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In the tumultuous era of the 1960s, seasoned pilots, even those fresh from commanding the nimble F-86 Sabre, found themselves awestruck by the imposing presence of the Air Force’s latest aerial marvel: the F-105 Thunderchief.

This iron beast boasted an external payload capacity that defied even the wildest expectations, with a steel compartment capable of storing up to sixteen 750-pound bombs on shorter missions. And no matter how high the pilots leaped or how far they stretched, they couldn't reach the edge of the air intake.

The enormous aircraft was destined to make a difference in the Vietnam War, but eventually struggled with design and engine problems that resulted in a higher rate of loss than usual. Even so, their powerful thrust enabled supersonic capabilities, allowing them to often leave enemies behind.

It wasn't until later in the decade that the Wild Weasel program put the Thunderchiefs in the spotlight, outfitting them with advanced electronic equipment and anti-radiation missiles. Now, the largest single-engine combat aircraft in Vietnam had to prove its worth by protecting American forces and always being the first to enter and the last to exit, even in the most treacherous circumstances…

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Join Dark Skies as we explore the world of aviation with cinematic short documentaries featuring the biggest and fastest airplanes ever built, top-secret military projects, and classified missions with hidden untold true stories. Including US, German, and Soviet warplanes, along with aircraft developments that took place during World War I, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf War, and special operations mission in between.

As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect and soundtracks for emotional impact. We do our best to keep it as visually accurate as possible.

All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas.