North American F-100 Super Sabre
Technical data for C & D variants
Photo from USAF Museum F-100c
The North American F-100 Super Sabre was developed to supplement and replace the North American's F-86 Sabre in the air superiority role. The Super Sabre was the first american production fighter to exceed the speed of sound in level flight. It was also the first plane to have structure incorporating heat-resistant titanium alloys. The YF-100A made its maiden flight on May 25, 1953 at Edwards AFB. The Super Sabres arrived a little late for the Korean conflict and thus made their combat debut in Vietnam. By this time they were being used in the fighter bomber role to knock out enemy bridges, road junctions, troop concentrations, and other targets. The Super Sabres also performed reconnaissance and one of the most feared aerial missions, the SEAD (Supression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission. The F-100c appeared in 1955 with an in-flight refueling capability, provision for bombs and drop tanks, and an improved electronic bombing system. The F-100d which appeared in 1956 was the most numerous (1 274 built) and most advanced produciton version. The D incorporated the first supersonic autopilot system and an advanced low-level bombing system. Production of the F-100 ceased in 1959.
Specifications
(Data for F-100c)
Origin: North American Aviation
Type: Air Superiority later on Fighter Bomber
Crew:
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet 7 200 kg thrust with afterburner
Dimensions
Span: 38 ft. 10 in.
Height: 15 ft. 6 in.
Length: 53 ft. 11 in. (with pitot boom extended); 47 ft. (with boom folded)
Weight: 16 447 kg max.
Performance
Maximum Speed: 1 440 kph
Cruising Speed: 960 kph
Climb Rate: --
Range: 2 160 km
Ceiling: 15 300 m
Armament
4x M39 20mm Canon & 42x 2.75 inch rocket or 2 250 kg of bombs
First Flight: May 25, 1953
User(s): RETIRED
Total Production (All Versions): 2 294
Specifications
(Data for F-100d)
Origin: North American Aviation
Type: Air Superiority later on Fighter Bomber
Crew:
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet 7 200 kg thrust with afterburner
Dimensions
Span: 38 ft. 10 in.
Height: 16 ft. 2 in.
Length: 54 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 17 121 kg loaded
Performance
Maximum Speed: 1 483 kph
Cruising Speed: 896 kph
Climb Rate: --
Range: 3 152 km
Ceiling: 16 500 m
Armament
4x M39 20mm Canon & 2x AGM-83A Bulldog missile & 4x GAR-8 sidewinder missile, rockets, special
stores, and/or a max of 3 168 kg of bombs.
First Flight: January 24, 1956
User(s): RETIRED
Total Production (All Versions): 2 294
Photo from USAF Museum F-100d
The aircraft above was used by the USAF demonstration team, the "Thunderbirds", from 1964 to 1968. You can see it at the USAF Museum.
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