North American F-100A Super Sabre (NA-192)
USAF single-engine single-seat swept-wing supersonic jet day-fighter


The F-100A Super Sabre 5,6


The North American F-100A Super Sabre was the initial production version. The F-100A was a day-fighter powered by a 14,800-lb-thrust Pratt & Whitney J57-P-7/P-39 turbojet engine with afterburner. Production of the F-100A took place at North American’s Los Angeles plant from the mid-1953 through 1955.

After two years of project design and development, the Sabre 45 was included in USAF procurement planning with an order for two YF-100 prototypes (later re-designated YF-100A) and F-100A production examples, placed on 1 November 1951. Features of the design, in addition to the low-mounted 45° wing, were the slab tailplane located at the base of the rear fuselage, and the oval lip intake for the J57 turbojet. The first YF-100A (52-5754) with an XJ57-P-7 engine, was flown by George Welch at Edwards Air Force Base on 25 May 1953, followed by the second YF-100A (52-5755) on 14 October 1953.

George Welch flew the first production F-100A (52-5756) on 29 October 29 1853, on the same day that the first YF-100A set a World Speed Record of 755.149 mph ( km/h) in the last such record established at low altitude. Initial production aircraft differed from the prototypes in having a shorter fin and rudder of increased chord. The 9,700 lb s.t. J57-P-7 engine was used and armament comprised for Pontiac M-39E 20-mm cannon, and a wide variety of underwing stores on six pick-up points. After 70 aircraft had been delivered, the shape of the vertical tail surfaces was again changed to overcome a control difficulty in the roll. Resembling the YF-100A design, the new fin and rudder was made a retrospective modification to all F-100A’s. The first three production aircraft reached George AFB to begin the re-equipment of the 479th Fighter Day Wing, TAC, before the end of November 1953, and this Wing became operational with the unmodified aircraft on 29 September 1954. Deliveries of the modified F-100A’s began from the Los Angeles factory in the spring of 1954. With the 104th production aircraft (the first F-100A-20-NA) changes were made to the cockpit equipment, and with the 168th aircraft, the J57-P-39 replaced the J57-P-7. A total of 203 F-100A’s were built, ending in March 1954. Some were later converted to RF-100A’s, with cameras in the front fuselage which was deepened, ahead of the wing leading-edge.

Archive Photos 7,8,9


North American F-100A Super Sabre USAF and NACA/NASA Archive Photos

North American F-100A-5-NA Super Sabre (NA-192, AF 52-5777, c/n 192-22) on display (11/26/2001) at the Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill AFB, Roy, Utah (Photos by John Shupek)

Overview


The North American F-100 Super Sabre was a 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 collection of USAF jet fighters, it was the first USAF fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. The North American F-100 Super Sabre was originally designed by North American Aviation as a higher performance follow-on to the North American F-86 Sabre air superiority fighter.

Adapted as a fighter bomber, the North American F-100 Super Sabre would be supplanted by the Mach 2 class Republic F-105 Thunderchief for strike missions over North Vietnam. The North American F-100 Super Sabre flew extensively over South Vietnam as the Air Force’s primary close air support jet until replaced by the more efficient subsonic LTV A-7 Corsair II. The North American F-100 Super Sabre 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.

Design and Development


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 North American F-86 Sabre. The mock-up was inspected 7 July 1951 and after over a hundred modifications, the new aircraft was accepted as the North American F-100 Super Sabre on 30 November 1951. Extensive use of titanium throughout the aircraft was notable. On 3 January 1952, the USAF ordered two prototypes followed by twenty-three North American F-100A Super Sabres in February and an additional 250 North American F-100A Super Sabres in August.

The North American YF-100A Super Sabre 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 North American F-100A Super Sabre 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 North American F-100A Super Sabre 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 North American F-100A Super Sabre into service. TAC also requested that future North American F-100 Super Sabres should be fighter-bombers, with the capability of delivering nuclear bombs.

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

Operational History


The North American F-100 Super SabreA officially entered USAF service on 27 September 1954 with 479th Fighter Wing at George AFB, CA. By 10 November 1954, the North American F-100A Super Sabre suffered six major accidents 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 North American F-100A Super Sabre in 1958, with the last aircraft leaving active duty in 1961. By that time, 47 aircraft were lost in major accidents. Escalating tension due to construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961 forced the USAF to recall the North American F-100A Super Sabres into active service in early 1962. The aircraft was finally retired in 1970.

The TAC request for a fighter-bomber was addressed with The North American F-100C Super Sabre 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 North American F-100C Super Sabre was at best an interim solution, sharing all the vices of the North American F-100A Super Sabre. The uprated J57-P-21 engine boosted performance but continued to suffer from compressor stalls. On a positive note, the North American F-100C Super Sabre was considered an excellent platform for nuclear toss bombing because of its high top speed. The inertia coupling problem was more or less addressed with installation of a yaw damper in the 146th North American F-100C Super Sabre, later retrofitted to earlier aircraft. A pitch damper was added starting with the 301st North American F-100C Super Sabre, at a cost of US$10,000 per aircraft.

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

The definitive North American F-100D Super Sabre aimed to address the offensive shortcomings of the North American F-100C Super Sabre by being primarily a ground attack aircraft with secondary fighter capability. To this effect, the aircraft was fitted with autopilot, upgraded avionics, and, starting with the 184th production aircraft, the 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%.

The first North American F-100D Super Sabre (AF 54-2121) flew on 24 January 1956, piloted by Daniel Darnell. It entered service on 29 September 1956 with 405th Fighter Wing at Langley AFB. The aircraft suffered from reliability problems with the constant speed drive which provides constant-frequency current to electrical systems. In fact, the drive was so unreliable that 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 North American F-100D Super Sabres underwent High Wire modifications to standardize the weapon systems. High Wire modifications took 60 days per aircraft at a total cost of US$150 million. In 1966, Combat Skyspot program fitted some North American F-100D Super Sabres 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 only have 30 minutes to launch the 614th aircraft and retire to the nearest German bunker.

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. USAF alone lost 500 North American F-100D Super Sabres, 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, a North American F-100D Super Sabre fitted with an Astrodyne booster rocket making 150,000 lbf (667.2 kN) of thrust successfully performed a zero length launch. 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. The capability was incorporated into late-production aircraft. After a major accident, the USAF Thunderbirds reverted from Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs to the North American F-100D Super Sabre which they operated from 1964 until it was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in 1968.

The North American F-100 Super Sabre 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 the more interesting of these was the replacement of the original afterburner of the J-57 engine with the more advanced afterburners from retired Convair F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors. This modification changed the appearance of the aft end of the North American F-100 Super Sabre, doing away with the original petal-style exhaust. The afterburner modification started in the 1970’s and solved maintenance problems with the old type as well as operational problems, including compressor stall issues.

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

By 1972, the North American F-100 Super Sabre 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 North American F-100 Super Sabre was eventually replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, LTV A-7 Corsair II, and Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, with the last North American F-100 Super Sabre retiring in 1979, with the introduction of the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. In foreign service, Royal Danish Air Force and Turkish Air Force North American F-100 Super Sabres soldiered on until 1982.

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

After North American F-100 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, FL. A few North American F-100 Super Sabres also found their way into civilian hands, primarily with defense contractors supporting USAF and NASA flight test activities at Edwards AFB, CA.

The RF-100A Slick Chick


North American received a contract to modify six North American F-100A Super Sabres to North American RF-100A Slick Chicks carrying five cameras, three K-17’s in a trimetrogon mounting for photo-mapping and two K-38’s 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.

The selected pilots trained on the North American F-100A Super Sabre at Edwards AFB and George AFB in CA and then at Palmdale for training with the actual North American RF-100A Slick Chicks they would be deployed with. Flight tests revealed that the North American RF-100A Slick Chicks 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/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 reconnaissance asset.

Three North American RF-100A Slick Chicks were also deployed to the 6021st Reconnaissance Squadron at Yokota Air Base in Japan, but details of operations there are not available. Two North American RF-100A Slick Chicks were lost in accidents, one due to probable over speeding 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 North American RF-100A Slick Chicks were returned to the USA and later supplied to the Republic of China Air Force in Taiwan.

Project High Wire

Project High Wire was a modernization program for selected North American F-100C, F-100D and F-100F Super Sabres. It consisted of two modifications - electrical rewiring upgrade, and heavy maintenance and IRAN upgrade. Rewiring upgrade operation consisted of replacing old wiring and harnesses with improved maintainable designs. Heavy maintenance and IRAN (inspect and repair as necessary) included new kits, modifications, standardized configurations, repairs, replacements and complete refurbishment.

This project required all new manuals (TO’s) and incremented (i.e. -85 to -86) block numbers. All later production models, especially the North American F-100F Super Sabre models included earlier High Wire mods. 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). Total Production was 2,294.

Vietnam War

On 16 April 1961 six North American F-100 Super Sabres were deployed from Clark Air Base in the Philippines to Don Muang Airfield in Thailand for air defense purposes; the first North American F-100 Super Sabres to enter combat in Southeast Asia. From that date until their redeployment in 1971, the North American F-100 Super Sabres would be the longest serving U.S. jet fighter-bomber to fight in the Vietnam War. Serving as MiGCAP escorts for Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs, MISTY FAC’s, 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 North American F-100D Super Sabre to be shot down by ground fire was piloted by 1st Lt Colin A. Clarke, of the 428th TFS; Clarke ejected and survived. On 4 April 1965, as escorts protecting Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs attacking the Thanh Hoa Bridge, North American F-100 Super Sabres fought the USAF’s first air-to-air jet combat duel in the Vietnam War, in which a North American F-100 Super Sabre piloted by Capt Donald W. Kilgus shot down a North Vietnamese Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Fresco, using cannon fire, while another fired Sidewinder missiles. The surviving North Vietnamese pilot confirmed three of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Fresco had been shot down. 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 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Frescos had penetrated the escorting North American F-100 Super Sabres to claim two Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs. The North American F-100 Super Sabre was soon replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II for MiG CAP which pilots noted suffered for lacking built-in guns for dogfights.

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 (military draft) 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 (7 AF) during the war, stated that five of the best North American F-100 Super Sabre squadrons in Vietnam were from the ANG. 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 North American F-100 Super Sabre Squadrons increased the regular USAF by nearly 100 North American F-100 Super Sabres in theater, averaging, for the Colorado ANG North American F-100 Super Sabres, 24 missions a day, delivering ordnance and munitions with a 99.5% reliability rate. From May 1968 to April 1969, the ANG North American F-100 Super Sabres flew more than 38,000 combat hours and more than 24,000 sorties. Between them, at the cost of seven North American F-100 Super Sabre Air Guard pilots killed (plus one staff officer) and the loss of 14 North American F-100 Super Sabres to enemy action, the squadrons expended over four million rounds of 20-mm cannon, 30 million pounds of bombs and over 10 million pounds of napalm against the enemy.

The Hun was also deployed as a two-seat North American F-100F Super Sabre 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 North American F-100F Wild Weasel I’s were fitted with an APR-25 vector radar homing and warning (RHAW) receivers, IR-133 panoramic receivers with greater detection range, and KA-60 panoramic cameras. The APR-25 could detect early-warning radars and, more importantly, emissions from SA-2 Guideline tracking and guidance systems. These aircraft deployed to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in November 1965, and began flying combat missions with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing in December. They were joined by three more aircraft in February 1966. All North American F-100F Wild Weasels were eventually modified to fire the AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile.

By war’s end, 242 North American F-100 Super Sabres had been lost in Vietnam, as the North American F-100 Super Sabre was progressively replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. The Hun had logged 360,283 combat sorties during the war and its wartime operations came to end on 31 July 1971.

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 Rheims, refueling at Istres on return flight from attacking targets in Algeria. The North American F-100 Super Sabre was the main fighter bomber in French Air Force during the 1960’s, until replaced by the BAC Jaguar.

Cyprus Crisis

Turkish Air Force North American F-100 Super Sabre units were used during the operation against EOKA in 1974. Together with Lockheed F-104G Starfighters, they provided close air support to Turkish ground troops and bombed targets around Nicosia.

Notable Achievements

F-100 Variants


Operators 1,2


Republic of China (Taiwan)

Republic of China Air Force — It was the only allied air force to operate the North American F-100A Super Sabre. The first North American F-100 Super Sabre was delivered in October 1958. It was followed by 15 North American F-100A Super Sabres in 1959, and by 65 more North American F-100A Super Sabres in 1960. In 1961, four unarmed North American RF-100A Super Sabres were delivered. Additionally, 38 ex-USAF/Air National Guard North American F-100A Super Sabres were delivered later, to bring total strength to 118 North American F-100A Super Sabres and four North American RF-100A Super Sabres. North American F-100A Super Sabres were retrofitted with the North American F-100D Super Sabre 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.

Denmark

Royal Danish Air Force — It operated total 72 aircraft. A total of 48 North American F-100D Super Sabres and 24 North American F-100F Super Sabres were delivered to Denmark from 1959 to 1974. The last Danish North American F-100 Super Sabres were retired from service in 1982. The North American F-100 Super Sabres were replaced by Saab F-35 Drakens and General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons. Some Danish North American F-100 Super Sabres were transferred to Turkey (21 North American F-100D Super Sabres and two North American F-100F Super Sabres).

French Republic (République Française)

French Air Force — The Armee de l’Air was the first Western-aligned air force to receive the North American F-100 Super Sabre Super Sabre. The first aircraft arrived in France on 1 May 1958. A total of 100 aircraft (85 North American F-100D Super Sabres and 15 North American F-100F Super Sabres) were supplied to France, and assigned to the NATO 4th Allied Tactical Air Force. They were stationed at German French bases. French North American F-100 Super Sabres were used on combat missions flying from bases in France against targets in Algeria. In 1967, France left NATO, and German-based North American F-100 Super Sabres were transferred to France, using bases vacated by the USAF.

Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti)

Turkish Air Force — The Turk Hava Kuvvetleri received about 206 North American F-100C, F-100D and F-100F Super Sabres. Most came from USAF stocks, and 21 North American F-100D Super Sabres and two North American F-100F Super Sabres were supplied by Denmark. Turkish North American F-100 Super Sabres saw extensive action during the 1974 military operation against Cyprus.

United States

United States Air Force — List of North American F-100 Super Sabre Units of the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Air National Guard (ANG).

Active Duty North American F-100 Super Sabre Units

This is a List of F-100 Units of the United States Air Force by wing, squadron, location, tailcode, features, variant, and service dates.
During the 1960’s, squadrons were transferred regularly to different wings and bases temporarily, and sometimes permanently.
In 1972, the Air Force eliminated the tailcode.

WingSquadronLocationTailcodeColorsVariantsService DatesNotes
3d TFW90th TFS
307th TFS
308th TFS
416th TFS
429th TFS
510th TFS
531st TFS
England AFB, LA
England AFB, LA
Engand AFB, LA
England AFB, LA
England AFB, LA
England AFB, LA
England AFB, LA
CB




CE
CP
Light Blue


Blue

Purple
Red
F-100D/F
F-100D/F
F-100D/F
F-100D/F
F-100D/F
F-100D/F
F-100D/F
1964-1971
1964-1971
1964-1971
1964-1971
1964-1971
1964-1971
1964-1971
Call Sign "DICE"




Call Sign "BUZZARD"
Call Sign "RAMROD"

4th FDW/TFW333d TFS
334th TFS
335th TFS
336th TFS
Seymour Johnson AFB, SC
Seymour Johnson AFB, SC
Seymour Johnson AFB, SC
Seymour Johnson AFB,SC
 Red
Blue
Green
Yellow
F-100C
F-100C
F-100C
F-100C

1958-1960
1958-1960
1958-1960
1958-1960

 
8th TFW Itazuke AB  F-100C1955-1963 
 35th TFS  BlueF-100D/F1956-1963 
 36th TFS  RedF-100D/F1956-1963 
 80th TFS  YellowF-100D/F1956-1963 
18th TFW    F-100  
 12th TFS   F-100  
 44th TFS   F-100  
 67th TFS   F-100  
20th TFW    F-100  
 55th TFS   F-100  
 77th TFS   F-100  
 79th TFS   F-100  
21st TFW    F-100  
 416th TFS   F-100 "Silver Knights"
 531st TFS   F-100  
27th TFW    F-100D  
 481st TFS   F-100D  
 522d TFS   F-100D  
 523d TFS   F-100D  
 524th TFS   F-100D  
31st TFW    F-100D  
 306th TFS   F-100D  
 307th TFS   F-100D  
 308th TFS   F-100D  
 309th TFS   F-100D  
35th TFW    F-100  
 120th TFS   F-100 CO ANG
 352d TFS   F-100  
 612th TFS, Det 1   F-100 MISTY FAC
 614th TFS   F-100  
 615th TFS   F-100  
36th TFWTFS   F-100  
 22d TFS   F-100  
 23d TFS   F-100  
 32d TFS   F-100  
 53d TFS   F-100  
 461st TFS   F-100  
 "SKYBLAZERS"   F-100  
37th TFWTFS   F-100  
 174th TFS   F-100  
 355th TFS   F-100  
 416th TFS   F-100  
 612th TFS, Det 1   F-100 MISTY FAC
39th Air Division    F-100  
 356th TFS   F-100  
 418th TFS   F-100 "Green Demons"
 531st TFS   F-100  
48th FBW/TFW Chaumont AB later Lakenheath AB  F-100  
 492d TFS   F-100  
 493d TFS   F-100  
 494th TFS   F-100  
49th FBW/TFW Étain-Rouvres AB later Spangdahlem AB  F-100  
 7th TFS  BlueF-100  
 8th TFS  YellowF-100  
 9th TFS  RedF-100  
50th FBW/TFW Toul AB  F-100  
 10th TFS   F-100  
 81st TFS   F-100  
 417th TFS   F-100  
57th FWW Nellis AFB  F-100  
 65th FWS   F-100  
58th TFTWTFS   F-100  
 310th TFS   F-100  
 311th TFS   F-100  
 426th TFS   F-100  
67th TRWTFS   F-100  
83d FDWTFS   F-100  
95th BWTFS   F-100  
113th TFWTFS   F-100  
312th TFWTFS   F-100  
316th Air DivisionTFS   F-100  
322d FDGTFS   F-100  
323d FBWTFS   F-100  
325th FWWTFS   F-100  
354th TFW Myrtle Beach AFB  F-100D/F1957-1969 
 352d TFS  YellowF-100DSep 57 - Aug 66"Yellow Jackets"
 353d TFS MNRedF-100DMar 57 - Apr 66"Black Panthers"
 355th TFS MRBlueF-100DMar 57 - Feb 68"Fighting Falcons"
 356th TFS MBGreenF-100DMar 57 - Mar 65"Green Demons"
366th TFWTFS   F-100  
388th TFWTFS   F-100  
401st TFW    F-100D  
 612th TFS   F-100D  
 613th TFS   F-100D  
 614th TFS   F-100D  
 615th TFS   F-100D  
402d FDWTFS   F-100  
405th FBW/TFWTFS   F-100  
413th FDW/TFWTFS   F-100  
450th FDW/TFWTFS   F-100  
474th FBW/TFWTFS   F-100  
475th TFWTFS   F-100  
475th WEGTFS   F-100  
479th FDW/TFWTFS   F-100  
506th TFWTFS   F-100  
3525th CCTWTFS   F-100  
3595th CCTWTFS   F-100  
3600th CCTWTFS   F-100  
4403d TFWTFS   F-100  
4510th CCTWTFS   F-100  
4520th CCTWTFS   F-100  
4525th CCTW/FWWTFS   F-100  
4530th CCTWTFS   F-100  
4554th CCTWTFS   F-100  
6000th Ops WingTFS   F-100  
6200th ABWTFS   F-100  
6585th Test GroupDet 1, 82d TATSWSMR  QF-100  
7272d Flying
Training Wing
7235th SSWheelus AB  F-100  
7499th Support Group7407th SS   RF-100A1955-1958 

North American F-100 Super Sabre ANG Units

In 1969 F-100D’s began transferring out of Vietnam to state-side Air National Guard bases.
By 1972, the Guardsmen had received 335 F-100D models.

Wing/GroupSquadronLocationTailcodeIdentifying FeaturesVariantsService Dates
102d TFG101st TFSOtis AFB
MA
Massachusetts ANGF-100A1971-1972
103d TFG118th TFS 
CT
White nosebandF-100A/D1960-1966
1971-1979
104th TFG131st TFSBarnes Municipal Airport
MA
red/white/red tailfinF-100D1971-1979
107th TFG136th TFSNiagara Falls International Airport
SG
New York ANGF-100C1960-1969
113th TFG121st TFSAndrews AFB
XB
Dist of Columbia ANGF-100A/C1960-1971
114th TFG175th TFSSioux Falls Regional Airport
SD
White line drawing of Wolf headF-100D1970-1977
116th TFG128th TFSDobbins ARB
GA
Yellow fin cap, lower tail blue fin stripeF-100D1973-1979
121st TFG166th TFSLockbourne AFB
BP
Ohio ANGF-100C/D1962-1971
1971-1974
122d TFG163d TFSIndiana ANG
JZ
Yellow fin band, edged in whiteF-100D1971-1979
127th TFG107th TFSSelfridge ANGB
MI
Red fin band w/white "MICHIGAN"F-100D1972-1978
131st TFG110th TFSLambert Field
SL
Red fin band, w/white "MISSOURI"F-100C/D1962-1979
132d TFG124th TFSDes Moines Airport, Iowa ANG
IA
 F-100C/D1961-1971
1971-1978
138th TFG125th TFSTulsa International Airport
OK
Red fin band w/white "OKLAHOMA"F-100D1973-1978
140th TFG120th TFSBuckley ANGB
VS Cs
Vietnam only
Large tailfin chevron, Red mountain lion headF-100C/D1961-1971
1971-1974
149th TFG182d TFSLackland AFB
SA
Red fin band w/white "TEXAS"F-100D1971-1979
150th TFG188th TFSKirtland AFB
SK
Yellow Roadrunner w/DSM,
yellow edged black chevrons&flash
F-100C1958-1973
159th TFG122d TFSNAS New Orleans
JZ
 F-100D1970-1979
 152d TFSTucson International Airport
AZ
Yellow fin chevron,
intake band both outlined in black
F-100A/C/D1958-1966
1969-1978
 119th TFSAtlantic City International Airport
XA
New Jersey ANGF-100C/D1964-1970
1970-?
 162d TFSSpringfield-Beckley Municipal Airport
OH
Red or green fin band, w/white "OHIO"F-100D1970-1978
179th TFG164th TFSMansfield Lahm Regional Airport, OH
OH
White-edged yellow tail bandF-100D1972-1975
180th TFG112th TFSToledo Express Airport
XP
Black & White checkerboard fin band,
thinly edged in yellow
F-100D1970-1979
181st TFG113th TFSHulman Field
TH
Red/white/blue fin band w/white "INDIANA"F-100D1971-1979
184th TFG127th TFSMcConnell AFB
BO
Kansas ANGF-100C/D1961-1971
1971-1979
185th TFG174th TFSSioux City Municipal Airport
HA
Yellow chevron on tail,
curved flash on fuselage, yellow nose
F-100C/D1961-1974
1974-1976
188th TFG Fort Smith MAP, Arkansas
NM
Red fin band w/white "ARKANSAS"F-100D1972-1979

Survivors


Denmark

France

Germany

Netherlands

Taiwan

Turkey

United Kingdom

United States

North American F-100 Super Sabre Production 3


North American F-100 Super Sabre Production
NAA ModelDesignationSerial NumbersNo. Built
NA-180YF-100AAF 52-5754/57552
NA-192F-100A-152-5756/5765203
F-100A-552-5766/5778
F-100A-1052-1529/1568
F-100A-1553-1569/1608
F-100A-2053-1609/1708
RF-100AModified photo version(6)
F-100BRedesignated YF-107A
NA-214F-100C-153-1709/177870
NA-217F-100C-154-1740/1769381
F-100C-554-1770/1814
F-100C-1554-1815/1859
F-100C-2054-1860/1969
F-100C-2554-1970/2120
NA-222F-100C-1055-2709/273325
NA-223F-100D-154-2121/2132496
F-100D-554-2133/2151
F-100D-1054-2152/2221
F-100D-1554-2222/2303
F-100D-2055-3502/3601
F-100D-2555-3602/3701
F-100D-3055-3702/3814
NA-224F-100D-3555-2734/2743221
F-100D-4055-2744/2783
F-100D-4555-2784/2863
F-100D-5055-2864/2948
F-100D-5555-2909/2954
NA-230TF-100C(54-1966)(1)
NA-235F-100D-6056-2903444
F-100D-9056-2904
F-100D-6056-2905/2946
F-100D-9056-2947
F-100D-6056-2948/2962
F-100D-6556-2963/3022
F-100D-7056-3023/3142
F-100D-7556-33143/3198
F-100D-9056-3199/3346
F-100EDesignation not used
NA-243F-100F-156-3725/3739295
F-100F-556-3740/3769
F-100F-1056-3770/3919
F-100F-1556-3920/4019
NA-245F-100D-8056-3351/3378113
F-100D-8556-3379/3463
NA-254F-100DThirteen F-100D canceled
NA-255F-100F-2058-1205/123329
NA-261F-100F-1558-6975/69839
DF-100F(56-3725)(1)
TotalF-100A/F fighters, fighter-bombers and trainers, 1949-19572,294

Specifications (F-100A) 3,4


Type

Wings

Fuselage

Tail Unit

Landing Gear

Power Plant 3,4

Accommodation

Armament3

Dimensions 3,4

Weight 3

Performance 3

References


  1. Wikipedia: North American F-100 Super Sabre
  2. Wikipedia: List of F-100 Units of the United States Air Force
  3. Thompson, Kevin. North American Aircraft 1934-1999, Volume 2, Narkiewicz//Thompson, Santa Ana, CA, 1999, ISBN 0-913322-06-7, pp 44-66.
  4. Bridgman, Leonard. "The North American Super Sabre," Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 1955-56, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1956, pp 294-295
  5. Bridgman, Leonard. "The North American Super Sabre," Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft 1957-58, New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1958, pp 338-339
  6. Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. "North American F-100 Super Sabre," United States Military Aircraft since 1908, London: Putnam & Company, Ltd., 1963, ISBN 0-370-00094-3, pp 429-432
  7. Photos: USAF archive photos
  8. Photos: NASA/Ames archive photos
  9. Photos: John Shupek


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