Walk Around- Hickory Aviation Museum’s F-105 Thunderchief

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. The Hickory Aviation Museum's 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.