F-105 STORY, TAKHLI AB, THAILAND

Covers activities of five F-105 pilots, Maj John A. Bobel, Jr., Capt Frederick O. Hawkins (AFA 62), Capt Howard L. Bodenhamer (AFA 60), Capt Lawrence, and lLt Paul J. Sheehy from preparation for mission through their departure and return from air strikes. Shows uploading of ordnance on F-105D’s by load teams and F-105 takeoffs and landings. F-105’s shown are camouflaged. (Note: 14“ Magnetic Tape has briefings by Maj Bobel and F-105 engines starting, taxiing out, taking off, and landing.) Shows F-105D taxiing to arming area, load team removing safety pins from bomb rack, checking tires and fuses on M-117 (750-lb) GP bombs, and F-105D’s taxiing from arming area to runway. Shows F-105D’s and F-105F taxiing to dearming area, load team checking F-105D, and aircraft taxiing from area. Shows F-105D’s parked in arming area, taxiing from area, and taking positions at head of runway. Shows F-105D’s taxiing to arming area, load team checking F-105D armed with Shrike and bombs, two F-105F’s with Sparrow and Wild Weasel gear, and F-105D taxiing out. lLt Paul J. Sheehy seated at table, pilots getting gear in PE shed, donning cutaway garment and flak vest, and Capt Frederick O. Hawkins checking UHF transmitter. 465’ SLATE:ROLL: R30C-7B-468. Capt Howard L. Bodenhamer, Maj John A. Bobel, Jr., lLt Sheehy, Capt Hawkins, and Capt Lawrence aboard truck en route to flight line and leaving truck; Capt Bodenhamer walking to F-105D, checking fuse settings on bombs, preflighting aircraft, checking logbook with crew chief, and picking up parachute. Maj Bobel, Capt Bodenhamer, Capt Hawkins, Capt Lawrence, and lLt Sheehy leaving 354th TFS Operations Building and boarding truck; lLt Sheehy walking to F-105D, talking to crew chief, checking logbook, and preflighting aircraft and M-117 (750-lb GP) bombs. Capt Hawkins checking UHF transmitter, lLt Sheehy asking PE specialist about item on helmet, Capt Lawrence donning parachute, Capt Bodenhamer handing .38 caliber revolver to lLt Sheehy and stuffing helmet in ditty bag. Maj Bobel preflighting F-105D with crew chief. F-105D’s, armed with 750-lb GP bombs, taxiing out (three of the aircraft also have Sidewinders) -- shows F-105D instrument panel as pilot’s hand sets switches. Capt Lawrence checking 750-lb GP bombs, preflighting F-105D, climbing into cockpit, strapping in, and checking controls. Pilots leaving PE shed, Capt Lawrence handing gear to crew chief, checking logbook, and preflighting F-105D and 750-lb GP bombs.. F-105D pulling into parking position and Capt Lawrence handing gear to crew chief, leaving cockpit and walking away from aircraft -- also show F-105D instrument panel. Ground crew sitting on sandbag bunkers watching F-105D’s and RB-66E taxiing out and taking off and Capt Bodenhamer on duty at mobile control tower and looking through binoculars. Personnel on duty in Maintenance Control Center and Maj George E. Thomas talking with two NCO’s. Shows sunrise with F-105D in FG, crew chief checking F-105D, F-105D and F-105F, armed with Shrikes, taxiing out, and F-104D taxiing out. Shows F-105D’s taxiing to arming area. Shows sunrise -- pan to flight line activity, F-105’s parked on ramp, and ground crews servicing F-105D’s. Shows F-105D’s taxiing from runway to dearming area. 1000’ Total footage in reel. Shows F-105D’s, armed with M-117 (750-lb GP) bombs, parked on ramp and taxiing out -- several aircraft also have Sidewinders. Personnel on duty in Maintenance Control Center, Maj Thomas checking status boards, and dispatchers speaking into microphones. Shows five F-105D’s, armed with M-117 GP bombs, taking off to right, F-105D pulling into parking position, and Capt Lawrence leaving aircraft and walking across ramp. . Airmen checking components of 20mm M-61 Vulcan (Gatling Gun) in armament shop, F-105D on approach and landing to right, and five F-105D’s and F-105F landing to right in pairs. Maj Bobel, Capt Hawkins, Capt Bodenhamer, Capt Lawrence, and lLt Sheehy entering and leaving briefing room and Capt Bodenhamer seated at table. . Driver speaking into microphone as truck moves past parked F-105D’s, driver changing status board in truck and talking to NCO, and truck moving past parked F-105D’s. . Shows F-105D’s parked on ramp and ground crews checking aircraft. (Late evening) . dolly shot past row of F-105D’s and F-105F’s parked on ramp -- ground crew moving checking hydraulic connection at base of vertical stabilizer. Shows F-105D’s, armed with M-117 GP bombs, taxiing to arming area. . lLt Sheehy donning parachute, climbing into F-105D cockpit, going through check list, donning helmet, and checking oxygen flow -- F-105D parked, engine starting, and refueling equipment being ground tested. Shows truck stopping at font of F-105D’s, pilots leaving truck and walking to their aircraft, Capt Hawkins climbing into cockpit, F-105D’s, armed with M-117 GP bombs, taxiing out, and Maj Bobel climbing into cockpit, strapping in, and donning helmet.