Image: Republic F-105D-30-RE (SN 62-4234) in flight with full bomb load 060901-F-1234S-013

Description: Republic F-105D-30-RE Thunderchief (SN 62-4234) in flight with a full bomb load of M117 750 lb bombs. Normally drop tanks were carried on the inboard wing pylons. This aircraft was shot down on 24 December 1968 over Laos while being assigned to the Wing Headquarters, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli RTAFB. Major Charles R. "Dick" Brownlee was the pilot of the lead aircraft (s/n 62-4234, call sign "Panda 01") in a flight of four. The flight was conducting an afternoon strike mission against Route 911, between the Ban Karai Pass and the city of Ban Phaphilang, Khammouane Province, Laos. At 15:47h the aircraft attacked a truck moving along Route 911. 62-4234 was hit by anti-aircraft fire and caught fire. Major Brownlee's aircraft exploded at roughly the same time he ejected from his aircraft. The next day a rescue attempt of heavily injured or dead Brownlee failed, but a member of the rescue team, CMS Charles D. King, was captured, too. Both men are listed as missing in action. The location was on the northern edge of a large valley and just east of Route 911, approximately 16 km southwest of Ban Thapachon (location 170600N 1055600E).
Title: Republic F-105D-30-RE (SN 62-4234) in flight with full bomb load 060901-F-1234S-013
Credit: U.S. Air Force Museum website [1]
Author: USAF
Permission: Original work of the US Federal Government - public domain
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No