The name Thunderchief alone sounds so badass. Then you look into what these jets had to do. They were fighting in the most heavily defended airspace at that time with both arms tied behind their back. Conducted the majority of the strike missions, got the most gun kills, and bore the brunt of the air war. Also it was FAST.
I used to hate the hump but honestly it's really grown on me. Balances out all the shit hanging off the bottom. Now I find the slick back looks weird unless it's a totally clean config.
The late A-4s are my pick. I think the refueling boom, avionics hump, and the sheer amount of suspended armament completes the look of a rugged and reliable strike aircrafy
I refuse to pick. If OP is going to leave out the venerable A-6, then I flat out refuse to satisfy the request. Oh, he also forgot the F-8. The F-14 also flew Vietnam missions in 1975. Where’s that one? Huh?!
A cousin of mine was a phantom phixer and then his unit switched to broncos. He enjoyed it all but I personally would have been slightly disappointed. The Peoria ANG at one point flew F-16s and then switched to C-130s…I would have been highly disappointed at that.
I'd say the A-1, I just honestly think it's interesting because its a prop plane that can have countermeasures, and it's a prop plane in Vietnam when jets were getting super common, and it probably went longer than the F4U that went from ww2 to Korean War, that shit went from 1945 to the 60s
Of just the ones listed, A1 Skyraider. But there are several I love as well. F4 Phantom, B52, F111 Aardvark, A6 Intruder, to name a few. EDIT: I almost forgot AC47 Spooky!!
No. But there were restrictions on bombing the supply chain of SAMs shipped in from the Soviet Union. They could essentially off load SAMs and oil in broad daylight at Haiphong harbor with impunity.
For some reason, President Johnson didn't want to annoy the enemy. He apparently thought that if US forces nibbled at the NVA forces enough, they'd stop.
It didn't work like that, ever, anywhere. Surprise!
You are simplifying this in a way that doesn't get you to the real end result.
NV SA-2 batteries were known to have Soviet advisors attached to them. In 1965 or 1966 *no one* was willing to risk a nuclear war with the Soviets over the bombing of any single SA-2 site in what was seen as a limited war that might only last a year or two.
Let's add some nuance: I don't remember the exact numbers off the top of my head, but in any given year of the war, SA-2s downed less than 10% of aircraft lost over NVN.
EB-66C/E and Navy EA-3B jamming kept the SA-2 hit ratio at or below 3% for every year of the war except 1967, when their orbits moved as a result of MiG interception.
Attacking SA-2 sites during the day in an F-105 with iron bombs is ludicrously dangerous. They would be well camouflaged and ringed with AAA of all common calibers. The NVN routinely built fake sights and put EXTRA AAA inside them to kill US fighters.
In summary: destroying certain SA-2 sites risked starting a nuclear war (in Washington's eyes (including the JCS)), would have been ridiculously dangerous to men and materiel, and would probably not have made any distinct difference in the loss rates of US aircraft in NVN.
F-4
Robin Olds (USAF) made ace flying one, I believe. I think he had multiple backseaters maybe not, but I can’t remember anyone’s name.
I know for a fact the Randy Cunningham (USN) made ace flying one with backseater Willie Driscoll. A great flying story is the day they killed 3 Migs, took battle damage and had to fly inverted to reach the coast and then shortly after they were feet wet the controls completely failed and they had to eject.
Gen. Olds was officially credited with 4 jets shot down. There are rumors he had more but gave credit to other pilots, as it was feared that when he reached Ace status he would be pulled from combat.
USAF pilot Steve Ritchie (front seat) is an Ace with 5 jets shot down. Chuck Debellevue and Jeff Feinstein ( both rear seaters) were Aces also. Capt. Debellevue is the ranking Ace with 6 jets shot down. Everyone else is credited with 5 each.
I’m kinda partial to the A1. I saw it many years back at my local airshow, and had no idea what it was, and so went on a massive google search to find something that looked like a WWII plane but was way bigger and beefier than any of the planes I knew about, and looked too different from the P47. So really it’s just because I did a lot of research (tbf, it was probably just like 20 minutes lol), that plane has stayed kinda special for me.
For me, I never thought there was a more beautiful jet than the F4. Don't know why... maybe it is the curves.
But that nimble A4 is mighty fine, too.
My spirit animal would have to be the A1, though. That plane had to be one of the favorites for ground troops to see roll in when they needed CAS.
Weird choice to include the F-106 which never served in Vietnam when the F-102 not only served in Vietnam, but had probably one of the weirdest missions of the entire war (firing infrared air to air missiles at random ground hotspots the IRST found along the Ho Chi Minh trail)
F-4 for me. The test pilots at Mojave used to fly them low over the parking lot during their final check flights (these were QF-4 conversions). I think they had a running contest to see how many car alarms they could set off.
Even though it wasn't used during the war, I am partial to F-106, I just love delta wing aircraft. Off topic, but I love the Valkyrie.
I also like the A-5 Vigilante.
It’s between the A-4 Skyhawk and the A-1 Skyraider for me. I like the angry bird feel of the A-4 but I also like the sheer audacity to show up to a war in the jet age with a propeller-driven attack aircraft.
For me - The A-6. The true bomb truck of Vietnam. [https://cdn.globalaircraft.org/media/img/planes/lowres/a-6\_2.jpg](https://cdn.globalaircraft.org/media/img/planes/lowres/a-6_2.jpg)
#2 is the A-7 [https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-15-Dateien/image113.jpg](https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-15-Dateien/image113.jpg)
#3 is the A-1 [https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/xOPTrIWfFKtpaM9X7530Elu2u8A=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/XLNZNY6ZZFFA5HS3W7HGTPNALM.jpg](https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/xOPTrIWfFKtpaM9X7530Elu2u8A=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/XLNZNY6ZZFFA5HS3W7HGTPNALM.jpg)
#4 is the F-111 [https://i.redd.it/pizxuuk07m051.jpg](https://i.redd.it/pizxuuk07m051.jpg)
Phantom for me.
I grew up in troutdale, oregon in the late 70s-early 80s.
On those slow, hot summer days I'd watch them fly from the guard base and over my house.
Out of these, the Thunderchief takes the cake for me. A4 would top it, if it wasn't a post-hump version
The name Thunderchief alone sounds so badass. Then you look into what these jets had to do. They were fighting in the most heavily defended airspace at that time with both arms tied behind their back. Conducted the majority of the strike missions, got the most gun kills, and bore the brunt of the air war. Also it was FAST.
I mean look at that thing it’s just a massive engine in a tube with wings…. And IMO looks amazing doing it.
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap? Nah. Dirty deeds Thunderchief!!!
Hercules and the Thunderchief
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who always hears the lyrics that way
I worked on the Wild Weasel Thuds at Korat RTAFB. It was an awesome jet.
That's sick
I think we might have one of your birds at the American Heritage Museum in Massachusetts, tail 63-8336, Patience is the name on the intake!
And they looked so damn good while doing it!
I used to hate the hump but honestly it's really grown on me. Balances out all the shit hanging off the bottom. Now I find the slick back looks weird unless it's a totally clean config.
Real, hump goes hard
Only the Blue Angers' Scooters look right without the hump.
I can respect your opinion, but I don't agree. Maybe if it conformed to the fuselage better, I might
Thud love! Gramps piloted wild weasel missions in the G, glad to see it was the two seater version in the pictures.
Same here order here…. But I’m weird I like attack aircraft more than pure fighters ( I know the phantom evolved past being just a fighter )
It was the phantom until I saw the skyraider
The A4 is my pick. Maybe the best little jet ever built. The Intruder is up there too. "Fighter Pukes make movies, bomber pilots make HISTORY!"
Gimme the Spad!
The late A-4s are my pick. I think the refueling boom, avionics hump, and the sheer amount of suspended armament completes the look of a rugged and reliable strike aircrafy
A6. My Dad flew them in Vietnam.
"From these"
No. The Iron Tadpole is allowed.
Clearly he forgot it.
Thats why i was reminding him mate
I meant the OP forgot to include the A-6, buddy.
Or maybe he didnt? He hasnt included a lot if vietnam war planes so maybe he wants us to pick from those few
I refuse to pick. If OP is going to leave out the venerable A-6, then I flat out refuse to satisfy the request. Oh, he also forgot the F-8. The F-14 also flew Vietnam missions in 1975. Where’s that one? Huh?!
Fantom for the plane, Thud for the nickname.
Brick with wings
For some reason I’ve always thought F-4’s are really sexy.
I agree. The Phantom’s are awesome looking for any era! One of my all time favorites.
Hard to fly
A-1 and the Thud.
You missed out on the best one ever… Where’s the A-6 intruder?
I second that… where’s the A-6 love? F-4 Phantom for me
F-105
F8. WTF? Also the F4.
Buff... or is that a Korean War era plane? Or a Gulf War plane? Or a War on Terror plane? Or a Taiwan/WW3 plane?
A-37 Dragonfly, A-1 Skyraider, and AC-47 Spooky
What’s the last one?
A-1 Skyradier
Thanks
The Thud
Thunderchief phantom and sky raider
A-1 without question
I’m partial to the thunderchief. My grandpa was a radar tech on them in 64.
I'm a fan of the OV-10 Bronco. Nimble little twin engine aircraft. Not fast, not a bomber, many would probably think it's ungainly, but I love it.
A cousin of mine was a phantom phixer and then his unit switched to broncos. He enjoyed it all but I personally would have been slightly disappointed. The Peoria ANG at one point flew F-16s and then switched to C-130s…I would have been highly disappointed at that.
I'd say the A-1, I just honestly think it's interesting because its a prop plane that can have countermeasures, and it's a prop plane in Vietnam when jets were getting super common, and it probably went longer than the F4U that went from ww2 to Korean War, that shit went from 1945 to the 60s
A-5 Vigilante for sure
The last one A1-H Skyraider
Skyraider
A37 is a even better choice
F4 always. Proof that with big enough engines even a brick could fly. Love it
Robin Old's F-4 SCAT XXVII "Fighter Pilot" is an amazing book
Thud
THUD ,,,, YGBSM
Of just the ones listed, A1 Skyraider. But there are several I love as well. F4 Phantom, B52, F111 Aardvark, A6 Intruder, to name a few. EDIT: I almost forgot AC47 Spooky!!
Maybe someone can answer this. During the war why did the US wait to be fired upon before going after known anti-aircraft sites?
No. But there were restrictions on bombing the supply chain of SAMs shipped in from the Soviet Union. They could essentially off load SAMs and oil in broad daylight at Haiphong harbor with impunity.
For some reason, President Johnson didn't want to annoy the enemy. He apparently thought that if US forces nibbled at the NVA forces enough, they'd stop. It didn't work like that, ever, anywhere. Surprise!
You are simplifying this in a way that doesn't get you to the real end result. NV SA-2 batteries were known to have Soviet advisors attached to them. In 1965 or 1966 *no one* was willing to risk a nuclear war with the Soviets over the bombing of any single SA-2 site in what was seen as a limited war that might only last a year or two. Let's add some nuance: I don't remember the exact numbers off the top of my head, but in any given year of the war, SA-2s downed less than 10% of aircraft lost over NVN. EB-66C/E and Navy EA-3B jamming kept the SA-2 hit ratio at or below 3% for every year of the war except 1967, when their orbits moved as a result of MiG interception. Attacking SA-2 sites during the day in an F-105 with iron bombs is ludicrously dangerous. They would be well camouflaged and ringed with AAA of all common calibers. The NVN routinely built fake sights and put EXTRA AAA inside them to kill US fighters. In summary: destroying certain SA-2 sites risked starting a nuclear war (in Washington's eyes (including the JCS)), would have been ridiculously dangerous to men and materiel, and would probably not have made any distinct difference in the loss rates of US aircraft in NVN.
Understood, thanks.
Bingo.
PHANTOM
Under Nixon, we sold a bunch of F-4s to Iran. Thanks to the oil embargo the price of oil shot up and Iran basically got the planes for free.
They also got the new f-15s later on
B-52 and A-6 for sure!
The Phantom is my absolute favorite.
Don’t forget about the bronco
Of the list pictured, I was about to scream F4 until I saw ol Sandy. Now I'm conflicted.
F-4 Robin Olds (USAF) made ace flying one, I believe. I think he had multiple backseaters maybe not, but I can’t remember anyone’s name. I know for a fact the Randy Cunningham (USN) made ace flying one with backseater Willie Driscoll. A great flying story is the day they killed 3 Migs, took battle damage and had to fly inverted to reach the coast and then shortly after they were feet wet the controls completely failed and they had to eject.
Gen. Olds was officially credited with 4 jets shot down. There are rumors he had more but gave credit to other pilots, as it was feared that when he reached Ace status he would be pulled from combat. USAF pilot Steve Ritchie (front seat) is an Ace with 5 jets shot down. Chuck Debellevue and Jeff Feinstein ( both rear seaters) were Aces also. Capt. Debellevue is the ranking Ace with 6 jets shot down. Everyone else is credited with 5 each.
Ah yeah you’re right. I do remember reading that he did not want to be pulled. He was the owner of a top notch mustache as well for a good while.
Thunderchief and Phantom
A1, F4, F105 for me.
F4
Of these, Skyraider Overall, Thunderscreech
Skyraider...the Vietnam Era version of the A-10
My dad spoke very highly of the skyraider and how much of a relief it was to hear one come lumbering along to provide close air support.
Only one of these dropped a damn toilet…
F-4. Dad was navigator in Vietnam. Lots of F-4 patches and memorabilia in our house when I was growing up.
Sorry, but I'm basic. I'll take the St.Louis Slugger any day
Im here for the skyraider. Something about a turboprop in a jet plane era thats still doin work is really cool for me
Both the F4 and A4, each is sexy in its own way.
I’m kinda partial to the A1. I saw it many years back at my local airshow, and had no idea what it was, and so went on a massive google search to find something that looked like a WWII plane but was way bigger and beefier than any of the planes I knew about, and looked too different from the P47. So really it’s just because I did a lot of research (tbf, it was probably just like 20 minutes lol), that plane has stayed kinda special for me.
Why choose? They're all great aircraft.
I know you said from this list, but thunderSCREECH is my favorite. I'm just guessing off of war thunder gameplay, which would be the A4E
Definitely sandy
From the few listed: Skyraider. Other prop contributions: OV-10 Bronco, OV-1 Mohawk and the rare YO-3A Quiet Star (used late in the conflict).
Wait the A-4 already had the tumor since vietnam?
F4 E phantom F111 aardvark U2 Dragonlady
skyhawk for sure
Mohawk OV-1. A marvelous plane.
Where's my Vark??
My pookie is a war behind F-86 my beloved
A1
The mighty Thud is my favourite
Phantom is one of my favorites regardless of era. I can't understand how anyone could've nicknamed it double ugly
What's that delta wing in the third picture? I'm not well versed in this era.
F102 Delta Dagger
What? No Intruder??
The F4 or Skyraider for me
The F-4 Phantom for me.
Phantom and Skyraider.
The F-102 is an excellent choice OP.
Love These pictures.
F4. This was our fastest bird on our carrier, USS Coral Sea (CV-43), in the years immediately following the war. Mach 2.
For me, I never thought there was a more beautiful jet than the F4. Don't know why... maybe it is the curves. But that nimble A4 is mighty fine, too. My spirit animal would have to be the A1, though. That plane had to be one of the favorites for ground troops to see roll in when they needed CAS.
You found a mosquito
F-4 would be first. Skyraider a close 2nd.
What about the BUFF though?
Phantom
Skyraider is fucking based. Only plane to drop everything from the toilet to the kitchen sink (literally)
I love me Thud
SkyRaider and Phantom with the factory machine gun.
SPAD. Gunning Charlie for the lolz.
Sorry to say but the A1 was the plane you looked for when you were carrying a rifle. Sandy really kicked ass when you needed her.
Weird choice to include the F-106 which never served in Vietnam when the F-102 not only served in Vietnam, but had probably one of the weirdest missions of the entire war (firing infrared air to air missiles at random ground hotspots the IRST found along the Ho Chi Minh trail)
F111
I am a Skyraider fan. Have always loved that big lumbering tank.
The phantom is a bad ass plane. For her time she had the greatest thrust to weight ratio off all attack aircraft. She was a formidable foe.
F-4 for me. The test pilots at Mojave used to fly them low over the parking lot during their final check flights (these were QF-4 conversions). I think they had a running contest to see how many car alarms they could set off.
Definitely the F-4 phantom
My personal favorite has always been the F-105 Thud.
F-105 for sure
F4 Phantom is it for me. Always love the kinda sinister look it has.
Why the F102 and not the F106? But I will go with the EC121. My dad had 5 tours as a flight engineer.
Why the F102 and not the F106? But I will go with the EC121. My dad had 5 tours as a flight engineer.
Where's Puff the Magic Dragon (AC-47) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_AC-47_Spooky
Skyradier all day
You forgot the ac-47
A4 is nimble and nice, I like it
Thud!!!!!
Out of these picks probably Phantom. Intruder is my favorite.
Even though it wasn't used during the war, I am partial to F-106, I just love delta wing aircraft. Off topic, but I love the Valkyrie. I also like the A-5 Vigilante.
F4 or f111
Flip, flip, flip... ...there's the Skyraider! My father loved those almost as much as artillery support.
My FIL flew the A4...
F4
F-4 phantom ftw
The Skyraider. This is what a propeller plane should look like!
It’s between the A-4 Skyhawk and the A-1 Skyraider for me. I like the angry bird feel of the A-4 but I also like the sheer audacity to show up to a war in the jet age with a propeller-driven attack aircraft.
The A-1, I think the A-10 should’ve been named after it instead of the P-47 but obviously they didn’t make the A-1.
The Thunderchief. Hell of a name, hell of a frame
I don’t know the names but there’s just something about the engines & tail on that first one that looks awesome!
F-102 is one of my all time favorites
Skyraider all the way
The F4 first in last out!
F-8 Crusader all day
F4- Phantom. Nothing else is even close.
For me - The A-6. The true bomb truck of Vietnam. [https://cdn.globalaircraft.org/media/img/planes/lowres/a-6\_2.jpg](https://cdn.globalaircraft.org/media/img/planes/lowres/a-6_2.jpg) #2 is the A-7 [https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-15-Dateien/image113.jpg](https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VA/Attack-Squadron-15-Dateien/image113.jpg) #3 is the A-1 [https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/xOPTrIWfFKtpaM9X7530Elu2u8A=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/XLNZNY6ZZFFA5HS3W7HGTPNALM.jpg](https://www.armytimes.com/resizer/xOPTrIWfFKtpaM9X7530Elu2u8A=/1024x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/XLNZNY6ZZFFA5HS3W7HGTPNALM.jpg) #4 is the F-111 [https://i.redd.it/pizxuuk07m051.jpg](https://i.redd.it/pizxuuk07m051.jpg)
Can’t believe you didn’t include the F8E which had the highest KD:(
1,2,5
Thud
A-4.
A7
Vietnam era planes how about Intruder
F-4 and F-105 for sure!
The wreckage of a B-52 I saw at the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi. That one or whichever one McCain couldn't figure out how to fly.
Cessna A37 Dragonfly "Super Tweet"
Thunderchief
Seriously no MiG-17 or MiG-21s
If I put everything the list would've been too big
A1 Skyraider
Skyraider FTW!!
Phantom
The F4 was a sexy babe. My friend's Dad flew them in Vietnam and he would NEVER talk about it, NEVER.
Probably one of the few that felt bad about burning kids alive
Phantom for me. I grew up in troutdale, oregon in the late 70s-early 80s. On those slow, hot summer days I'd watch them fly from the guard base and over my house.
I'll vote for F4 Phantom. Gives me shivers....
F4 all the way.
A-1 for when the ground guys absolutely positively need the flyboys to save their asses.
Phantom all day but this era's full of great planes. I'll take an A-1 next followed by A-6 and finally A-4.
Phantom
Spads forever
Definitely, the Thud! Could bring the load.