The North American F-100 Super Sabre holds a unique position among military aircraft for being the first United States Air Force fighter that was capable of attaining supersonic speed in level flight. Developed by North American Aviation Corporation, the F-100 was the first of the Century Series of chiUSAF jet fighters and was an important advance in technology due to its use of heat-resistant titanium alloys.
First entering service in 1954, the F-100 served with the U.S. Air Force until 1971 and continued its operational life with the Air National Guard until 1979. Originally designed to be an air superiority fighter, the Super Sabre found its primary combat role as a fighter-bomber during the Vietnam War. It flew strike missions over North Vietnam until it was eventually replaced by the faster F-105 Thunderchief. In South Vietnam, the F-100 was the Air Force’s principal close air support jet until well into the war when the far more efficient subsonic LTV A-7D Corsair II replaced the Super Sabre.
It served very long and durable service in Vietnam. From April 16, 1961, until their re-deployment in 1971, the F-100s were the longest-serving US jet fighter bombers in the Vietnam War. During this time, 198 F-100s were lost in combat, plus an additional 45 to other causes.
This variant, the F-100D which entered service in 1956 was especially conspicuous in its improvements. Equipped with a supersonic autopilot, enlarged fin and rudder, inboard landing flaps, and underwing pylons capable of carrying up to 3,200 kg of ordnance, the F-100D was a formidable fighter-bomber. Extensive use in Vietnam, although some F-100s never left the continental United States the fifteenth aircraft off the production line. This aircraft was used at Edwards AFB as a test aircraft then went to Lackland AFB, Texas for preservation and later to Travis.
The F-100F was the two-seat variant designed as a supersonic trainer and first flying in March 1957. It was an F-100D with enough stretching to accommodate two crew members, yet retained its air-to-air and fighter-bomber capability of the preceding variant, although only two cannons were installed versus four.
But it also contributed much to aerobatic performances with the USAF Thunderbirds, showcasing raw power and speed. Models of the aircraft are noted, such as the F-100A, F-100D, and F-100F, which show its multi-capacity skill and technological changes that take place within it, thus making it an item of continued interest among military aviation enthusiasts and model collectors alike.