Warplanes of the USA: North American F-100 Super Sabre

North American F-100 Super Sabre

(USAF Photo)

A formation of four U.S. Air Force North American F-100C Super Sabres (S/N 54-2105, 54-2102, 54-2107, 54-1796).

The North American F-100 Super Sabre is an American supersonic jet fighter aircraft designed and produced by the aircraft manufacturer North American Aviation. The first of the Century Series of American jet fighters, it was the first United States Air Force (USAF) fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight.

The F-100 was envisioned during the late 1940s as a higher-performance successor to the F-86 Sabre air superiority fighter. Initially referred to as the Sabre 45, it was delivered as an unsolicited proposal to the USAF in January 1951, leading to two prototypes being ordered one year later following modifications. The first YF-100A performed its maiden flight on 25 May 1953, seven months ahead of schedule. Flight testing demonstrated both the F-100's promising performance and several deficiencies, which included its tendency of yaw instability and inertia coupling that led to numerous fatal accidents. On 27 September 1954, the F-100A officially entered USAF service, however, as a result of six major accidents occurred by 10 November 1954, the type was grounded while investigations and remedial work were conducted. The F-100 returned to flight in February 1955.

In response to the Tactical Air Command's (TAC) request for a fighter-bomber, the F-100C was developed, followed by the more capable F-100D. Several other models would be developed, including the two-seat F-100F supersonic trainer. As early as 1958, the USAF began to withdraw its F-100As, but returned them to service during early 1962 amid escalating world tensions. Many F-100s saw combat use during the Vietnam War before being superseded by the high-speed Republic F-105 Thunderchief in the strike mission. The F-100 flew extensively over South Vietnam as the air force's primary close air support aircraft until being replaced by the more capable subsonic LTV A-7 Corsair II,[5] General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, and the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.[

242 F-100s of various models were lost over Vietnam. Several F-100As were rebuilt into RF-100A aerial reconnaissance aircraft. Several F-100Fs were modified into electronic warfare platforms. Several proposed models and derivatives, such as the F-100B interceptor and the F-107, did not proceed through to production.Amid a relatively high attrition rate and the arrival of more advanced fighters, the USAF opted to permanently withdraw its remaining F-100s during the early 1970s. The type was also operated by the Air National Guard (ANG) until 1979. The F‑100 was exported to several overseas operators, including NATO air forces and other U.S. allies, including the Turkish Air Force, Republic of China Air Force, and the French Air Force. The F-100 was deployed during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, performing close air support missions. French F-100s also saw action during the Algerian War. During its later life, the F-100 was often referred to as the "Hun", a shortened version of "one hundred". (Wikipedia)

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force North American F-100D-85-NH Super Sabre aircraft (s/n 56-3415) fires a salvo of 2.75-inch rockets against an enemy position in South Vietnam in 1967. This aircraft was lost with its pilot, 1Lt Clive Jeffs, after an engine failure near Nha Trang on 12 March 1971.

(USAF Photo)

Early A-model with the original short tail fin.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100A (Serial No. 53-1530).

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100A.

(USAF Photo)

North Americaqn F-100C Super Sabre (Serial No. 55-3731), coded FW-371, over Dry Lake, Nevada.

(USAF Photo)

F-100 Super Sabre (Serial No. 56-3385), 353d TFS, 1960.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100 Super Sabre at Korat RTAFB - Wild Weasel Detachment, 1966.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100F-10-NA Super Sabre (s/n 56-3805) of the 127th Tactical Fighter Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, in the 1960s. This aircraft was retired to the MASDC, coded as FE0619 on 1 October 1979.

(USAF Photo)

353d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-100 56-3391 Drouge Refueling, 1960.

(USAF Photo)

353d Tactical Fighter Squadron F-100 Flightline, 1960.

(USAF Photo)

356th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-100F 56-3870 to AMARC 22 July 1972 To DK 26 Mar 1974 Retired 11 Aug 1982 now a gate guard at Skrydstrup AB, Denmark.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100D-15-NA (SN 54-2281).

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100D Super Sabre (s/n 56-3040) of the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, en route to a target in Vietnam in December 1965.

(USAF Photo)

A North American F-100D Super Sabre (s/n 56-3397) of the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, detached from the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, assigned temporarily to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, being loaded with M117 750 lb bombs at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, in early 1966. This plane was retired to the MASDC on 26 January 1979 as FE0453.

(USAF Photo)

Two U.S. Air Force North American F-100D Super Sabre aircraft over South Vietnam in 1967. The aircraft nearer to the camera is an F-100D-45-NH (s/n 55-2914).

(USAF Photo)

U.S. Air Force Sgt. Robert D. Gray guides a 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, North American F-100D-90-NA Super Sabre aircraft (s/n 56-3287) at Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late 1967. Pilots of the 31st TFW flew 23,069 sorties since deploying to Vietnam in November 1966 and the time the picture was taken. Note: The official description states that this aircraft was returning from a mission. However, it is fully armed.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy North American AJ-2 Savage (BuNo 134047) of heavy attack squadron VAH-16 White Blades refuels U.S. Air Force North American F-100D-25-NA Super Sabres (s/n 55-3611, 55-3621) of the 405th Tactical Fighter Wing of Clark Air Base, Philippine Islands, in 1958.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100A (SN 52-5759) landing with drag chute.

(USAF Photo)

Four U.S. Air Force Century-series fighters in flight in 1957. These supersonic fighters were tested by the NACA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California (USA). The aircraft visible are: McDonnell F-101A-5-MC Voodoo (s/n 53-2430, top), Lockheed XF-104A Starfighter (53-7786, left). This aircraft crashed on 11 July 1957 due to an uncontrollable tail flutter. The pilot, Bill Park, ejected safely, Convair F-102A-20-CO Delta Dagger (53-1805, right), North American F-100A-20-NA Super Sabre (53-1663, bottom).

(NASA Photo)

Three North American F-100A-5-NA Super Sabre fighters (s/n 52-5770, 52-5773, 52-5778) at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1955. On the left is NACA High-Speed Flight Station’s F-100A (52-5778) with a modified vertical fin. On the right is the USAF F-100A (52-5773) with the original vertical fin configuration. NACA added a larger vertical fin to the airplane in December 1954, adding 10 percent more surface area. Later North American installed an even larger fin, having 27 percent greater area, as well as wingtip extensions. These modifications solved the dangerous directional stability and roll coupling problems that the F-100 was experiencing.

(NASA Photo)

North American F-100A (52-5778) Super Sabre on the Rogers Dry Lakebed in a 1955 photograph. NACA High-Speed Flight Station, Edwards, California, flew this F-100 Super Sabre from 1954 to 1960 to investigate stability and control features of the then-new supersonic Air Force fighter. The program was part of NACA's support to the test and development program of the new 'century series' of aircraft

(USAF Photo)

North American RF-100A (Serial No. 53-1551)

(USAF Photo)

North American YF-100 (SN 52-5754).

(USAF Photos)

The sole U.S. Air Force North American TF-100C Super Sabre (s/n 54-1966) in flight. The TF-100C was a prototype of the two-seat trainer version of the F-100, developed by North American as a private venture. The TF-100C made its first flight on 17 January 1955. It suffered a serious failure that tore off part of the tail and part of the engine exhaust nozzle, causing it to break apart in midair on 9 April 1957, north-west of Kramer Junction, California (USA). The pilot, Robert Baker, ejected safely. 339 two-seat F-100Fs were built, based on the F-100D.

(NACA Photos)

North American F-100 C (NACA 42024) used in sonic boom investigation at Wallops, 7 October 1958.

(NASA Photo)

North American F-100A (NACA-200) Super Sabre Airplane take-off. The blowing-tupe boundary-layer control on the leading- and trailing-edge provided large reductions in takeoff and landing approach speeds. Approach speeds were reduced by about 10 knots (Mar 1960).

(USAF Photo)

The first four Century series fighters: North American F-100 Super Sabre, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter and Republic F-105 Thunderchief.

(USAF Photo)

Three U.S. Air Force North American F-100D Super Sabres of the 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron over South Vietnam in February 1966. Early F-100s were unpainted when they arrived in Southeast Asia like the foreground aircraft, but all eventually received camouflage paint like the aircraft in the back. Visible are F-100D-20-NA s/n 55-3559 and s/n 55-3572, and F-100D-25-NA s/n 55-3647.

(USAF Photo)

A U.S. Air Force North American F-100F-10-NA Super Sabre aircraft (s/n 56-3882) of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phu Cat air base, South Vietnam. The 416th TFS operated from Phu Cat with F-100s from 15 April 1967 to 27 May 1969. The F-100Fs were used in the forward air controller role. The F-100F 56-3882 was finally retired to the MASDC on 7 September 1979 as FE0591.

(USAF Photo)

F-100C Super Sabre (Serial No. 54-2099), coded FW-099.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100C (SN 53-1725) takes off at Eglin Air Force Base.

(USAF Photo)

Five U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-97G Stratotankers of the 108th Air Refueling Squadron, 126th Air Refueling Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, based at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport, refuel five North American F-100C Super Sabres from the 121st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 113rd Fighter Group, of the District of Columbia Air Guard during operation "Ready Go", which was the first non-stop trans-Atlantic deployment of U.S. Air National Guard fighters to Europe, August 1964.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

North American F-100A-20-NA Super Sabre (USAF s/n 53-1688, civil registry N100X) of the Flight Test Research at Long Beach, California (USA), in April 1969. This aircraft is often reported as being F-100D 54-2155. However, this aircraft crashed in France on 27 March 1957 while in service with the 492nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing.

North American F-100 Super Sabres preserved in the USA
‍

Airworthy

‍
F-100F
56-3844 – Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts.
56-3916 – privately owned in Belgrade, Montana.

(Mikaela Perekas Photo)
56-3948 – privately owned in Fort Wayne, Indiana
56-3971 – privately owned in Belgrade, Montana.
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On display

YF-100A

(Alan Wilson Photo)
52-5755 – Century Circle, West Gate at Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, Edwards AFB, California.

F-100A
52-5759 – USAF Airman Heritage Museum, Lackland AFB, Texas.
52-5760 – Museum Desert Storate, Air Force Flight Test Center Museum, Edwards AFB, California.

(Cliff Photo)

(Carol M. Highsmith Photo)
52-5761 – New England Air Museum, Bradley International Airport, Connecticut.

(HolyJoe722 Photo)
52-5762 – Grand Haven Memorial Airpark, Grand Haven, Michigan. Painted as 52-2576.

(Alan Wilson Photo)
52-5770 – Travis AFB Heritage Center, Vacaville, California.
52-5773 – Commemorative Air Force Headquarters, Midland, Texas.

(USAF Photo)
52-5777 – Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Utah.
53-1532 – 150th Special Operations Wing, New Mexico Air National Guard area,Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
53-1533 – Baxter Memorial Park, Melrose, New Mexico.

(Greg Goebel Photos)
53-1553 – South Dakota Air and Space Museum, Rapid City, South Dakota.
53-1559 – 178th Fighter Wing / Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport,Springfield, Ohio.
53-1573 – Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.
53-1578 – 140th Fighter Wing / Colorado Air National Guard compound, Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado.
53-1600 – Tucumcari Historical Museum, Tucumcari, New Mexico.
53-1629 – Ebing Air National Guard Base – 188th Fighter Wing, Fort Smith, Arkansas.

(Michael Barera Photo)
53-1684 – Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, Tyler, Texas.
53-1688 – stored for Raytheon at the Mojave Airport, Mojave, California.

F-100C

(USAF Photo)

North American F-100D-50-NH Super Sabre (Serial No. 55-2879) likely taken in Vietnam. This aircraft was retired to the MASDC on 18 April 1979 as FE0509. It was later converted to an QF-100D target drone.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Nehrams2020 Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)
53-1709 (painted as F-100D 55–2879) coded FW-879 – Castle Air Museum (former Castle AFB), Atwater, California.

(Chris Light Photo)
53-1712 – Grissom Air Museum, Grissom ARB (former Grissom AFB), Peru, Indiana.
53-1716 – Luke Air Force Base Air Park, Luke AFB, Phoenix, Arizona.
54-1748 – Holt Heritage Airpark, Mountain Home AFB, Boise, Idaho.

(USAF Photo)

(Mike Freer Photo)
54-1752 – Dyess Linear Air Park, Dyess AFB, Texas. Painted as 54-1753)
54-1753 – Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham, Alabama.

(Eric Friedebach Photo)
54-1784 – Prairie Aviation Museum, Bloomington, Illinois. Formerly at OctaveChanute Aerospace Museum, former Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois.
54-1785 – Yankee Air Museum, Belleville, Michigan.

(kitmasterbloke Photos)

(Alan Wilson Photos)
54-1786 – March Field Air Museum, March ARB (former March AFB), Riverside, California.

(aeroprints Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)
54-1823 – Pima Air & Space Museum (adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB), Tucson, Arizona.
54-1986 (painted as F-100C 54-1954 as flown by former northwest Florida resident and Medal of Honor recipient, Colonel George Bud Day, USAF Ret Dec) –Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida.
54-1993 – Freedom Historical Air Park, McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas.
54-2005 – 185th Air Refueling Wing / Sioux City Air National Guard Base, SiouxGateway Airport, Sioux City, Iowa.
54-2091 – Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California.
54-2106 – Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin.

F-100D
54-2145 – Air Power Park near Langley AFB in Hampton, Virginia.

(SD-Blackstar Photo)
54-2151 – Sheppard AFB Air Park, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
54-2281 – Harry Bonsall Park, Glendale, Arizona.
54-2299 – Joe Davies Heritage Airpark, Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale,California.
55-2855 – Toledo ANGB, Toledo Express Airport, Toledo, Ohio.
55-2884 – 121st Air Refueling Wing / Rickenbacker ANGB, Columbus, Ohio.
55-3503 – Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Pueblo, Colorado.

(Eddie Maloney Photo)
55-3595 – Nellis AFB, Nevada.
55-3650 – 180th Fighter Wing / Toledo Air National Guard Base, Swanton,Ohio.
55-3667 – Missouri Air National Guard / Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster,Missouri.
55-3678 – Maxwell AFB Air Park, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

(NMUSAF Photo)
55-3754 – National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.
55-3805 – Connecticut ANGB – 103d Airlift Wing area, Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
56-2928 – Dobbins ARB, Marietta, Georgia.
56-2940 – Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
56-2967 – Warbird Park, Myrtle Beach International Airport (former Myrtle BeachAFB), South Carolina.
56-2993 – New York ANGB – 107th Airlift Wing area, Niagara Falls, New York.

(Eric Friedenbach Photo)

(ZLEA Photo)
56-2995 – Massachusetts ANGB – 102nd Intelligence Wing compound, Otis ANGB, Falmouth, Massachusetts.
56-3000 – Lackland AFB / Kelly Field Annex (former Kelly AFB) – 149th FighterWing area, San Antonio, Texas
56-3008 – Massachusetts ANGB – 104th Fighter Wing complex, Westfield,Massachusetts.
56-3020 – NAS JRB New Orleans, 159th Fighter Wing area, New Orleans, Louisiana.
56-3022 – Mansfield Lahm ANGB – 179th Airlift Wing area, Mansfield, Ohio.
56-3025 – Selfridge Military Air Museum, Mount Clemens, Michigan.
56-3046 – Randall County Veterans Park, Amarillo, Texas.
56-3055 – Tucson Air National Guard Base – 162nd Fighter Wing complex, Tucson,Arizona.
56-3081 – MAPS Air Museum, Akron/Canton Airport Ohio.
56-3141 – Planes of Fame, Chino, California.
56-3154 – Lone Star Flight Museum, Houston, Texas.
56-3187 – Sioux Falls ANGB – 114th FG, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
56-3208 – Fessenden, North Dakota.
56-3220 – Holloman AFB, New Mexico.
56-3288 – Aerospace Museum of California, Sacramento, California.
56-3299 – Buckley Space Force Base – 140th Fighter Wing area, Aurora, Colorado.
56-3320 – Terre Haute ANGB – 181st Fighter Wing area, Terre Haute, Indiana.

(Schierbecker Photo)
56-3417 – Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (former Lowry AFB), Denver, Colorado.
56-3426 – Des Moines ANGB – 132nd Fighter Wing area, Des Moines, Iowa.

(ZLEA Photo)
56-3434 – Previously at Arkansas National Guard HQ, Little Rock, Arkansas. Relocated to Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, Space Coast Regional Airport,Titusville, Florida in 2015 for restoration.

(Balon Greyjoy Photo)
56-3440 – Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Fairfax County, Virginia.

F-100F
56-3727 – Warrior Park, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
56-3730 – USAF Academy, Colorado.
56-3812 – Veterans Park, Duncan, Arizona.
56-3813 – Riverside Park, Independence, Kansas.
56-3814 – Bay Street Park, Texas City, Texas.
56-3819 – Saint Maries Municipal Airport, Saint Maries, Idaho.
56-3822 – Clay County Veterans Memorial Park, Lineville, Alabama.
56-3825 – Aurora Municipal Airport, Aurora, Nebraska.
56-3832 – Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon.

(Dsdugan Photo)

(NMUSAF Photo)
56-3837 – National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.
56-3855 – Las Cruces Municipal Airport, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
56-3897 – Atlantic City ANGB – 177th Fighter Wing complex, Atlantic City, NewJersey.
56-3894 – Selfridge Military Air Museum, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mount Clemens, Michigan.
56-3899 – Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum, Middle River, Maryland.
56-3904 – Aviation Cadet Museum, Silver Wings Field, Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
56-3905 – Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum, Middle River, Maryland.
56-3929 – Fayette Regional Air Center Airport, La Grange, Texas.
56-3982 – Hangar 25 Air Museum, Big Spring, Texas.
56-3990 – Commemorative Air Force – Highland Lakes Squadron, Burnet, Texas.
58-1232 – Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia (relocated from the now-closed Brooks AFB, TX).

North American F-100 Super Sabres preserved overseas

Denmark

F-100F
56-3927/GT-927 – Denmark Flying Museum, Stauning

France

F-100D
55-2736 – Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace, Paris / Le Bourget.
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F-100F

(Groumfy69 Photo)

USAF Thunderbirds colors at Musée du Château de Savigny-les-Beaunes, France
‍

Germany

F-100D
54-2136 French Air Force – Schwäbisches Bauern Technical Museum,Eschach-Seifertshofen.
54-2185 French Air Force – Schwäbisches Bauern Technical Museum,Eschach-Seifertshofen.

F-100F
56-3944 United States Air Force – Flugausstellung Leo Junior, Hermeskeil.

Italy

F-100D
54-2290 – Aviano Air Base gate guardian; marked as 56-2927 "Thor'sHammer" used in Vietnam, incorrect colours.

Netherlands

F-100D

(USAF Photos)
54-2265 – (painted as 54–1871, 32nd FIS) – On display at the Nationaal Militair Museum, Soesterberg. After service with the French Air Force it was returned toUSAF, repainted in USAF markings and in 1976 to gate guardian at RAFWethersfield, England. It was then removed 20 January 1988 and reported at thetime to be destined for AMARC, to be held in storage on behalf of USAFM (nowNMUSAF).

Taiwan

F-100A
53-1550 – Taiwan International (Chiang Kai Shek).
53-1571 – Tamkang University.
53-1577 – National Tainan Industrial Vocational High School Aircraft Maintenance Department.
53-1589 – National Taiwan University.

(玄史生 Photos)

53-1655 - Hsinchu AFB gate guard.
53-1696 – Chung Cheng Armed Forces Preparatory School, CCAFPS.

Turkey

(Darwiniek Photo)

F-100C "3-089" at Istanbul Aviation Museum, Turkey.

F-100C
54-2009/3-089 – Istanbul Aviation Museum, Istanbul.

F-100D
54-2245/E-245 – Istanbul Aviation Museum, Istanbul.

F-100F
56-3788/8-788 – Istanbul Aviation Museum, Istanbul.

United Kingdom

‍
F-100D
54-2157 – North East Aircraft Museum, Sunderland.
54-2165 – Imperial War Museum, Duxford.
54-2174 – Midland Air Museum, Coventry.
54-2196 – Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, Bungay.
54-2223 – Newark Air Museum, Newark-on-Trent.

(USAF Photo)

54-2269 - North American F-100D-15-NA Super Sabre (s/n 54-2269), coded FW-319, displayed on a permanent stand at RAF Lakenheath (UK) just in side the Brandon Gate. This aircraft was originally delivered to the French air force. On return it was moved to the "Wings of Liberty Memorial Park" at RAF Lakenheath. Firstly it was painted as 55-4048, latterly as 56-3319. The original F-100D-90-NA 56-3319 (492nd TFS, 48th TFW) crashed 50 km south-south-east of Wheelus air base, Libya, on 18 March 1969. The pilot ejected safely.
54-2613 – Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum, Dumfries.

‍
F-100F
56-3938 French Air Force – Lashenden Air Warfare Museum, Ashford where anaircraft accident at the museum damaged 938 and the remains were shipped to theNational Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton,Ohio, United States.

‍North American F-100 Super Sabre