F-105 Stars & Stripes Structured Twill Cap

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, better known as the “Thud”, was a large supersonic fighter-bomber developed for the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s. Republic began the project in 1951 as a replacement for the F-84F, and the first F-105 prototype flew on Oct 12ᵗʰ, 1955. Although originally designed for high-speed nuclear strike missions, the Thunderchief became best known for conventional bombing during the Vietnam War.

The F-105D was the main single-seat fighter-bomber version. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojet, it could reach around 1,390 mph and carry more than 12,000 lb of ordnance, including bombs, rockets, missiles and a 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon. Its speed, range and heavy weapons load made it well suited to long strike missions from bases in Thailand against targets in North Vietnam and Laos.

During Operation Rolling Thunder, the F-105 became one of the USAF’s main strike aircraft. Thud crews attacked bridges, rail yards, supply routes, industrial targets and heavily defended air defence sites, often flying repeated missions into areas protected by radar-guided surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. The aircraft carried a heavy burden in the air war, but losses were severe: the USAF lost 334 F-105s in combat during the Southeast Asia War, with another 63 lost to accidents or malfunctions.

The F-105 also became closely linked with the Wild Weasel mission. Two-seat F-105F aircraft arrived in Thailand in 1966 and formed the backbone of USAF surface-to-air missile suppression during Rolling Thunder. These crews used radar-homing missiles such as the AGM-45 Shrike, along with bombs and rockets, to locate, mark and attack enemy SAM sites. The later F-105G added improved electronic warfare equipment and became the best-known Wild Weasel Thunderchief.

A total of 833 F-105s were built, including 610 F-105D aircraft. The type was gradually replaced in Vietnam by aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom II, but the Thunderchief remained one of the defining USAF combat aircraft of the war. The last F-105D was withdrawn from U.S. Air Force service in July 1980.

Why are the stripes vertical?
Great question - and you're absolutely right that the U.S. flag is usually displayed with horizontal stripes. But in this design, we’ve reimagined the flag as an artistic tribute rather than a literal representation. We chose to depict the flag as if it were hanging vertically from above, similar to how it might appear draped at a hangar entrance or suspended during a ceremony. This vertical orientation allows the iconic silhouette of the aircraft to really shine -with the red and white stripes running the length of the fuselage, it creates a bold, centred look while still honouring the flag’s spirit and symbolism.