*"the One Man Air Force."* absolutely. Best Combat Aircraft ever made and deployed into the *ULTIMATE* in Air Combat bar none...until now in Ukraine versus Russia anyways.
While I initially watched this because of my interest in the 105, I was captivated by the interview and couldn’t stop watching. Thanks to all the men and women who served and are still serving. Immense gratitude to those who gave everything they had to fight for our country. USAF 1971-1975
USAF 1968-1974, 5 years, 4 month, and 3 days. My memory of the “Thud” was a night as our B-52D ( I was the Nav) was going toward Thailand as fast as our pilot could make our beast go. We could hear a 105 communicating with Command. They asked him where he was, and he said, “I don’t know, but I am on the deck, headed south as fast as I can with a MiG on my tail”. A little bit later, we hear him say he was over the water. The interview was something I thought about every day I flew over Viet Nam. What if I end up on the ground? What will I do? Now, 77 years old, I don’t know if I could have made it. Thank God, I didn’t have to find out.
It was an absolute honor listening to this interview and the sacrifices he made for this country. It only takes an interview like this to ignite inspiration in someone who will hopefully make the necessary changes this country needs. Thank you Wayne for all you have sacrificed. Not many men could endure what you have encountered in life and maintain such an admirable attitude. You inspire me!
Remarkable how he minimized focus on his hardships and stood firm on his strength and faith. A true hero and example of courage and humanity. God bless.
My father's GA ANG unit the 116th at Dobbins AFB flew the F-105G Wild Weasel for several years. Always loved watching them take off with full afterburner going. I got to fly the 105 simulator because of my father. Great aircraft and good memories of time with my father.
Thank you Colonel Waddell. Your story is inspirational and historical. It’s also interesting to me to hear it from a F-105 Pilot. The 105 has been maligned in nearly everything I have read about it. Your simple answer to the question about why so many were lost (targets in the north), explains a lot. I remember the first F-105 I ever saw. It was at the SAC Air Force Museum in Omaha NE. I couldn’t stop staring at it. It was massive. It has the shape of a “boat tail” rifle bullet, and to me one of the most beautiful planes I had ever seen. I had been privileged enough to meet and speak, at length, to Brig Gen Robin Olds just after his last tour in SE Asia where he was the Wing Commander at Ubon Thailand; and just after his appointment as Commandant of Cadets at the US Air Force Academy. I was also witness to a tree top altitude pass he made over the JY Ranch in Jackson Wyoming, where I subsequently met him. From that time. I thought the F-4 Phantom was the epitome of fighter aircraft, until I saw thee 105. What a monstrous beauty.
Johnson, McNamara, Westmoreland… they all should have been sent to prison for what the did to America with their conduct of the war in Vietnam. In this instance, they never achieved air superiority. Even worse, that wasn’t even their goal. The number of F-105’s that were shot down over North Vietnam was criminal.
ditto1958 Secretary of State Dean Rusk sent information by Switzerland diplomatic cable to North Vietnam Communist diplomats the targets, time, direction, number of planes and ordinates, this was done by the U.S Government to prevent civilians casualties inside the North Vietnamese Communist Government armed the civilians men, women and children with rifles and machines to shot at those pilots, if these pilots flight those planes and helicopters bomb, rocket and shoot those armed civilians, they called baby killers, yet the only killer is the Ho Chi Minh communist Government being warned by Washington DC of the bombing target inside of moving them and President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Secretary of States Dean Rusk are the real traitors and criminals here betraying those pilots.
I agree. The whole thing should ever have escalated as it did. They wanted to get their war in Vietnam after Kennedy, under good advice from Ike, decided he wasn't going to be bogged down in a ground war in SE Asia.
Westmoreland was an Academy graduate, he was hired to to a certain job, and he did it. McNamara had no business being where he was, and if I lived in Texas I'd go piss on LBJ's grave. I'm assuming that's where he is.
It was an honor to listen to this hero's story , first for my appreciation of the Republic F-105 , as I had worked on them while I was stationed in Takhli , Thailand in 1969-70 . But understanding what our "THUD" pilots endured gave me a new perspective on the conflict in Southeast Asia . My heart felt thanks to everyone that served in the conflict .
THANK YOU WAYNE, YOU HAVE SAVED US here on the ground, we looked up and see you hit enemy positions. I remember air men talk about how fast it was and how it took miles to turn it around and go back to base.
An incredible story!! I was over in SEA from June 1966 to August of 1967 flying C-130's out of CCKAB, Taiwan. I watched many a launch from Korat, Tac Li, Ubon and Udorn as we sat on the ramp offloading cargo. I take my hat off to you for what you guys did and had to do knowing now what you were up against. I was on the C-130 ABCCC call sign Hillsboro during Operation Bolo on Jan 2, 1967 when Col. Olds led the very successful raid where I believe 7 Migs were shot down. Your story brings back many memories. I had clicked onto the article wanting to know more about the development of the F-105 and was captivated by your story.
yeah, glad someone pointed that out, it's sad so many good men were lost due to half wit lying politicians. I still admire the courage of these men, like Wayne here, who bravely fought for their country.
After hearing this story, I want to see that Red Georgian clay too, as his story makes you realise the warmth of the people round there, what an Airman. Inspirational stuff..........The Aircaft was amazing too
BRAVO TO THIS INTERVIEW !! I WAS IN THE USAF AT THE SAME TIME HE WAS 1965 T0 1969. I WAS AT SOME OF THE SAME BASES. I AM ALSO FROM ATLANTA GA, AND WENT TO GA TECH.
Like others have commented on here I started watching because of the 105. But this interview what this amazing individual a true hero it brings tears to my eyes when I think what these people accomplished and how our nation at the time humiliated itself In the way that they were treated when they came home. The one thing that I remember is my dad saying to us kids that if we ever treated any soldier the way that our nation was treating them spitting on them calling them baby killers that he would have nothing to do with us for the rest of our lives. We took that to heart and not one of us kids has ever had anything but the highest respect for those that answer the call to serve our nation. I thank God every single day that there are those willing protect all of us no matter the cost. I am now 64 years old and the one thing that I realized now more than anything is our liberty is worth any price we have to pay there is no price that is too high to pay for our liberty. Those in the military are paying that price every single day and we should all be on our knees thanking God that there are those willing to do this.
It's better, imo, than most professional storytellers, just a normal guy, it's not been over polished or rehearsed, just genuine experiences from an interesting time. Privilege indeed.
F-105 early career was plagued with maintenance issues and in-flight failures. The F-105 nickname "Thud" was believed to have stood for the sound of an F-105 crashing into the ground. In fact, The entire F-105 fleet was grounded in December 1961 and then again in June 1962 because of in flight failures. In Vietnam about 1/2 of the fleet of 800 aircraft were shot down.
All cutting edge machines have early teething problems. The F-105 was an awesome aircraft, loved by it's pilots, doing a job in vietnam TOTALLY opposite of it's intended design. One of the fastest low level aircraft ever....Thuds put more bombs on targets than anything else during that conflict. Show some respect!!!
F-105 losses were mostly combat related, based on unfavorable tactics and combat conditions. They also flew many of the most dangerous missions. Numbers that I've seen are about 320 combat related losses for single and dual seat Thuds, including Wild Weasel aircraft tasked to fight directly against the men who themselves were assigned to kill them. Those losses don't seem so bad in comparison to the F-4, which lost nearly 400 in about the same time, and the F-4 was a generation above the Thud. In Vietnam, the F-105 earned a reputation for absorbing punishment that would down other aircraft. You can read about the Thud's resilience in "Thud Ridge" or "Going Downtown" by Jack Broughton, and "To Fly and Fight" by Bud Anderson. Both men commanded F-105 units, I think Anderson was a wing commander.
A big part of the reason behind those losses was McNamara's big mouth. He should have spent the rest of his life in prison for announcing missions a week in advance.
The interview, and the subtle interviewer, were excellent. The Vietnamese did get 'self determination' by the unnecessary war set them back 20 years and killed over a million Vietnamese. Respect to those sent to fight.
Since when has communism been considered "self determination"?. The South fought to stop the invading communist North from robbing them of self determination. Just like Ukraine/Russia today. Learn history not politically correct rhetoric.
@@finallyfriday. I can't be bothered winning this argument for the 100th time, because it takes too long and I'm not paid to be a teacher. Let's just say this: the concept of Ukraine is centuries old. "South Vietnam" did not exist politically or in anyone's mind before 1954, and evaporated totally in 1975. The US had to invent it because Ho Chi Minh... who had just led the country to independence... had a popular and moral positiin that was completely unchallenged. (A largely fabricated scare then saw hundreds of thousands of French-supporting Catholics then move south... just in time to shore up the legitimacy-free regime of rich playboy and war dodger Ngo Diem). Yet you think I'm the one swallowing some PC line? You're still spouting Cold War fabrications even its architechts... McNamara, Nixon etc gave up on. You are actually the "Russia" in your analogy: delusional about who you're fighting, unable to accept their political choices, advocating a massive over-use if disproportional force, and leaving in defeat after the population failed to rally to your side as expected by soldiers misled about the situation. Dammit, free education. Just start by considering you have very little in common with Vietnamese peasant, and he might make different political chouces to you. America will keep losing wars until it learns this).
Well then the communist north should have quit trying to invade a sovereign nation to the south. Oh poor them, the poor communist aggressors, someone made it hard for them to invade another country.
@@yapooa Freedom is the ability to do something about it, like vote them out of office, something that people who live under a dictatorship can't do. Yea, it's freedom.
My father flew the F-105 in North Vietnam for two tours and a third and last in the F-111. He was shot down after a strafing pass in 1965,but after spending 10 hours in the thick canopy jungle waiting out a storm he was rescued successfully . A small party and 2 days later-go fly again. Complete 109 missions with Thud and was a flight instructor at McConnell AFB in between tours. Loved the big jet. On one training flight ,the student up front froze on final approach. My dad landed F-105F from backseat which is difficult to do. Also obtained "pilot of distinction" on another flight. I remember him saying (after getting checked out in the F-4C) "your mother can land it".
I started watching this to learn more about the F-105's and became enthralled with your interview. Thank you Col Waddell for your service. You were spot on with your remark about these slime ball politicians. I hope and pray with you that we can get this country back on "the right track".
that's Major Stan Goldberg RIO and his pilot Revanak (0:24) who did the famed 100 missions in 'Nam.... knew Stan at Hill AFB in 1961!! Great story from Wayne Waddell the best warriors on the planet!!
The 105 was my favorite model as a kid. To my eye It's air-frame just exhibited businesslike perfection in supersonic development of the day. But I realized it was a big fighter-bomber that might not be a turn fighter even then. When my veteran Marine uncle told me of it's nickname I wrongly assumed it acquired it in air-to-air combat not knowing anything of it's risky "Wild Weasel" baiting role. I was mighty disappointed to hear that of a machine that I had made some kind of hero of, lol. I think back now in an air-to-air combat role once you put a J79 into an F11 air-frame you would've had yourself an ultimate interceptor that might just surpass an F8, F4 or F100 as a Mig 17 killing turn-fighter right up to the '80s.. And they did it and it was good but they just didn't sell it.
Big learning curve of U.S. military aviation. The F-104, F-106 , F-101 were interceptor aircraft . By that time only the F-4 and the F-8 were more suited for Air Combat. But those Brave Men who flew those Machines were as good as ir gets. I only have the biggest respect and admiration for those Hero,s God Bless América ¡ ❤🙏✌
Thuds actually got 'Towed' out of combat-stage Arenas by their KC-135 Tankers when damaged and low-on-fuel. They often didn't get to 'Home' base, but could land in 'Friendly' airspace. The 'Basket' -type preferred by the Navy, could Not Do This, but the USAF's Mechanical Link for Re-Fuel could. Something I Hope, hasn't been forgotten...
A few shots of the F-107, the Century fighter that wasn't. Not for lack of trying. As for your video, I like it. The interview was cool. I'll watch part 2.
Thanks! what an amazing video.....I grew up by a SAC base in the 50's-and 75'.....saw many big boys, but very few of the little guys....well done video....Paul in Orlando, FL
@@Dronescapes I will now that I watched the F 105 video...working all weekend, but I like it that way too...welding and fabrication some stuff for RedBull...Paul
Thank you for the amazing interview. Thank you Colonel Waddell for your service and for your courage. Sad that so many marriages were strained past the breaking point. My neighbor is the ex wife of a Thud pilot named Spearman. He returned safely. God bless all those Americans who served honorably in Viet Nam.
Was stationed at George AFB, 1974-1976, saw the last squadron fly. When they hit afterburner at takeoff, you found out one reason they were nicknamed “Thud”..! Especially since they had to take off in the cooler air at 0:dark:30 to clear the fence at the end of the 10,000+ foot runway, due to their being built at the Acme Concrete & Ironworks; the pilots said the had the glide characteristics of a brick. Fortunately the enlisted dormitories were closest to the flightline, shielding the rest of the base from the noise… Still, it was fun!
I was born in Chainat in April 1966 and spent some time with my "working relatives" by Takhli. In the late 60's one of them threw me over the fence, and the GSDs guarding the fenceline got me in each knee in hopes to make some restitution money...still got the scars 50+ years ago!!!😎🤠🤕 It was hard living without parents in a village north of the airbase then....🙄
I feel this was a wasteful war. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering these prisoners went through. So sorry he lost his father and his wife left him. That must of hurt a great deal. You have to respect this man for the service he gave for our country.
I agree, many people seem to forget that Vietnam was a complete disaster. It's so much worse that they died because of half wit politicians making poor decisions. Very wasteful and worthless war, doesn't stop me having huge respect these men who fought and died so bravely.
I live on Long Island not far from where these were built. The factory is now a shopping center, only two abandoned buildings remain, totally abandoned and falling down. Fairchild Republic , Grumman in Bethpage and Calverton gone as well. Long Islands rich heritage of aircraft production is almost completely forgotten. Mitchel field where Lindbergh took off on his trip to Europe is now a community college and shopping center. Two Hangers survived and are airplane museums.
I grew up on the Island, that's sad to hear. I remember Fairchild when it was running full steam. Long Island was a great place to grow up in back then, but things always change.
This Man, is a True Hero!! Thanks For your SERVICE, and, God Bless for Your Optimism in Your Service!!! Thank the LORD GOD, that YOU, Survived!! And, also, Thanks for Telling THE WORLD what you, quietly Endured, as PeaceKeepers!
Thank you so very much for your service and tenacity to servive the unservivable. I am very sorry you had to endure it all over there. I hope and pray that you are right that our country can, as you say "can get back on track" for all our sakes. 🙏🇺🇸
My dad said he watched so many 105s go down. He spent most of his time trying to rescue these guys. He was a jet jockey himself. His assignment in Vietnam was a prop plane with a lot of ordinance.
Mr.waddell's story is a very interesting account. Much respect and since he probably wasn't welcomed home. Welcome home mr.waddell thanks for your service if you see this I appreciate it.
While the F-8 often gets called the last gunfighter, it should be noted that during Vietnam, _the F-105 had 25 gun kills vs only two for the F-8_ . Most commentors say the primary weapon of the F-8 was its guns, but that is not really true. The primary weapon was the AIM-9D, and except for the 2 gun kills, all over F-8 kills were sidewinder kills.
@1:30:00 Mr. Waddell spoke of his experience as a POW then of coming back to Clark. What he said here is much like what I experienced coming home from prison after 6 years. People, friends, relatives, loved ones had died but I was rather detached because all I cared about was surviving. I was at a high security yard and there were many stabbings and some cop shootings, some of my good friends didn't make it but I did and thats all that mattered.
Amazing interview. What a horrible experience - and the wife divorcing him while he was a POW????? That's just ice cold. I wonder how she would have felt if the tables had been turned on her. She passed away, right?
Heard a lot of accusations that the 105 was ugly. Beauty in the eye of the beholder...looks gorgeous to me, just as much as the 104. Now the Phantom...there's an ugly bird.
I Always, as a Teen in the 1980's felt that the F-105 and F-111 got a 'Bad-rap' So, doing "Weasel" missions were INSANE! Doing the 'low-threat' stuff wasn't EASY! F 105's, did inflict some decent kills on Mig's ! Had F-8's and F-105's been Combined, I think that our Loss Ratios would have been Far-Less, but; McNamara Kept ANY INTERGRATION, other than the F-4/A-7 from being 'Able'.. SAD..
Why cant' they put the plane up on a ramp with spaces for wheel testing and test the wheels before the plane is in the sky. It seems to me as silly place to find out the wheels will not work.
@30:00 The pilot who said 'command said you had a 50/50 chance of being rescued on any given mission' I'm wondering how many Thud pilots got rescued flying Route Pack 6a. I heard, from other pilots of that time (late 60's) choppers just couldn't get in there.
8:42 Might I suggest that the next time you run across something this Mad Lad you include the pilots name?🤔 "It was decided" 👈Nope! _The test pilot decided_ to stay in that cockpit and earn himself a raise, a boost in his reputation, along with free drinks throughout the rest of that project development.🤣👍
"Tell me more about Vietnam did you fly over there or did they ship you in some other way" "They shipped me by luggage compartment in the doggy pound by makeshift raft behind a dragger vessel
IT WASN'T A GUN FIGHTER it couldn't turn with a MIG in Vietnam the F-105 was mainly used in Bombing missions in North Vietnam against SAM sites.. FACTORIES.. RAILROADS and Bridges. THE mig'S COULD out maneuver the f-105 an F-105 pilot would never get into an aerial DOG FIGHT with a Mig they would drop their bombs on the target and then Hit the GAS and zoom home.. the thunder chief was FAST so it had that too it's advantage. but DOG FIGHT? NOPE... it wasn't a good DOG FIGHTER. it was a fast TACTICAL BOMBER for the Air force pilots in Vietnam.
While the F-105 wasn't a dogfigter, F-105s claimed nearly 30 MiG-17 kills, against about as many American-acknowledged losses. Not bad for a plane that can't dogfight.
Wasn't designed for"dogfighting". It was designed as a "nuclear strike fighter". Low and fast and get out of their. Thunderchief rolled very well. On the deck it outran anything that flew.
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Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: th-cam.com/play/PLBI4gRjPKfnNx3Mp4xzYTtVARDWEr6nrT.html
*"the One Man Air Force."* absolutely. Best Combat Aircraft ever made and deployed into the *ULTIMATE* in Air Combat bar none...until now in Ukraine versus Russia anyways.
While I initially watched this because of my interest in the 105, I was captivated by the interview and couldn’t stop watching. Thanks to all the men and women who served and are still serving. Immense gratitude to those who gave everything they had to fight for our country. USAF 1971-1975
❤🙏
Mate same here just amazing strength. Just wonderful human spirit. Thank you so much for this insight.🇦🇺
USAF 1968-1974, 5 years, 4 month, and 3 days. My memory of the “Thud” was a night as our B-52D ( I was the Nav) was going toward Thailand as fast as our pilot could make our beast go. We could hear a 105 communicating with Command. They asked him where he was, and he said, “I don’t know, but I am on the deck, headed south as fast as I can with a MiG on my tail”. A little bit later, we hear him say he was over the water. The interview was something I thought about every day I flew over Viet Nam. What if I end up on the ground? What will I do? Now, 77 years old, I don’t know if I could have made it. Thank God, I didn’t have to find out.
@@GRJannyDempsey Amen
It was an absolute honor listening to this interview and the sacrifices he made for this country. It only takes an interview like this to ignite inspiration in someone who will hopefully make the necessary changes this country needs. Thank you Wayne for all you have sacrificed. Not many men could endure what you have encountered in life and maintain such an admirable attitude. You inspire me!
Well said. Thank you for the kind comment
Remarkable how he minimized focus on his hardships and stood firm on his strength and faith. A true hero and example of courage and humanity. God bless.
My father's GA ANG unit the 116th at Dobbins AFB flew the F-105G Wild Weasel for several years. Always loved watching them take off with full afterburner going. I got to fly the 105 simulator because of my father. Great aircraft and good memories of time with my father.
Thank you Colonel Waddell. Your story is inspirational and historical. It’s also interesting to me to hear it from a F-105 Pilot. The 105 has been maligned in nearly everything I have read about it. Your simple answer to the question about why so many were lost (targets in the north), explains a lot. I remember the first F-105 I ever saw. It was at the SAC Air Force Museum in Omaha NE. I couldn’t stop staring at it. It was massive. It has the shape of a “boat tail” rifle bullet, and to me one of the most beautiful planes I had ever seen. I had been privileged enough to meet and speak, at length, to Brig Gen Robin Olds just after his last tour in SE Asia where he was the Wing Commander at Ubon Thailand; and just after his appointment as Commandant of Cadets at the US Air Force Academy. I was also witness to a tree top altitude pass he made over the JY Ranch in Jackson Wyoming, where I subsequently met him. From that time. I thought the F-4 Phantom was the epitome of fighter aircraft, until I saw thee 105. What a monstrous beauty.
Johnson, McNamara, Westmoreland… they all should have been sent to prison for what the did to America with their conduct of the war in Vietnam. In this instance, they never achieved air superiority. Even worse, that wasn’t even their goal. The number of F-105’s that were shot down over North Vietnam was criminal.
ditto1958 Secretary of State Dean Rusk sent information by Switzerland diplomatic cable to North Vietnam Communist diplomats the targets, time, direction, number of planes and ordinates, this was done by the U.S Government to prevent civilians casualties inside the North Vietnamese Communist Government armed the civilians men, women and children with rifles and machines to shot at those pilots, if these pilots flight those planes and helicopters bomb, rocket and shoot those armed civilians, they called baby killers, yet the only killer is the Ho Chi Minh communist Government being warned by Washington DC of the bombing target inside of moving them and President Lyndon Baines Johnson and Secretary of States Dean Rusk are the real traitors and criminals here betraying those pilots.
I agree. The whole thing should ever have escalated as it did. They wanted to get their war in Vietnam after Kennedy, under good advice from Ike, decided he wasn't going to be bogged down in a ground war in SE Asia.
Westmoreland was an Academy graduate, he was hired to to a certain job, and he did it. McNamara had no business being where he was, and if I lived in Texas I'd go piss on LBJ's grave. I'm assuming that's where he is.
Absolutely f*cking EVERYTHING that happened over there was criminal. Their solution to every single problem was to just throw more soldiers at it...
It was an honor to listen to this hero's story , first for my appreciation of the Republic F-105 , as I had worked on them while I was stationed in Takhli , Thailand in 1969-70 .
But understanding what our "THUD" pilots endured gave me a new perspective on the conflict in Southeast Asia .
My heart felt thanks to everyone that served in the conflict .
THANK YOU WAYNE, YOU HAVE SAVED US here on the ground, we looked up and see you hit enemy positions. I remember air men talk about how fast it was and how it took miles to turn it around and go back to base.
🇺🇸❤🙏
An incredible story!! I was over in SEA from June 1966 to August of 1967 flying C-130's out of CCKAB, Taiwan. I watched many a launch from Korat, Tac Li, Ubon and Udorn as we sat on the ramp offloading cargo. I take my hat off to you for what you guys did and had to do knowing now what you were up against. I was on the C-130 ABCCC call sign Hillsboro during Operation Bolo on Jan 2, 1967 when Col. Olds led the very successful raid where I believe 7 Migs were shot down. Your story brings back many memories. I had clicked onto the article wanting to know more about the development of the F-105 and was captivated by your story.
I LOVED THE C.130
Thank you DroneScapes, I've been waiting for a video on this jet.
This person is a hero who unfortunately fought in a worthless war. Thanks Wayne for your sacrifice.
yeah, glad someone pointed that out, it's sad so many good men were lost due to half wit lying politicians. I still admire the courage of these men, like Wayne here, who bravely fought for their country.
Made "worthless" by Walter Cronkite, Jane Fonda and their ilk. History would have been radically changed if not for these fellow travelers.
After hearing this story, I want to see that Red Georgian clay too, as his story makes you realise the warmth of the people round there, what an Airman. Inspirational stuff..........The Aircaft was amazing too
BRAVO TO THIS INTERVIEW !! I WAS IN THE USAF AT THE SAME TIME HE WAS 1965 T0 1969. I WAS AT SOME OF THE SAME BASES. I AM ALSO FROM ATLANTA GA, AND WENT TO GA TECH.
🙏👍🇺🇸
What an awesome interview, absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for your service!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Like others have commented on here I started watching because of the 105. But this interview what this amazing individual a true hero it brings tears to my eyes when I think what these people accomplished and how our nation at the time humiliated itself In the way that they were treated when they came home. The one thing that I remember is my dad saying to us kids that if we ever treated any soldier the way that our nation was treating them spitting on them calling them baby killers that he would have nothing to do with us for the rest of our lives. We took that to heart and not one of us kids has ever had anything but the highest respect for those that answer the call to serve our nation. I thank God every single day that there are those willing protect all of us no matter the cost. I am now 64 years old and the one thing that I realized now more than anything is our liberty is worth any price we have to pay there is no price that is too high to pay for our liberty. Those in the military are paying that price every single day and we should all be on our knees thanking God that there are those willing to do this.
What an honor to hear ur story sir!!
It was a complete privilege listening to this.... 👍🇺🇸
It's better, imo, than most professional storytellers, just a normal guy, it's not been over polished or rehearsed, just genuine experiences from an interesting time. Privilege indeed.
Thank you for your sacrifice and service. We need more good people like you in this world!
What a hoss, from a retired USAF crew chief on fighter jets, God bless sir, SALUTE!
❤👍🇺🇸
"hoss" Helicopter Onboard Surveillance System?
Turned this video on to learn about the 105 but I couldn’t stop watching that interview. Important to remember the experience of those men!
We try to make these memories as visible as possible. Thank you!
THANK YOU for your service Wayne and God Blees you SIR.
🙏♥️
F-105 early career was plagued with maintenance issues and in-flight failures. The F-105 nickname "Thud" was believed to have stood for the sound of an F-105 crashing into the ground. In fact, The entire F-105 fleet was grounded in December 1961 and then again in June 1962 because of in flight failures. In Vietnam about 1/2 of the fleet of 800 aircraft were shot down.
@@briancooper2112 F-16 had difficlties with fly -by-wire which was leading edge tech at the time
All cutting edge machines have early teething problems. The F-105 was an awesome aircraft, loved by it's pilots, doing a job in vietnam TOTALLY opposite of it's intended design. One of the fastest low level aircraft ever....Thuds put more bombs on targets than anything else during that conflict. Show some respect!!!
The NVA and VC shot down 400 f-105s??
What a waste
F-105 losses were mostly combat related, based on unfavorable tactics and combat conditions. They also flew many of the most dangerous missions. Numbers that I've seen are about 320 combat related losses for single and dual seat Thuds, including Wild Weasel aircraft tasked to fight directly against the men who themselves were assigned to kill them. Those losses don't seem so bad in comparison to the F-4, which lost nearly 400 in about the same time, and the F-4 was a generation above the Thud. In Vietnam, the F-105 earned a reputation for absorbing punishment that would down other aircraft. You can read about the Thud's resilience in "Thud Ridge" or "Going Downtown" by Jack Broughton, and "To Fly and Fight" by Bud Anderson. Both men commanded F-105 units, I think Anderson was a wing commander.
A big part of the reason behind those losses was McNamara's big mouth. He should have spent the rest of his life in prison for announcing missions a week in advance.
Awesome job , very good interview
The interview, and the subtle interviewer, were excellent.
The Vietnamese did get 'self determination' by the unnecessary war set them back 20 years and killed over a million Vietnamese.
Respect to those sent to fight.
Since when has communism been considered "self determination"?. The South fought to stop the invading communist North from robbing them of self determination. Just like Ukraine/Russia today. Learn history not politically correct rhetoric.
@@finallyfriday. I can't be bothered winning this argument for the 100th time, because it takes too long and I'm not paid to be a teacher. Let's just say this: the concept of Ukraine is centuries old. "South Vietnam" did not exist politically or in anyone's mind before 1954, and evaporated totally in 1975. The US had to invent it because Ho Chi Minh... who had just led the country to independence... had a popular and moral positiin that was completely unchallenged. (A largely fabricated scare then saw hundreds of thousands of French-supporting Catholics then move south... just in time to shore up the legitimacy-free regime of rich playboy and war dodger Ngo Diem).
Yet you think I'm the one swallowing some PC line? You're still spouting Cold War fabrications even its architechts... McNamara, Nixon etc gave up on.
You are actually the "Russia" in your analogy: delusional about who you're fighting, unable to accept their political choices, advocating a massive over-use if disproportional force, and leaving in defeat after the population failed to rally to your side as expected by soldiers misled about the situation.
Dammit, free education. Just start by considering you have very little in common with Vietnamese peasant, and he might make different political chouces to you. America will keep losing wars until it learns this).
Well then the communist north should have quit trying to invade a sovereign nation to the south.
Oh poor them, the poor communist aggressors, someone made it hard for them to invade another country.
Some never learn. You really think bought and paid for politicians by corporations is freedom?
@@yapooa
Freedom is the ability to do something about it, like vote them out of office, something that people who live under a dictatorship can't do.
Yea, it's freedom.
My father flew the F-105 in North Vietnam for two tours and a third and last in the F-111. He was shot down after a strafing pass in 1965,but after spending 10 hours in the thick canopy jungle waiting out a storm he was rescued successfully . A small party and 2 days later-go fly again. Complete 109 missions with Thud and was a flight instructor at McConnell AFB in between tours. Loved the big jet. On one training flight ,the student up front froze on final approach. My dad landed F-105F from backseat which is difficult to do. Also obtained "pilot of distinction" on another flight. I remember him saying (after getting checked out in the F-4C) "your mother can land it".
"Lovingly" nicknamed the "thud" due to the sound it made when it impacted the ground
I started watching this to learn more about the F-105's and became enthralled with your interview. Thank you Col Waddell for your service. You were spot on with your remark about these slime ball politicians. I hope and pray with you that we can get this country back on "the right track".
what an amazing video, the images and narration are fabulous....this is a real winner.....Bravo
An excellent documentary presentation of the good old Thud!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I read a book years ago a Thud pilot wrote who flew out of Thailand.
He loved it. A very impressive read.
that's Major Stan Goldberg RIO and his pilot Revanak (0:24) who did the famed 100 missions in 'Nam.... knew Stan at Hill AFB in 1961!! Great story from Wayne Waddell the best warriors on the planet!!
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Flew with quite a few combat vets. One USAFA grad had most POW's in his graduating class of any service. All brave men.
👍 thank you for your service and for sharing Brian
The 105 was my favorite model as a kid. To my eye It's air-frame just exhibited businesslike perfection in supersonic development of the day. But I realized it was a big fighter-bomber that might not be a turn fighter even then. When my veteran Marine uncle told me of it's nickname I wrongly assumed it acquired it in air-to-air combat not knowing anything of it's risky "Wild Weasel" baiting role. I was mighty disappointed to hear that of a machine that I had made some kind of hero of, lol.
I think back now in an air-to-air combat role once you put a J79 into an F11 air-frame you would've had yourself an ultimate interceptor that might just surpass an F8, F4 or F100 as a Mig 17 killing turn-fighter right up to the '80s.. And they did it and it was good but they just didn't sell it.
Big learning curve of U.S. military aviation. The F-104, F-106 , F-101 were interceptor aircraft . By that time only the F-4 and the F-8 were more suited for Air Combat. But those Brave Men who flew those Machines were as good as ir gets. I only have the biggest respect and admiration for those Hero,s God Bless América ¡ ❤🙏✌
One has to be in awe of its gorgeous aesthetic and engineering design.
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Thuds actually got 'Towed' out of combat-stage Arenas by their KC-135 Tankers when damaged and low-on-fuel. They often didn't get to 'Home' base, but could land in 'Friendly' airspace. The 'Basket' -type preferred by the Navy, could Not Do This, but the USAF's Mechanical Link for Re-Fuel could. Something I Hope, hasn't been forgotten...
A few shots of the F-107, the Century fighter that wasn't. Not for lack of trying.
As for your video, I like it. The interview was cool. I'll watch part 2.
Thanks! what an amazing video.....I grew up by a SAC base in the 50's-and 75'.....saw many big boys, but very few of the little guys....well done video....Paul in Orlando, FL
Thank you so much Paul! I am glad you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful weekend.
@@Dronescapes I will now that I watched the F 105 video...working all weekend, but I like it that way too...welding and fabrication some stuff for RedBull...Paul
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Thank you for the amazing interview. Thank you Colonel Waddell for your service and for your courage. Sad that so many marriages were strained past the breaking point. My neighbor is the ex wife of a Thud pilot named Spearman. He returned safely. God bless all those Americans who served honorably in Viet Nam.
The interview was great
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Was stationed at George AFB, 1974-1976, saw the last squadron fly. When they hit afterburner at takeoff, you found out one reason they were nicknamed “Thud”..! Especially since they had to take off in the cooler air at 0:dark:30 to clear the fence at the end of the 10,000+ foot runway, due to their being built at the Acme Concrete & Ironworks; the pilots said the had the glide characteristics of a brick. Fortunately the enlisted dormitories were closest to the flightline, shielding the rest of the base from the noise… Still, it was fun!
Great video. Thanks.
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I was born in Chainat in April 1966 and spent some time with my "working relatives" by Takhli. In the late 60's one of them threw me over the fence, and the GSDs guarding the fenceline got me in each knee in hopes to make some restitution money...still got the scars 50+ years ago!!!😎🤠🤕 It was hard living without parents in a village north of the airbase then....🙄
wow, you're so lucky, Thailand looks amazing, I'd love to go there if I can afford it one day.
I feel this was a wasteful war. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering these prisoners went through. So sorry he lost his father and his wife left him. That must of hurt a great deal. You have to respect this man for the service he gave for our country.
I agree, many people seem to forget that Vietnam was a complete disaster. It's so much worse that they died because of half wit politicians making poor decisions. Very wasteful and worthless war, doesn't stop me having huge respect these men who fought and died so bravely.
My father has MANY years with Thuds. I worked on restoration of the D and G models in Hill AFB Museum with him.
One of my favorites
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I live on Long Island not far from where these were built. The factory is now a shopping center, only two abandoned buildings remain, totally abandoned and falling down. Fairchild Republic , Grumman in Bethpage and Calverton gone as well. Long Islands rich heritage of aircraft production is almost completely forgotten. Mitchel field where Lindbergh took off on his trip to Europe is now a community college and shopping center. Two Hangers survived and are airplane museums.
I grew up on the Island, that's sad to hear. I remember Fairchild when it was running full steam. Long Island was a great place to grow up in back then, but things always change.
This Man, is a True Hero!! Thanks For your SERVICE, and, God Bless for Your Optimism in Your Service!!! Thank the LORD GOD, that YOU, Survived!! And, also, Thanks for Telling THE WORLD what you, quietly Endured, as PeaceKeepers!
He is Eric! Thanks for commenting
I served at Takli AFB with the 357th F105 as a Radar mechanic in 1963
Thank you for your service Bill
Thank you so very much for your service and tenacity to servive the unservivable. I am very sorry you had to endure it all over there. I hope and pray that you are right that our country can, as you say "can get back on track" for all our sakes. 🙏🇺🇸
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Thank you so very much for your service, sir!! God bless you!!! 👍😎
His answer to the Eternal Peace helped me accept my current situation and my questions about it here in Los Angeles.
My dad said he watched so many 105s go down. He spent most of his time trying to rescue these guys. He was a jet jockey himself. His assignment in Vietnam was a prop plane with a lot of ordinance.
Mr.waddell's story is a very interesting account. Much respect and since he probably wasn't welcomed home. Welcome home mr.waddell thanks for your service if you see this I appreciate it.
USMC Vietnam vet...Breathtaking...Well done Sir ........👍
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While the F-8 often gets called the last gunfighter, it should be noted that during Vietnam, _the F-105 had 25 gun kills vs only two for the F-8_ . Most commentors say the primary weapon of the F-8 was its guns, but that is not really true. The primary weapon was the AIM-9D, and except for the 2 gun kills, all over F-8 kills were sidewinder kills.
46:15 😳 I suppose it's better than parachuting into an alligator farm...
But not by much. Holy crap.🥺
i was a weapons mechanic on the F105 in 1966-1967 at takli thailand
And we need a video of the f104
th-cam.com/video/3LOUCfVrN2I/w-d-xo.html
@@Dronescapes lol
Yea I noticed that after I wrote the comment so I'll just say a longer one
Thank you!
You're welcome!
An incredible video of a very impressive aircraft and fine aviator and American.
What a way to find out your wife back home had filed for divorce.
@1:30:00 Mr. Waddell spoke of his experience as a POW then of coming back to Clark. What he said here is much like what I experienced coming home from prison after 6 years. People, friends, relatives, loved ones had died but I was rather detached because all I cared about was surviving. I was at a high security yard and there were many stabbings and some cop shootings, some of my good friends didn't make it but I did and thats all that mattered.
When was the interview conducted please?
Republic Thunderchief narrated by Darth Vader...! how better could this be!
Amazing interview. What a horrible experience - and the wife divorcing him while he was a POW????? That's just ice cold. I wonder how she would have felt if the tables had been turned on her. She passed away, right?
F-100,s were very good too the F-5 were never used the way it must had been in my humble opinion because the F-5 was a very good dogfight machine
My dad worked on thse at Mc Clellan AFB in California Major Ott used to test them for him
The fact that McNamoron didn't live out his years behind bars is a crime in its own right.
Heard a lot of accusations that the 105 was ugly. Beauty in the eye of the beholder...looks gorgeous to me, just as much as the 104. Now the Phantom...there's an ugly bird.
No jet uglier than the f-35
@@alexanderbutler2989 Did you see the X32 that the F35 competed against? it looked even worse than the F35, lol
Looks pretty nice and sleek to me, classic 50's/60's design looked amazing.
Overated Phantom is "double ugly".
Best looking birds......F-105,B-58,RA-5C,F7F. Phantom ........double ugly
I Always, as a Teen in the 1980's felt that the F-105 and F-111 got a 'Bad-rap' So, doing "Weasel" missions were INSANE! Doing the 'low-threat' stuff wasn't EASY! F 105's, did inflict some decent kills on Mig's ! Had F-8's and F-105's been Combined, I think that our Loss Ratios would have been Far-Less, but; McNamara Kept ANY INTERGRATION, other than the F-4/A-7 from being 'Able'.. SAD..
The F105 shown at the 26:39 minute mark is Bud Anderson's Old Crow II.
Do you have anything about the TU-160?
Can't find it.
It was also known as "the Lead Sled".
I am looking for a song dedicated to F-105! I heard it a long time ago, did anybody know anything about it?
Why cant' they put the plane up on a ramp with spaces for wheel testing and test the wheels before the plane is in the sky. It seems to me as silly place to find out the wheels will not work.
Quite a load carrier.
Incredibly brave pilots thanks for your service.
Yes they are
What is that Missile designed for????
@30:00 The pilot who said 'command said you had a 50/50 chance of being rescued on any given mission' I'm wondering how many Thud pilots got rescued flying Route Pack 6a. I heard, from other pilots of that time (late 60's) choppers just couldn't get in there.
8:42 Might I suggest that the next time you run across something this Mad Lad you include the pilots name?🤔
"It was decided" 👈Nope!
_The test pilot decided_ to stay in that cockpit and earn himself a raise, a boost in his reputation, along with free drinks throughout the rest of that project development.🤣👍
Hell of a man
it sort of reminds me of the current F-18 Superhornet = a supersonic attack aircraft.
Good old Thunderthud
What’s the beginning music/tune
"Tell me more about Vietnam did you fly over there or did they ship you in some other way" "They shipped me by luggage compartment in the doggy pound by makeshift raft behind a dragger vessel
Looks like a beefed up F-86 sabre
They don't fly Jets on Salt Lake this is Murock Air Force Base in California
These bomber pilots really didn't like those radar guided anti-aircraft guns around Hanoi, they found them very Hanoi-ing. 😁
The problem is that the government wants à perfect plane as it is finished
Pictures don't accurately match the audio.
To many mistakes, but somewhat informative none the less.
Huh...sudden uptick in nervous tics over Robin Olds in that interview.
The enemy is within.
THUD. 'nuff said.
Great video except for my ears being assaulted by horrible music.
No such thing as a one man air force.
IT WASN'T A GUN FIGHTER it couldn't turn with a MIG in Vietnam the F-105 was mainly used in Bombing missions in North Vietnam against SAM sites.. FACTORIES.. RAILROADS and Bridges. THE mig'S COULD out maneuver the f-105
an F-105 pilot would never get into an aerial DOG FIGHT with a Mig they would drop their bombs on the target and then Hit the GAS and zoom home.. the thunder chief was FAST so it had that too it's advantage.
but DOG FIGHT? NOPE... it wasn't a good DOG FIGHTER. it was a fast TACTICAL BOMBER for the Air force pilots in Vietnam.
While the F-105 wasn't a dogfigter, F-105s claimed nearly 30 MiG-17 kills, against about as many American-acknowledged losses. Not bad for a plane that can't dogfight.
Wasn't designed for"dogfighting". It was designed as a "nuclear strike fighter". Low and fast and get out of their. Thunderchief rolled very well. On the deck it outran anything that flew.
I hope the divorce court didn't order that pilot to pay alimony when his wife was the one who left the marriage.
Too many commercials going to Amazon Prime, bye!
You can always have TH-cam premium and not have any commercial, plus a lot of other perks.
Thumbs down 👎🏻, only the first 26 minutes & 49 seconds is about the Thunder chief.
this aircraft is so sexy