F-105D-THUNDERCHIEF-TRAILS-SMOKE-ENCOUNTER-WITH-SAM-AUTUMN-VIEP-22

SA-2 surface to air missile F-105 trailing smoke just after interception by an SA-2. The SA-2 did not actually hit an aircraft—the fuse automatically went off when it neared the target, throwing deadly fragments over a wide area. (U.S. Air Force photo)

An F-105D Thunderchief trails smoke on Feb. 14, 1968, after an encounter with an SA-2. The SAM did not hit the bomber, but exploded as it neared the aircraft. Those explosions could be deadly as they scattered fragments over a wide area. Pilot Robert Malcolm Elliot was killed. (U.S. Air force)

U.S. Air force