit feature to submit new data and prompt corrections to the editor.

Mike

[gale_dono]

While the topic is raised, where is the primary dataplate located on an F-105, anyway? I am curious if there's evidence for the B##/D##/F## c/n system, as I don't think I've seen it outside secondary sources.

[Ken]

Happier days:

http://meridiahobby.gostorego.com/color ... -105b.html

Google revealed this image of 792 upon her arrival at AMARC around 1981.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jinxx1/ ... C.jpg.html

and a little later she's in the lineup:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/namcys11/7606556438/

The NJANG had quite a history with the F-105B and there are a number of photos online documenting the 108 TFW & 141 TFS. These pictures, plus other online resources should allow you to replicate the 141st Tiger patch and all the other markings. Let me know if I can assist. I grew up watching these exact F-105s fly at McGuire AFB and it would be neat to see her returned to her former glory.

BTW, Baugher & f16.net list these as the T-bird aircraft: "1964 : F-105B : 57-5782 - 57-5787 - 57-5790 - 57-5793 - 57-5797 - 57-5798 - 57-5801 - 57-5802 - 57-5814." Although all the former T-bird aircraft were sent to the NJANG, 792 doesn't seem to be among them.

Ken

[Rauhbatz]

Hi fellow Wixer's...very helpful info! I knew I could count on the WIX family for insights.

Somewhere between the desert and Zanesville we heard it found its way to South Carolina...no mention here of that...and I don't think it was in Florence at the old museum.

Looks like an SEA paint scheme would be OK for this bird..

Thanks to all!

[mike furline]

http://www.amarcexperience.com/AMARCDB. ... odel=F105B

57-5792 AAFK0028 Republic F-105B Thunderchief B29 07-JAN-81 141st Tactical Fighter Squadron/NJ ANG, McGuire Air Force Base, NJ. Disposition:Unknown / To Anderson County Airport, SC. For display.

[gale_dono]

Checking Google Earth shows she was present at KAND on 2/24/1994:

Unfortunately the next newest imagery isn't until 2005, which shows she's gone by then:


I'll write up a history with what's revealed so far from the sources and this thread. I do have to wonder why Anderson, SC in the first place...and then why Zanesville after that?

[Ken]

This quote comes from the Snyder, TX F-105 thread:

hey guys,

i have been restoring an ex 141st F-4D and F-84F. it's great to see that old be is getting some attention. we'd love to get a B back in new jersey as there are a few scattered around but the only one in state is at McGuire (and only some of us can get one base to see her). if you are putting her in 141st colors let me know, i have a number of close ups of tailflashes, squadron insignia, air-to-airs et al.

I don't know if the people of Zanesville would be offended by a NJANG scheme, but that would be most accurate, protect the airframe (paint vs NMF), and there are ample sources and color photos to support an accurate finish.

Counting rivets since 1968,
Ken

[Rauhbatz]

Hi Gale...that is a bit of mystery why it left SC...my only thought was that the USAF Museum repossessed it due to a lack of care...but that would be me only guessing and the airport seems like a fine facility: go figure I have flown over this airport everytime we took the SBD to Andrews AFB. Im going to call them today and see if anyone knows why the F-105 departed.

Hi Ken...keeping consistent with the Newark F-4 and the history of the a/c would have us put the NJ tail codes on. We may look if F-105s served in Ohio to consider OH tail codes...perhaps we could go the route as I have seen in Europe with two schemes on one aircraft...will keep on touch as we move forward...

No Brutus Buckeye as nose art though!

[Ken]

Sure, you gotta do what you gotta do and I'm sure it will turn out nice. Two schemes are interesting, but I believe that research will show such a limited use of the B-model and, although I'm less familiar with their AD service, IIRC, the NJANG was the sole operator of the type for many years.

Its just nice that someone cares enough to do something tangible to preserve a wayward airframe.

Ken

[Ken]

Any decisions on how you'll proceed yet?

Ken