Despite its 'F-for-fighter' designation, the F-105 was designed and purchased to give the USAF an aircraft capable of the delivery of nuclear weapons at very high speed, long range and below-the-radar altitudes. However, when the Vietnam War began it also emerged as USAF's best available tactical bomber for a 'limited conventional' war as well. Extensively targeted by MiG-17s and MiG-21s the F-105 pilots developed innovative tactics that allowed them to compete in air-to-air duels with their smaller, more manoeuvrable enemies. Illustrated throughout with extensive photographs detailing weapon loads, internal features and action shots of actual engagements, this volume examines the conduct of the Rolling Thunder strike missions and the tactics used for attack and defence by the attack, escort fighter and radar monitoring elements within strike formations.

development and early service /attacks from Korat and Takhli Royal Thai Air Bases with bombing moving closer to Hanoi /air-to-air armament is described /1967 /'Wild Weasel' F-105Fs and F-105Fs involved in Iron Hand missions /Appendices: - list of F-105 MiG kills - basic F-105 statistics and data -plates commentaries

Peter E. Davies has published 20 books and several magazine articles, concentrating on modern combat aircraft and the Vietnam War. He has written eight previous Osprey titles and co-authored two others, with two of the latter on the F-105. The author lives in Bristol, England.