This thread is good stuff.
Puts in perspective using 'no ILS GS available' as an excuse for not being able to land an aircraft on a clear day as possibly being somewhat lame.
To add to the OP, as the F-105s were being decimated, Republic came up with what they called the 'pilot recovery system'.
A cover guarded activation switch enabled what was a relatively tiny little silver toggle switch on the right console that would electrically move the TE flaps differentially for roll control if the normal flight control system had damage. The idea being that the pilot could use the roll control and thrust to point the aircraft in a direction that would ultimately provide for an ejection in 'friendly' territory.
Republic eventually 'upgraded' this to the 'aircraft recovery system' which provided a slightly larger little silver toggle switch on the right console that not only provided roll control, but also pitch control....when you pulled the little switch aft, the nose went up as a result of both TE flaps now moving toward down and vice-versa....all electric with the TE flaps. The idea being you could actually land the aircraft with this system.
In transition training (near the end of the F-105 service life) I got the 'opportunity' to use this system at altitude....
....first time I ever flew with a side-stick and electric 'flight controls'.
I think Republic may have been somewhat optimistic.
