F-100C Super Sabre

The F-100 Super Sabre represents the first of the famed Century Series – six planes that ushered in the age of the supersonic jet.  The success of these planes reshaped military aviation and became key players both in combat and in the work to keep peace in the age of nuclear threats.

As early as the 1940s, companies like North American Aviation (NAA) were experimenting with the new jet propulsion technology and eventually developed what was dubbed the Sabre 45.  Inspired by the F-86 Sabre, the plane’s 45 degree swept wing design rounded out the prototype’s name. 

In a bit of a gamble, NAA sent the US Air Force a proposal for the Sabre 45 in 1951.  Although unsolicited, the USAF nonetheless were interested in the possibilities the plane provided.  Internal discussions set a deadline for a fully operational plane by 1957, with a preferred deadline of 1955.  Interestingly, leadership opted to place a quantified order with NAA despite no actual flight tests being conducted.

Because NAA was also producing F-86 Sabres for the military during the Korean War, the focus on the renamed F-100 slowed down.  But by 1953, the conflict was winding down, and NAA returned its focus to the Super Sabre’s production.  In May of that year, famed test pilot George Welch was selected to conduct the plane’s first test flight.  Upon leveling out at 35,000 feet, he was directed to let the plane reach its full speed and became the first pilot to fly at Mach 1 in level flight in a jet.  He ultimately topped out at Mach 1.05, which surprised testers as the F-100 had been outfitted with a Pratt & Whitney XJ57-P-7 engine that was experiencing decreased output.

Testing revealed several flaws despite the over 100 modifications to the plane’s original design prior to the prototype’s construction.  Two of the more well-known flaws were yaw (side-to-side motion) instability, and inertia coupling that would lead to the plane unexpectedly roll in mid-flight.  Modifications and testing continued well into 1954, even as planes were being produced for the USAF to be entered into service.

Despite this rocky start, the F-100 proved to be a capable plane and during its use by both American and allied militaries, nineteen (19) variants were produced.  As with many planes, not every variant was produced at full scale, and some were only available with certain militaries (i.e. French Air Force).  Its primary use was as a fighter-interceptor, but reconnaissance, drone, and trainer versions were also produced.

The Super Sabre’s combat history is almost exclusively tied to the Vietnam War, but versions were used by the French during the Algerian War and by Turkey during the 1974 Invasion of Cyprus.  Of all the planes used during the Vietnam War, the F-100 was the longest serving (1961 – 1971) before being phased out in favor of other planes, such as the F-4 Phantom II and the F-105 Thunderchief.  Nearly 250 Super Sabres were lost, but the entire fleet flew a combined 360,283 sorties throughout the war.  No credited aerial victories were logged by the Super Sabres that time.

The F-100 also served as the second plane used by the USAF’s Thunderbirds demonstration team.  Flown for a combined eleven years, the Super Sabre is the second most used plane in the history of the team, following their current roster of F-16 Falcons.  The C-model was used between 1956 and 1963 and after a disastrous turn with the F-105 Thunderchief, the team switched to the F-100D and flew them from 1964 to 1968.

The plane would remain in use by the USAF and the Air National Guard until it was retired in 1979.  Both Grissom AFB and the Fort Wayne Air National Guard flew the Super Sabres at various times, including towards the end of the plane’s run.  The Republic of China would continue using them until they were phased out in 1988.  Today, many of the remaining are on display at museums and municipal locations like veteran parks.  Nearly two dozen can be seen in seven other countries such as the Netherlands and Taiwan.  It’s been reported that at least two are still airworthy.