North American F-100 Super Sabre

"Super Sabre" redirects here. For the comic book character, see Super Sabre (comics).
F-100 Super Sabre
Four jet aircraft flying in formation, with the furthest to camera at top left, and the closest at bottom right
A four-ship formation of F-100C-25-NA Super Sabres
Role Fighter, fighter-bomber, attack aircraft, wild weasel
Manufacturer North American Aviation
First flight 25 May 1953
Introduction 27 September 1954
Retired 1979, United States Air National Guard; 1988, Republic of China Air Force[1]
Status Phased out of service
Primary users United States Air Force
Turkish Air Force
Republic of China Air Force
French Air Force
Produced 1953–1959
Number built 2,294
Unit cost
US$697,029 (F-100D) ($6.14 million in today's dollars)[2]
Developed from North American F-86 Sabre
Developed into North American F-107
Jet aircraft in flight against blue sky; while banking away from camera, it reveals a smooth underside. A long and thin red pitot tube protrudes from the aircraft's nose
The underside of the first of two YF-100A prototypes, s/n 52-5754.

The North American F-100 Super Sabre was an American supersonic jet fighter aircraft that served with the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1954 to 1971 and with the Air National Guard (ANG) until 1979. The first of the Century Series of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. The F-100 was designed by North American Aviation as a higher performance follow-on to the F-86 Sabre air superiority fighter.[3]

Adapted as a fighter bomber, the F-100 was supplanted by the Mach two class F-105 Thunderchief for strike missions over North Vietnam. The F-100 flew extensively over South Vietnam as the air force's primary close air support jet until being replaced by the more efficient subsonic LTV A-7 Corsair II.[4] The F-100 also served in other NATO air forces and with other U.S. allies. In its later life, it was often referred to as the Hun, a shortened version of "one hundred".[5]

Design and development

The cockpit of an F-100D

In January 1951, North American Aviation delivered an unsolicited proposal for a supersonic day fighter to the United States Air Force. Named Sabre 45 because of its 45° wing sweep, it represented an evolution of the F-86 Sabre. The mockup was inspected on 7 July 1951, and after over a hundred modifications, the new aircraft was accepted as the F-100 on 30 November 1951. Extensive use of titanium throughout the aircraft was notable.[6] On 3 January 1952, the USAF ordered two prototypes followed by 23 F-100As in February and an additional 250 F-100As in August.

The YF-100A first flew on 25 May 1953, seven months ahead of schedule. It reached Mach 1.05 in spite of being fitted with a de-rated XJ57-P-7 engine. The second prototype flew on 14 October 1953, followed by the first production F-100A on 9 October 1953. The USAF operational evaluation from November 1953 to December 1955, found the new fighter to have superior performance but declared it not ready for wide-scale deployment due to various deficiencies in the design. These findings were subsequently confirmed during "Project Hot Rod" operational suitability tests. Particularly troubling was the yaw instability in certain regimes of flight which produced inertia coupling. The aircraft could develop a sudden yaw and roll which would happen too fast for the pilot to correct and would quickly over-stress the aircraft structure to disintegration. It was under these conditions that North American's chief test pilot, George Welch, was killed while dive testing an early-production F-100A (s/n 52-5764) on 12 October 1954. Another control problem stemmed from handling characteristics of the swept wing at high angles of attack. As the aircraft approached stall speeds, loss of lift on the tips of the wings caused a violent pitch-up. This particular phenomenon (which could easily be fatal at low altitude where there was insufficient time to recover) became known as the "Sabre dance".

Nevertheless, delays in the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak program pushed the Tactical Air Command to order the raw F-100A into service. Tactical Air Command also requested that future F-100s be fighter-bombers, with the capability of delivering nuclear bombs.

The North American F-107 was a follow-on Mach 2 development of the F-100 with the air intake moved above and behind the cockpit. It was not produced in quantity in favor of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief.

Operational history

The F-100A officially entered USAF service on 27 September 1954, with the 479th Fighter Wing at George AFB, California. By 10 November 1954, the F-100As suffered six major accidents[7] due to flight instability, structural failures, and hydraulic system failures, prompting the air force to ground the entire fleet until February 1955. The 479th finally became operational in September 1955. Due to ongoing problems, the air force began phasing out the F-100A in 1958, with the last aircraft leaving active duty in 1961. By that time, 47 aircraft had been lost in major accidents.[2] Escalating tension due to construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961 forced the USAF to recall the F-100As into active service in early 1962. The aircraft was finally retired in 1970.

The TAC request for a fighter-bomber was addressed with the F-100C which flew in March 1954 and entered service on 14 July 1955, with the 450th Fighter Wing, Foster AFB, Texas. Operational testing in 1955 revealed that the F-100C was at best an interim solution, sharing all the flaws of the F-100A. The uprated J57-P-21 engine boosted performance but continued to suffer from compressor stalls. However, the F-100C was considered an excellent platform for nuclear toss bombing because of its high top speed. The inertia coupling problem was reasonably addressed with the installation of a yaw damper in the 146th F-100C, later retrofitted to earlier aircraft. A pitch damper was added starting with the 301st F-100C, at a cost of US$10,000 per aircraft.[2]

An F-100D showing its elliptic air intake

The addition of "wet" hardpoints meant the F-100C could carry a pair of 275 U.S. gal (1,040 l) and a pair of 200 U.S. gal (770 l) drop tanks. However, the combination caused a loss of directional stability at high speeds and the four tanks were soon replaced by a pair of 450 U.S. gal (1,730 l) drop tanks. The 450s proved scarce and expensive and were often replaced by smaller 335 US gal (1,290 l) tanks. Most troubling to TAC was the fact that, as of 1965, only 125 F-100Cs were capable of utilizing all non-nuclear weapons in the air force inventory, particularly cluster bombs and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.[2] By the time the F-100C was phased out in June 1970, 85 had been lost in major accidents.

The definitive F-100D aimed to address the offensive shortcomings of the F-100C by being primarily a ground attack aircraft with secondary fighter capabilities. To this effect, the aircraft was fitted with autopilot, upgraded avionics, and, starting with the 184th production aircraft, AIM-9 Sidewinder capability. In 1959, 65 aircraft were modified to also fire the AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-ground missile. To further address the dangerous flight characteristics, the wing span was extended by 26 in (66 cm) and the vertical tail area was increased by 27%.

F-100D of the 417th TFS, 50th TFW post January 1965 ("buzz number" i.e., FW-238 painted over)

The first F-100D (54–2121) flew on 24 January 1956, piloted by Daniel Darnell. It entered service on 29 September 1956 with the 405th Fighter Wing at Langley AFB. The aircraft suffered from reliability problems with the constant speed drive which provides constant-frequency current to the electrical systems. In fact, the drive was so unreliable that the USAF required it to have its own oil system to minimize damage in case of failure. Landing gear and brake parachute malfunctions claimed a number of aircraft, and the refueling probes had a tendency to break away during high speed maneuvers. Numerous post-production fixes created such a diversity of capabilities between individual aircraft that, by 1965, around 700 F-100Ds underwent High Wire modifications to standardize the weapon systems. High Wire modifications took 60 days per aircraft at a cost for the entire project of US $150 million. In 1966, the Combat Skyspot program fitted some F-100Ds with an X band radar transmitter to allow for ground-directed bombing in inclement weather or at night.

In 1961, at England AFB, Louisiana, (401st Tactical Wing), there were four fighter-bomber squadrons. These were the 612th, 613th, 614th and the 615th (Fighting Tigers). During the Berlin Crisis (approximately September 1961) the 614th was deployed to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to support the West Germans. At the initial briefing, the 614th personnel were informed that, due to the close proximity of the USSR, if an ICBM were to be launched, they would have only 30 minutes to launch the 614th's aircraft and retire to the nearest German bunker.

F-100D in trial of zero-length-launch system. Pilot is Maj R. Titus. (USAF photo)

In 1967, the USAF began a structural reinforcement program to extend the aircraft's service life from the designed 3,000 flying hours to 7,000. The USAF alone lost 500 F-100Ds, predominantly in accidents. After one aircraft suffered wing failure, particular attention was paid to lining the wings with external bracing strips. During the Vietnam War, combat losses constituted as many as 50 aircraft per year. On 7 June 1957, an F-100D fitted with an Astrodyne booster rocket making 150,000 lbf (667.2 kN) of thrust successfully performed a zero length launch (ZeLL).[8] This was accomplished with the addition of a large canister to the underside of the aircraft. This canister contained a black powder compound and was ignited electro-mechanically, driving the jet engine to minimal ignition point.[9] The capability was incorporated into late-production aircraft. After a major accident, the USAF Thunderbirds reverted from F-105 Thunderchiefs to the F-100D which they operated from 1964 until it was replaced by the F-4 Phantom II in 1968.[10]

A USAF KB-50D of the Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin AFB Florida, carrying out the first triple-point refuelling operation with three F-100Cs in 1956

The F-100 was the subject of many modification programs over the course of its service. Many of these were improvements to electronics, structural strengthening, and projects to improve ease of maintenance. One of these was the replacement of the original afterburners of the J-57 engines with the more advanced afterburners from retired Convair F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors. This modification changed the appearance of the aft end of the F-100, doing away with the original "petal-style" exhaust. The afterburner modification started in the 1970s and solved maintenance problems with the old type as well as operational problems, including compressor stall issues.

The F-100F two-seat trainer entered service in 1958. It received many of the same weapons and airframe upgrades as the F-100D, including the new afterburners. By 1970, 74 F-100Fs were lost in major accidents.

By 1972, the F-100 was mostly phased out of USAF active service and turned over to tactical fighter groups and squadrons in the ANG. In Air National Guard units, the F-100 was eventually replaced by the F-4 Phantom II, LTV A-7 Corsair II, and A-10 Thunderbolt II, with the last F-100 retiring in 1979, with the introduction of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In foreign service, the Royal Danish Air Force and Turkish Air Force F-100s soldiered on until 1982.

Over the lifetime of its USAF service, a total of 889 F-100 aircraft were destroyed in accidents, involving the deaths of 324 pilots.[11] The deadliest year for F-100 accidents was 1958, with 116 aircraft destroyed, and 47 pilots killed.[11]

After Super Sabres were withdrawn from service, a large number were converted into remote-controlled drones (QF-100) under the USAF Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) program for use as targets for various anti-aircraft weapons, including missile-carrying fighters and fighter-interceptors, with FSAT operations being conducted primarily at Tyndall AFB, Florida. A few F-100s also found their way into civilian hands, primarily with defense contractors supporting USAF and NASA flight test activities at Edwards AFB, California.

Project Slick Chick

An RF-100A in flight, inexplicably marked with the AF serial number of a Northrop F-89 Scorpion (53-2600)
North American RF-100A-10-NA Super Sabre 53-1551. Used by Detachment 1 of 7407th Support Sqn of 7499th Support Group. Crashed near Neidenbach, West Germany Oct 1, 1956. Pilot ejected safely.

North American received a contract to modify six F-100As to RF-100As carrying five cameras, three Fairchild K-17 cameras (see Fairchild K-20 camera) in a trimetrogon mounting for photo-mapping and two Fairchild K-38 cameras in a split vertical mounting with the cameras mounted horizontally, shooting via a mirror angled at 45° to reduce the effects of airframe vibrations. All gun armament was removed and the cameras installed in the gun and ammunition bays covered by a bulged fairing under the forward fuselage.[12]

The selected pilots trained on the F-100A at Edwards Air Force Base and George Air Force Base in California and then at Palmdale Air Force Base for training with the actual RF-100As they would be deployed with. Flight tests revealed that the RF-100A in its intended operational fit of four external tanks was lacking in directional and longitudinal stability, requiring careful handling and close attention to speed limitations for the drop tanks.

Once pilot training was completed in April 1955, three aircraft were deployed to Bitburg Air Base in Germany, flying to Brookley AFB in Mobile, Alabama, cocooned, loaded on an aircraft carrier and delivered to Short Brothers at Sydenham, Belfast, for re-assembly and preparation for flight. At Bitburg they were allocated to Detachment 1 of the 7407th Support Squadron, and commenced operations flying over Eastern Bloc countries at high altitude (over 50,000 ft) to acquire intelligence on military targets. Many attempts were made to intercept these aircraft to no avail, with some photos of fighter airfields clearly showing aircraft climbing for attempted intercepts. The European detachment probably only carried out six missions between mid-1955 and mid-1956 when the Lockheed U-2 took over as the deep penetration aerial reconnaissance asset.

Three RF-100As were also deployed to the 6021st Reconnaissance Squadron at Yokota Air Base in Japan, but details of operations there are not available. Two RF-100A aircraft were lost in accidents, one due to probable overspeeding which caused the separation of one of the drop tanks and resulted in complete loss of control, and the other due to an engine flame-out. In mid-1958, all four remaining RF-100As were returned to the US and later supplied to the Republic of China Air Force in Taiwan.

Project High Wire

F-100D-85-NA, AF Ser. No. 56-3417, at Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (former Lowry AFB), Denver, Colorado, painted in its original 356th TFS, 354th TFW colors
Main article: Project High Wire

"High Wire" was a modernization program for selected F-100Cs, Ds and Fs. It comprised two modifications: an electrical rewiring upgrade, and a heavy maintenance and IRAN (inspect and repair as necessary) upgrade. Rewiring upgrade operations consisted of replacing old wiring and harnesses with improved maintainable designs. Heavy maintenance and IRAN included new kits, modifications, standardized configurations, repairs, replacements and complete refurbishment.

This project required all new manuals and incremented (i.e. -85 to -86) block numbers. All later production models, especially the F models, included earlier High Wire modifications. New manuals included colored illustrations and had the Roman numeral (I) added after the aircraft number (i.e. T.O. 1F-100D(I)-1S-120, 12 January 1970).[13][14]

Total production 2,294

Vietnam War

F-100Ds of the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, in late June or early July 1965
A USAF F-100D firing rockets in South Vietnam, 1967
A USAF F-100F of the 352d TFS at Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam, 1971

On 16 April 1961, six Super Sabres were deployed from Clark Air Base in the Philippines to Don Muang Airfield in Thailand for air defense purposes; the first F-100s to enter combat in Southeast Asia.[15] From that date until their redeployment in 1971, the F-100s were the longest serving U.S. jet fighter-bomber to fight in the Vietnam War. Serving as MiG combat air patrol escorts for F-105 Thunderchiefs, Misty FACs, and wild weasels over North Vietnam, and then relegated to close air support and ground attacks within South Vietnam.

On 18 August 1964, the first F-100D shot down by ground fire, piloted by 1st Lt Colin A. Clarke, of the 428th TFS; Clarke ejected and survived. On 4 April 1965, as escorts protecting F-105s attacking the Thanh Hoa Bridge, F-100 Super Sabres fought the USAF's first air-to-air jet combat duel in the Vietnam War, in which an F-100 piloted by Captain Donald W. Kilgus shot down a North Vietnamese Air Force MiG-17, using cannon fire, while another fired Sidewinder missiles.[16] The surviving North Vietnamese pilot confirmed three of the MiG-17s had been shot down.[17] Although recorded by the U.S. Air Force as a probable kill, this represented the first aerial victory by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. However, the small force of four MiG-17s had penetrated the escorting F-100s to claim two F-105s. The F-100 was soon replaced by the F-4C for MiG CAP which pilots noted suffered for lacking built-in guns for dogfights.[18]

The Vietnam War was not known for utilizing activated Army National Guard, Air National Guard or other U.S. Reserve units; but rather, had a reputation for conscription during the course of the war. During a confirmation hearing before Congress in 1973, USAF general, George S. Brown, who had commanded the 7th Air Force during the war, stated that five of the best Super Sabre squadrons in Vietnam were from the ANG.[19] This included the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron (120 TFS) of the Colorado Air National Guard, the 136 TFS of the New York Air National Guard TFS, the 174 TFS of the Iowa Air National Guard and the 188 TFS of the New Mexico Air National Guard. The fifth unit was a regular AF squadron manned by mostly air national guardsmen.

The Air National Guard F-100 squadrons increased the regular USAF by nearly 100 Super Sabres in theater, averaging, for the Colorado ANG F-100s, 24 missions a day, delivering ordnance and munitions with a 99.5% reliability rate.[20] From May 1968 to April 1969, the ANG Super Sabres flew more than 38,000 combat hours and more than 24,000 sorties. Between them, at the cost of seven F-100 Air Guard pilots killed (plus one staff officer) and the loss of 14 Super Sabres to enemy action, the squadrons expended over four million rounds of 20mm shells, 30 million pounds of bombs and over 10 million pounds of napalm against their enemy.[21]

The Hun was also deployed as a two-seat F-100F model which saw service as a "fast FAC" or Misty FAC (forward air controller) in North Vietnam and Laos, spotting targets for other fighter-bomber aircraft, performing road reconnaissance, and conducting SAR (search and rescue) missions as part of the top-secret project, Commando Sabre, based out of Phu Cat and Tuy Hoa air bases. It was also the first Wild Weasel SEAD (air defense suppression) aircraft whose specially trained crews were tasked with locating and destroying enemy air defenses. Four F-100F Wild Weasel Is were fitted with an APR-25 vector radar homing and warning (RHAW) receiver, IR-133 panoramic receivers with greater detection range, and KA-60 panoramic cameras. The APR-25 could detect early-warning radars and emissions from SA-2 Guideline tracking and guidance systems. These aircraft deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in November 1965, began flying combat missions with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing in December. They were joined by three more aircraft in February 1966. All Wild Weasel F-100Fs were eventually modified to fire the AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile.

By the war's end, 242 F-100 Super Sabres had been lost in Vietnam, as the F-100 was progressively replaced by the F-4 Phantom II and the F-105 Thunderchief.[22] The Hun had logged 360,283 combat sorties during the war and its wartime operations came to end on 31 July 1971.[23] The four fighter wings with F-100s flew more combat sorties in Vietnam than over 15,000 P-51 Mustangs flew during World War II. After 1965, they did not fly into North Vietnam and mainly performed close air support missions. Despite the April 1965 dogfight, the air force classified the engagement as resulting in a "probable" kill, and no F-100 was ever officially credited with any aerial victories. No F-100 in Vietnam was lost to enemy fighters, but 186 were shot down by anti-aircraft fire, seven were destroyed from Vietcong attacks on airbases, and 45 crashed in operational incidents.[24]

Algerian war

French Air Force Super Sabres might have flown combat missions, with strikes flown from bases within France against targets in Algeria. The planes were based at Reims, refuelling at Istres on the return flight from attacking targets in Algeria. The F-100 was the main fighter-bomber in the French Air Force during the 1960s, until it was replaced by the Jaguar.

Cyprus crisis

Turkish Air Force F-100 units were used during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Together with F-104G Starfighters, they provided close air support to Turkish ground troops and bombed targets around Nicosia.

Achievements

An F-100D of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Source: Knaack[2]

Costs

The costs are in contemporary United States dollars and have not been adjusted for inflation.[2]

F-100AF-100CF-100DF-100F
R&D23.2 million for the program or 10,134 prorated per aircraft
Airframe748,259439,323448,216577,023
Engine217,390178,554162,995143,527
Electronics8,54912,05010,90413,667
Armament19,90521,12566,23066,332
Ordnance20,80712,1258,6843,885
Flyaway cost1,014,910663,181697,029804,445
Additional modification costs224,048110,559105,604
Cost per flying hour583583
Maintenance cost per flying hour215249249249

Variants

Prototype YF-100A (serial number: 52-5754)
F-100As different tail fins, 1955
F-100D-50-NH
A QF-100D pilotless drone near Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, in 1986.
YF-100A
Prototype, model NA-180 two built, s/n 52-5754 and 5755.[25]
YQF-100
Nine test unmanned drone version: two D-models, one YQF-100F F-model,see DF-100F, and six other test versions.[26]
F-100A
Single-seat day fighter; 203 built, model NA-192.[25]
RF-100A ("Slick Chick")
Six F-100A aircraft modified for photo reconnaissance in 1954. Unarmed, with camera installations in lower fuselage bay. Used for overflights of Soviet Bloc countries in Europe and the Far-East. Retired from USAF service in 1958, the surviving four aircraft were transferred to the Republic of China Air Force and retired in 1960.
F-100B
See North American F-107
F-100BI
Proposed interceptor version of F-100B, did not advance beyond mock-up.
F-100C
Seventy Model NA-214 and 381 Model NA-217.[25] Additional fuel tanks in the wings, fighter-bomber capability, probe-and-drogue refueling capability, uprated J57-P-21 engine on late production aircraft. First flight: March 1954; 476 built.
TF-100C
One F-100C converted into a two-seat training aircraft.
F-100D
Single-seat fighter-bomber, more advanced avionics, larger wing and tail fin, landing flaps. First flight: 24 January 1956; 1,274 built.
F-100F
Two-seat training version, armament decreased from four to two cannon. First flight: 7 March 1957; 339 built.
DF-100F
This designation was given to one F-100F that was used as drone director.[26]
NF-100F
Three F-100Fs used for test purposes, the prefix "N" indicates that modifications prevented return to regular operational service.
TF-100F
Specific Danish designation given to 14 F-100Fs exported to Denmark in 1974, in order to distinguish these from the 10 F-100Fs delivered 1959–1961.
QF-100
Another 209 D and F models were ordered and converted to unmanned radio-controlled FSAT (full scale aerial target)[27] drone and drone directors for testing and destruction by modern air-to-air missiles used by current U.S. Air Force fighter jets.[26]
F-100J
Unbuilt all-weather export version for Japan
F-100K
Unbuilt design study for a two-seat F-100F powered by a J57-P-55 engine
F-100L
Unbuilt design study for a single-seat F-100D powered by a J57-P-55 engine
F-100N
Unbuilt version with simplified avionics for NATO customers
F-100S
Proposed French-built F-100F with Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engine

Operators

 Republic of China (Taiwan)
It was the only allied air force to operate the F-100A model. The first F-100 was delivered in October 1958. It was followed by 15 F-100As in 1959, and by 65 more F-100As in 1960. In 1961, four unarmed RF-100As were delivered.[28] Additionally, 38 ex-USAF/Air National Guard F-100As were delivered later, to bring the total strength to 118 F-100As and four RF-100As. F-100As were retrofitted with the F-100D vertical tail with its AN/APS-54 tail-warning radar and equipped to launch Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Several were lost in intelligence missions over the People's Republic of China.
Operational Danish AF F-100D Super Sabre in 1965
 Denmark
Flyvevåbnet operated a total of 72 aircraft. 48 F-100Ds and 10 Fs were delivered to Denmark from 1959 to 1961 as MDAP equipment. The F-100 replaced the F-84G Thunderjet as a strike fighter in three squadrons; 725, 727 and 730. The F-100s of Eskadrille 725 were replaced by Saab F-35 Draken in 1970 and in 1974 14 two-seated ex-USAF TF-100F were bought. The last Danish F-100s were retired from service in 1982, replaced by F-16s. The surviving MDAP F-100s were transferred to Turkey (21 F-100Ds and two F-100Fs), while six TF-100Fs were sold for target towing.[29][30]
 France
The Armee de l'Air was the first Western-aligned air force to receive the F-100 Super Sabre. The first aircraft arrived in France on 1 May 1958. A total of 100 aircraft (85 F-100Ds and 15 F-100Fs) were supplied to France, and assigned to the NATO 4th Allied Tactical Air Force. They were stationed at German-French bases. French F-100s were used on combat missions flying from bases in France against targets in Algeria. In 1967, France left NATO, and German-based F-100s were transferred to France, using bases vacated by the USAF. The last unit on F100D/F was the Escadron 4/11 Jura, based at Djibouti, which kept the Super Sabre until 1978.
 Turkey
The Turk Hava Kuvvetleri received 206 F-100C, D and F Super Sabres. Most came from USAF stocks, and 21 F-100Ds and two F-100Fs were supplied by Denmark. Turkish F-100s saw extensive action during the 1974 military operation against Cyprus.
 United States
List of F-100 units of the United States Air Force

Survivors

Denmark

Retired RDAF F-100F Super Sabre
F-100F

France

F-100D

Germany

F-100D
F-100F

Netherlands

F-100D

Taiwan

F-100A

Turkey

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

United Kingdom

F-100D
F-100F

United States

A CH-54 Tarhe lifting an F-100A to Hill Air Force Base, Utah for static display, 1979
F-100D delivered to Carolinas Aviation Museum
Hun at Castle Air Museum, California
Airworthy
F-100D
F-100F
On display
YF-100A
F-100A
F-100C
F-100D
F-100F

Specifications (F-100D)

D-model nose shot, oval intake
D-model cockpit, instrument panel

Data from Quest for Performance[151]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Historical Listings: China, Nationalist (Taiwan) (NCH)."] World Air Forces. Retrieved: 19 May 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
  3. ↑ "F-100: Designed originally to destroy enemy aircraft in aerial combat." FAS.org. Retrieved: 12 September 2012.
  4. ↑ Global Security A-7: "The aging low-payload F-100 was the Air Force's primary air-to-ground CAS airplane at the time."
  5. ↑ "F-100 History." Boeing Co. Retrieved: 12 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "Production Fighter Tops Speed of Sound." Popular Mechanics, December 1953, p. 81.
  7. ↑ including the death of British Air Commodore Geoffrey D. Stephenson while on an exchange tour
  8. ↑ http://www.thexhunters.com/xpeditions/f-100d_aircraft.html
  9. ↑ "F-100 video." youtube.com. Retrieved: 4 November 2012.
  10. ↑ Martin Caidin's book Thunderbirds was written while the team flew F-100s, he was the only journalist to ever fly with them.
  11. 1 2 "Official USAF F-100 accident rate table (PDF)." afsc.af.mil. Retrieved: 12 April 2011.
  12. ↑ Gordon, Doug. “Through the Curtain”. Flypast, December 2009. Key Publishing. Stamford. ISSN 0262-6950.
  13. ↑ USAF F-100 Super Sabre – Flight Manual – Technical Order: 1F-100D(I)-1S-120; 12 January 1970.
  14. ↑ USAF F-100 Super Sabre – Flight Manual – Technical Order: 1F-100C(I)-1S-65; 2 February 1971.
  15. ↑ Anderton 1987, p. 57.
  16. ↑ Davies and Menard 2011, cover image of F-100 attacking MiG-17, p. 21: photo of Kilgus's F-100.
  17. ↑ Toperczer, Dr. Istvan. Air War Over North Viet Nam: The Vietnamese People's Air Force 1949–1977. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1998. ISBN 0-89747-390-6.
  18. ↑ Anderton 1987, p. 71.
  19. ↑ Anderton 1987, p. 136.
  20. ↑ Anderton 1987, p. 144.
  21. ↑ Anderton 1987, pp. 136, 145.
  22. ↑ Hobson 2001, p. 269.
  23. ↑ Thompson 2008, pp. 73–74.
  24. ↑ F-100 Super Sabre Flew Most Missions in Vietnam - Defensemedianetwork.com, 12 September 2013
  25. 1 2 3 Thompson 1999, p. 64.
  26. 1 2 3 Baugher, Joe. "QF-100 Drone." USAAC/USAAF/USAF Fighters, 30 January 2010. Retrieved: 12 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "FSAT." HaseGray. Retrieved: 12 April 2011.
  28. ↑ Baugher, Joe. "RF-100As in ROC-TW." USAAC/USAAF/USAF Fighters, 27 November 1999. Retrieved: 12 April 2011.
  29. ↑ page 46 & 54 in Jan Jørgensen: "Flyvevåbnet - Scenes from Danish military aviation history", 2010, Nordic Airpower, ISBN 978-87-993688-0-8 (English)
  30. ↑ Schrøder, Hans (1991). "Royal Danish Airforce". Ed. Kay S. Nielsen. Tøjhusmuseet, 1991, p. 1–64. ISBN 87-89022-24-6.
  31. ↑ "F-100 Super Sabre/56-3927/GT-927." Virtual Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 4 September 2009.
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