REPUBLIC AVIATION CORPORATION - The Finest US Air Force Fighters from Farmingdale, Long Island

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REPUBLIC F-15 PROPOSAL - • REPUBLIC F-15 PROPOSAL...
REPUBLIC XR-12 RAINBOW - • REPUBLIC XR-12 RAINBOW...
REPUBLIC F-105 THUNDERCHIEF - • REPUBLIC F-105 THUNDER...
FAIRCHILD-REPUBLIC SAFETY CAR - • FAIRCHILD REPUBLIC'S E...
EXPERIMENTAL FIGHTERS (XF-84H) - • X-FIGHTERS - Experimen...
F-105 MODELS OF THE 1950S - • FIRST MODELS OF THE F-...

[@purplealice]

My dad worked there when I was a kid. He also worked for Fairchild Engine Division, and then went to Grumman. All the other airplane factories went out of business except Grumman - and he worked there too, and so did I - during the era when they were building the Lunar Modules. We helped build the Eagle, and I also remember during the Apollo 13 event all the engineers were in the building where all the deisgn stuff happened. They were trying to reconfigure the LM/CM to help the crew get home, and they were radioing instructions to the astronauts - making an adaptor for the cabin air out of a Kleenex box and duct tape. But they landed, and the only problem was that the commander had denied himself drinking water, and he got a kidney infection, which was cured when he got medical attention. My dad worked in the wire harness room. I had a summer job while I was in college, because I'd been in the Grumman scholarship competition. It was a simple clerical job, helping file blueprints. But I touched the Eagle at least a few times while I was there, so a bit of my DNA made it into space.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wonderful comment, thanks!

[@thomascampbell4730]

How odd. My dad had virtually the same career path. He was a final inspection crew chief at Republic, worked at Fairchild for a year or two and took a job at Grumman where he worked on the Lunar Excursion Module. He worked on the Tomcat when the last of the LEM's were completed and then finally retired. During the war he was a flight mechanic on B-17's and then B-29's. I worked for Grumman for a short while but to avoid the draft I joined the US Marine Corps so I suppose that makes a draft dodger...LOL

[@jhmcglynn]

I was a rising junior at New York Institute of Technology in the summer of 1967 when I got a summer internship at Grumman Aircraft. My first assignment was to write a FORTRAN radar data reduction program for the E2 Hawkeye aircraft. I didn’t have enough cash for tuition at the end of summer and talked myself into a full time job and spent the the next four years in night school at NYIT. Grumman’s tuition reimbursement program funded much of my BS degree. I wrote a FORTRAN battery simulator for the LEM to support the engineers testing for various failure scenarios. I left Grumman in 1970 to work for MERRILL LYNCH but Grumman was always the high point of my career. I earned my private pilots license in 1990 and now have about 2500 hours logged.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

@@jhmcglynn Wonderful comment and great career. Thanks for watching!

[@rentAscout]

Does anyone else notice Mike's pause starting each video? It's like a trademark of this channel.

[@redrider1079]

My dad worked at Republic Aviation for 15 years and was laid off when they were bought out by Fairchild. I remember going to the '58 open house with my younger brother and watching the Thunderbirds perform. We moved to California were my dad worked at Lockheed Corp. I have fond memories of going to the plant as a kid. Thank you for this episode on Republic, my dad would have loved it.

[@maxsmodels]

Another wonderful video Mike. The photo of the F-105 with all of the ordnance laid out reminds me of these picture books we had in the school library when I was a kid in the late 60s. They had all of the military jets with their potential payloads laid out. I loved that book but cannot one not to save my life.

[@s.marcus3669]

Those same books were the ones that I sat and stared at for hours; they were the C.B. Colby series of books and you can still find them on all the usual outlets on the Web. I remember as a kid, staring at the photos of the tanks, wondering why they all looked so similar and looking at the photos of the various small arms, wondering what they were like to hold, shoot, carry....

[@jamesharrison6201]

Almost hard to imagine, more than B-17s and 24s

[@EstorilEm]

Omg I’d walk around in middle school with a Janes book and show my friends the photos of the ordinance layout PR shots, we all thought it was the most badass thing ever. 🤣

[@mikelaponte2832]

My dad worked for Republic in the early 60s. He had designed one of the cooling fans for the electronics of the F-105. I did not know this until about 12 years ago when we saw the F-105 at the National Air and Space Museum at Dulles.

[@GustavoMonasterio]

Number two on the gate ready and willing! Greetings from Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@danf321]

Those classics planes, like the F-84, are like classic 50’s cars…oddly still classic in style.

[@ernieviskupic4688]

Hello Mike! I’ve been a fan of your channel since its inception. I just want to relate to you the similarities of our backgrounds. Born in West Islip, raised in Deer Park; my father worked at Republic Aviation as a machinist from the early ‘60s until the late ‘70s. I’m sure I fell in love with aircraft as a young kid when Pops would bring me out to watch F-105s come and go from the field. When I was in high school, I’d have to give him a ride to work in the morning if I needed the car. I received a scholarship to Pratt Institute to study photography. I worked in that field for decades. But I still loved airplanes. I moved to Southern California in ’83. At one point, my wife and I moved to Chino Hills, quite close to Chino Airport and the Planes of Fame Air Museum. I started volunteering out there around ‘86. But I really wanted to fly in the aircraft I was helping maintain. Long story (sorry about that) short, I ended up wrangling my way onto the crews of 2 different B-25s. I enjoyed many hours of flight time going to airshows all around the country. Never a pilot, I was satisfied photographing other aircraft in flight from the open hatch in the rear of the plane. As is true of everything, nothing lasts forever and I no longer have that opportunity. Those were some of the most enjoyable times of my life. So now I keep myself occupied in my retirement building model planes. Thanks for this episode! Keep up the wonderful work. Take care.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wow, small world indeed, and great you were able to fly in the B-25s. Thanks for your comment!

[@chuckpf7018]

Love how you weave together such a wide range of facts into such an enjoyable historical story. 1972 got my pilot's license flying from that field while attending SUNY Farmingdale. Ended up in Grumman but lots of respect for Republic and their products. Thanks for another great memory refresher.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@jetsons101]

I don't know why but this episode took me back to grade school in El Segundo and doing duck-and -cover when the air raid sirens would go off all over the LA area, the good old days. Thanks for your time and hard work.

[@CradleofAviation]

THANKS for the shout-out of our Museum and amazing Curator, Josh Stoff! Come here next, Mike Machat

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Have visited many times, and to me, the Cradle is the gold standard of aviation museums! Incidentally, there were only two scale models ever made of Fairchild Republic's Experimental Safety Vehicle - you have one, and I have the other. Best to Josh and the entire Staff!

[@NCPD25]

Great presentation! I grew up in Farmingdale and my Father was a private pilot. He and I would go to Republic to walk around. He would show me all the planes (Csessna's, Piper's etc...) and explain different yhings about yhem to me and anytime there was an event (Thunderbirds landing at Republic etc...) he would take me. Your video brought back many memories. Of course, my Father took me ice skating at Racquet & Rink 2-3 times a month to ice skate as well. Thank you!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wonderful memories. Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@michaelkoukos5396]

Growing up in nearby Massapequa Park in the early 60s I remember hearing an occasional sonic boom! Must have been one of those F105 test pilots!

[@carlmclelland7624]

Really enjoyed this chronology of Republic. One of my best friends, now flying on the other side of life, Colonel Boyd VanHorn, USAF retired, flew almost 250 missions over the North in Wild Weasels. He told some hair-raising stories about those missions, but the "Thud" always brought him home after the mission.

[@gustavoheberle6265]

Thank you Mr. Machat ! This is really a great way to celebrate Aviation ! Greetings from Brazil .

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks Gustavo!

[@teenagerinsac]

Currently at Hobby Lobby stores they are stocking the 48 scale F-84F Thunderstreak kit as Thunderbirds scheme, boxed in Monogram/Revell in gray plastic- Made in Poland.

[@teenagerinsac]

Bought 2 at 40 off retail price- HL HL has sale at least once a month.

[@chuxtuff]

When I got to my bomb and missile loaders tech school at Lowry AFB in Denver (now closed) in September of 1972 they had an F-105 on static display they used to teach my predecessors how to load ordinance on and off to Vietnam they'd go. While there I don't think I touched that F-105 as we were trained on F4E Phantom's (the ones with the nose gun) for duty in Germany. Which is where I heard one of the instructors mention a quip about the F-105 he was fond of repeating and I never forgot it either. It went: The F-105 Thunderchief - The USAF's first triple threat aircraft that could bomb you, strafe you and when it came time to fix it all because it liked to break, it could fall on you too!!

[@davidb6576]

Thanks for this episode, it brought back some memories. My dad did an internship at Grumman during the late 50's (while he was an Aeronautical Engineering student at RPI), and his parents had a home in Flushing. There's some real memories that come back for me, even though many of them come from stories told later (I was but a baby at the time).

[@Robutube1]

Thanks as always Mike for an entertaining, thoroughly researched video. Your passion for your subject shines out of every frame!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@plantfeeder6677]

Thanks again Mike. You are the only reason I still visit KZbin.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@findo12]

Another fascinating insight into aspects of aviation history that I knew very little about. Thank you for tying up all those loose ends. Cheers, Mike.

[@tracylemme1375]

I used to watch F-105s for hours dropping bombs and strafing alternately in in Vietnam.

[@johnplaninac9980]

Another great video, and the photos and the artwork is amazing. Great work.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thanks John!

[@tim250]

Great episode Mike! As a Grumman brat who married a Republic brat it was nice to reminisce. Would love to see more episodes on other LI manufacturers, Brewster, Grumman, Columbia, Gyrodyne, and others like Dade Brothers (built CG-4s in WWII), American Airplane (Pilgrim), and Ames Industrial (AD-1, 1979)

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thanks Tim. I had the honor of meeting George Dade at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in 1986, and yes, many great aviation companies on Long Island back in the day!

[@claycountybrian5645]

Greetings from Missouri ! @12:46 "Classified" under cover , at center right Easter Egg Gotta keep 'em guessin' Thud I like the ejection system on the XF-103, too ! @21:31 They're all grinnin' like 6 year olds :D as would be I Thanks again, Mr. Machat !! 92 thumbs up PEACE

[@dhgmllcshea5038]

Dad worked there, great video, thanks!

[@thecooky7744]

I think the 105 is one of the coolest looking aircraft

[@pat8988]

Great video! I noticed at 19:00 that the speedometer red zone started at 50 mph! Different days…

[@motorTranz]

Excellent and fascinating story! Thanks Mike!

[@davidduganne5939]

Great presentation Mike! That's a nice image of the "Thunder Screech"; I remember seeing it at the Bakersfield airport (Meadows Field) where it was a "gate guardian.". I used to stop there overnight (could park the plane right in front of the motel), then fly over the hills to Inyokern/China Lake on Monday morning.

[@barrybecker3706]

Fantastic video!!

[@EstorilEm]

This is BY FAR my favorite video of yours yet… that shot of Alexander Seversky in the X-15 reminds me of the time some folks in the USAF pulled a few strings and let Jack Northrop see the B-2; essentially realizing m his sole mission in life. The P-47s are some of the most fascinating engineering platforms I’ve ever researched. Seversky’s wing was truly exceptional, and years later during WWII NACAs top airfoil designs were either similar or worse than his. He really doesn’t get the credit he deserves. On a side note, we flew our TBM avenger into Hagerstown for an Airshow a couple years ago and the USAF sent one of their A-10s over - did a 90deg break at a couple hundred feet and parked next to the TBM (both basically pioneering close air support, different generations.) We were across the runway from the old Fairchild plant… still there, looking mostly abandoned. Knowing that A-10 rolled out of there decades ago was just surreal, pilot was great and let our crew sit in the cockpit. 😳 I wish I was around a bit earlier to see more P-47s; we’ve been to countless airshows and I don’t think I’ve seen a single one. Hell, we even hosted the fighter base for the Arsenal of Democracy flyover and with aircraft from all over the country, there wasn’t a single P-47. 😑 Thanks again for your great content - also, the T-46 is something I knew nothing about, and I’m sure I am not alone when I say it would make for a fascinating video!

[@andrewkeeney701]

Another great and entertaining video. Thank you so much for all of them. Best, Andy K

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@lua504]

My Dad worked for Republic back in the late 50’s early 60’s. They sent him down to Eglin AFB (where all my brothers and I were born) and even out to Japan. He worked a lot on the F-105. I have a video on my channel of an air show at Eglin. You can even see my Dad working on the plane.

[@robertmonaghan5420]

Grew up in Farmingdale. Played Hockey in one of Republics Hangers. Great Video...

[@paoloviti6156]

A very nice and interesting story of the Republic Fairchild at Farmindale mainly known for producing the P-47, many wonderful airplanes, the F-105 and of course the A-10 really all airplanes I like very much. I find it very sad that this company together with other companies like Grumman doesn't exist anymore but they together have created history in American aviation! Thanks for sharing this video 👍👍👍

[@ScottSmith-me4nt]

Some good stories, I was lucky enough to see a 105 near the end of its service. Early in my career an airshow at McChord, in 83, a morning arrival of an ANG bird. Hooked me form first sight!

[@BudFunOne]

Great piece! Thank you for producing this.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@lrq7927]

Lot's of great content! Thank You.

[@chesterbaumgart7381]

Thank you, from a 64yo Long Islander. Many memories.

[@neilwilliams5173]

Wonderful story of a great company.My family has a bit of history with them,my aunt worked on the 47,s during the war years she applied stencils and a few other jobs at the time.My dad was the “radio man” in the big room below the tower for around 10 years during the early 60.s.Some times he would let us listen in on the head phones,but we were never allowed to talk on the mike! He used to take my older brother and myself down to see the 105,s take off.I still remember fondly those days as we would drive down pine lawn rd.and look to see if we saw the heat from the engines above the blast deflectors that were behind the chain link fence.My younger brother worked on the A10,s as well he would work on the titanium tubs until they stopped production.Thanks again all great stuff.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wonderful comment and what great memories. Many thanks!

[@stephenlee3390]

Thanks grew up in Massapequa Park, Love history of L.I.My dad lived in Bellmore and he told me the story that he waved to Lindbergh as he flew over his house that morning.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Awesome!

[@robertdragoff6909]

I forgot how many different airplanes Republic made. From the first jets to the Warthog. The Seabee and they even dabbled in the automotive industry too. A great video about an amazing company

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@williamcramer7623]

Very informative and entertaining. Thanks.

[@PacificAirwave144]

I remember as a kid just loving the lines of the T-46. It could have been a great trainer and money-maker for Republic-Fairchild.

[@chrisnelson2796]

What a great piece of history! Loved the video and your presentation..

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@SCSuperheavy114]

Thanks for this Mike…having grown up near Republic airport and the company , they hold a lot of great memories for me. Learned to fly there (Republic airport) just as the company was in its last days across the field. I think Fairchild /Republic was the name at that time. Long Island has a tremendous history with American aviation! Well done!

[@jayg1438]

I love manufacturer/ history/ tech development of aircraft and tanks. This was a nice overview of Seversky to Republic. Thanks!

[@craiglordable]

Really great education, thanks Mike.

[@alexandrec9372]

Great vídeo, as always! Thank you for upload

[@noyfub]

Great VLOG. Thanks.

[@fabiandannunzio1206]

Amazing history. Well done nob, congrats

[@rodgerhecht3623]

Great vid Mike. When i first got to Edwards in 1988 they had a F-105 outside our old hanger at south base,i was always amazed at how big it was. Also on the south base ramp was one of the T-46 flight test birds,awiting it placement into the museum hopefully. It was still thete when i retired 31 years later.

[@laurencethornblade8357]

Great video Mike, thanks!

[@KD2HJP]

I grew up in the town of Babylon and now the Republic Airport was within BMX bicycle range. The then abandoned hangers of Fairchild and Republic were amazing for 80's urbex The summer flea market was the place for anything and everything

[@bobrobert319]

Great video. Thank you.

[@jjmcrosbie]

Really nice video. Thank you.

[@chris_hisss]

This was great Mike! Thanks! I love all the photographer and art related info. As a photographer and my first love was aircraft, through modeling, those little details are really nice. I also had some family that worked at the Evansville plant some time ago, so The p-47 has always been a bit special. Though i didn't really like the P-47 as a child, it has really grown on me in later years. I am still about half and half on my verdict for the F105, though it is growing on me too. The planes just look so big. Odd considering how the planes were developed from much smaller versions. lol Not sure if I heard you talk about Seversky, and I know you didn't get much into it here, but what they did to him was so wrong, that it seems unbelievable. The man was a flat out genius and him voted out by the company he assembled while on a sales trip is insane! Then the P-47 goes on to essentially win us the air war fighting for all allies, a true multi role fighter, and the doctorine in which he influenced the money that got behind those efforts. Probably preaching to the choir here but maybe I have it all wrong. Thanks for the great video!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thanks Chris, and agreed on the sizes of the P-47 and '105. Saw both at Farmingdale, and they were formidable airplanes!

[@reynaldoblanco2588]

Thank you! Great stuff

[@higgydufrane]

Thank you very much, I love this type of video.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@drawn2myattention641]

I love images of the prototype aircraft: they seem closest to the designer's creative vision, unencumbered by later compromises. There is such a thing as aesthetic pleasure, and I'm prepared to meditate upon the exquisite lines of the XP-72 or XR-12 in silent reverence whenever circumstances permit.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed!

[@ContemplativeCat]

Great vid thank you for your work.

[@chuck9987]

Great video. Really love the historical footage of the sites and their surrounding areas. Wow, Long Island was really empty back in those early days .

[@timmotel5804]

Very good. In 1972 there was an F-105 on display in front of our barracks (one of The "New" barracks buildings) at Lackland AFB.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

I remember seing that same jet when I was at Lackland!

[@motorTranz]

I remember F-105's stationed at the now defunct Oxnard AFB.

[@hangie65]

Excellent tour through the history of an iconic aerospace company. Many thanks for posting, Mike, I truly enjoyed.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Nice video. Thanks.

[@atatexan]

Really good, Mike.

[@callenclarke371]

First rate content! Well done.

[@MM-hu3ys]

Thanks!

[@wst8340]

I saw that very picture of the F 105 with all the ammo when I was a kid. I thought it carried All of it at once. Ah to be a kid again. Thanks Mike.🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@gnataviate]

I was at the Thud out with the 388th and helped the 419th with their conversion. Playing with 105s was one of the highlights of my AF career. Also spent 20 years on the A-10A/C

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thanks for the comment and your service!

[@gnataviate]

And thank you for the kind words. Was an amazing journey.

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

Republic Aviation has been one of my favourite aircraft manufacturer. Their combat aircraft have achieved legendary status through the efforts of those men from the old Russian Empire with their American engineers designers and workers.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed!

[@Doones51]

Great documentary, sharp images, and a lot of knowledge of aviation. Thanks for not using music, it usually makes it harder for me to understand what they are saying. Great stuff, thanks.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@mohammedcohen]

...if you were into aircraft (jets & spacecraft) the days of the 1950s & 60s was a great time to be a young boy...

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed!

[@hubertmantz1516]

Very interesting video 👍🏽

[@JensenKangalee]

You've gained a new subscriber.. your video was very detailed and entertaining, loved the history. Thank you for sharing!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks, and great to have you aboard!

[@paulbervid1610]

Great video

[@jimiscnc3750]

dad worked for republic 1959 to 1967. his nickname was "mr. clean". i wish iu knew more about his work there. he was maybe in the machine shop or maintenance departments? -jim becktel

[@juliusdream2683]

There my favorite fighter bombers are republic and I’m from Long Island near the Grumman factory well it’s huge .

[@jamesvaccaro6280]

Wow! What a great presentation Mike, all the way back to Seversky! Still remember Kartvelli shuffling down the aisles in Engineering back in the early 70's. It was like a dream watching the first 2 A-10 prototypes being built on the floor of that building. Great memories.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Fabulous that you were there to see that!

[@sergioleone3583]

It's always a good day when Mike Machat releases a Celebrating Aviation video! This one was informative and enjoyable as always. Some very cool images of the P-47 variants among other things.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@cruzcontrol1504]

Number one at the gate !!!

[@martinpennock9430]

What an amazing video. Always a pleasure to watch! Great history of a great company. Love the channel and the videos! No one can present aviation history like you Mr. Machat. I always learn a great deal from each post. As always God bless you and yours and thanks again for all you do! Take care always! 🇺🇸👍😊

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks Martin!

[@martinpennock9430]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 You are most welcome!

[@brentjames9388]

I guess the Thunder Screech made one hell of a noise ,

[@jamesharrison6201]

This airplane was the craft at McConnell AFB in Wichita. Grew up watching them and the B-52s in and out of Boeing

[@glennweaver3014]

Another wonderful and informative video Mike. Having grown up in nearby Levittown, I'm familiar with all the airfields shown in the opening sequence. Republic F- 84s and F-105s were often seen streaking across the sky, likely on their maiden flights. Very near and dear to my heart. You never fail to deliver the best aviation content out there.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment as always, thanks Glenn!

[@norherman]

Always a very nice trip thru history. Great info!

[@petermerz2704]

Great video Mike! Love the historical videos. Thanks for sharing, happy day and model on! 😎

[@dougsguitarlounge7927]

That was a great episode, I didn't know the Thunderbirds used the F-105, that would have been really cool to see them fly them. They were flying the F-4 the first time I saw them. How long did they fly the F-105s ?

[@tempestfury8324]

I had no idea the Thunderbirds flew the "Thud"! Per Wiki, they flew six airshows with the F-105B in 1964 and cancelled that due to "safety concerns".

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

The F-105 was never well-suited for the Thunderbirds shows, and flew for only six months in 1964. One F-105 was lost in an accident, and the team reverted back to North American F-100s until the F-4 Phantom II was introduced in the late 1960s. Thanks for watching!

[@dougsguitarlounge7927]

@Galileo7of9 I never received any messages from you nor did I send a reply. You must have the wrong person.

[@dougsguitarlounge7927]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 I do remember them flying the F-100s in the early 60s. I was very young. My dad took me to see the Blue Angels when they were flying the Grumman Tigers in Detroit. I think it was around 1965 or 66. Thanks for the info!

[@johnosbourn4312]

Six Shows only.

[@bagoistvan3182]

Greetings - I was until now convinced that everything which could be told about the Republic Aviation - Alexander Kartvelli and the F - 105 I already saw and stumbled upon on KZbin already ...Your recent video is coming as the most recent and welcomed addition to that database. As a lifetime enthusiast and forever faithful to the F - 105 design I want to express my thanks for your dedication on preserving alive the memory of this Great Airplane and People who made it happen,designed it, build it, maintained it ,flown in it and fight with it.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@rdleahey]

I watched this video to see the great Republic planes, but I really appreciate the digression into automobile safety improvements! It was great! I was stationed at Korat Royal Thai AFB in 1969 during the war. I remember the F-105s taking off, landing, and doing their victory rolls when the pilots completed their 100th mission (I think) and got to go home. The 105s were given the nick-name “led sled”. Supposedly, if the engines quit, this aircraft’s gliding ability was similar to a sled made out of lead.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@dwmzmm]

Very interesting and informative video presentation! Back in mid to late 1960's before my dad retired from the USAF (Chief Master Sargent) he was stationed at Eglin AFB, FL and we lived a few miles from there in Niceville, FL. It just so happened that military aircraft preparing to land at Eglin would fly low right over our neighborhood. Among the many types of aircraft we observed included the F-105 Thuds. Their engine made a rather unusual sound before it passed overhead. And seeing the Thuds up close on the flight line and Open House I was surprised how big the F-105 was, even though it was just a single engine fighter/bomber.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@raynus1160]

Very cool essay Mike - thanks for posting!

[@anaetachandler8699]

As always a most excellent video very interesting and informative. You are a fantastic creator and presenter of the history of this company and the impact they had in the aviation and automotive community. The automotive aspect I had heard about but that was it. It was most interesting and informative to learn about the impact of aviation on cars and safety. Something having survived a few accidents are grateful for. Once again thank you and enjoy your channel immensely. May you have a wonderful 2022

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the wonderful comment, thanks!

[@manuelcavero9978]

Hi Mike! I really enjoyed this video; it was great. I am always ready for you to release a new one. Kindest regards from Mexico City.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks Manuel!

[@darrenpaches3731]

The 2 seat A-10, YA-10B, was also a financial set back for Republic.

[@brentjames9388]

Great episode,

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@bertg.6056]

As an adjunct to your excellent Republic Aviation presentation, I recommend an incredibly interesting and technology oriented history of the F-105 entitled "Thunderchief". It was authored by Dennis R. Jenkins and a fellow named Mike Machat.

[@Guhonter]

I agree, I've read that book more than once, he is a great author and really kindled my love for the "Thud" :)

[@rickhenson660]

Still enjoying your videos Mike! I also still love how the early jets had such a futuristic look. Keep up the great work! This is history.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!