iscover
The only use for F-100s these days is as remotely controlled drones. These two examples are civilian registered and have been modified by Sperry for use in support of various US Defence Department and civilian contractor uses.
Profile – North American F-100 Super Sabre
0 comment
‘The Hun’
An Account of the F-100 Super Sabre
On May 25, 1953, high in the clear and cloudless bright blue sky over the Mojave Desert of California, two sleek swept wing aircraft hurtled side by side faster and faster through the crisp air. Shortly beforehand they had taken off from Edwards Air Force Base. At the controls of one was North American Aviation’s (NAA) test pilot George ‘Wheaties’ Welch and his mount was the company’s brand new YF-100A Super Sabre on its maiden flight. The second aircraft was an F-86 Sabre chase plane piloted by Lt Col Frank K “Pete” Everest Jr, head of the Flight Test Operation Laboratory of the US Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC). After preliminary checks they had climbed to 35,000ft (10,670m) and there had opened their throttles.
Both Welch and Everest were confident that the new machine was capable of exceeding Mach 1, the so-called sound barrier. Welch had confidently announced that he would buy his colleague two beers if he succeeded in breaking through on the first flight and he brought his afterburner into operation as Everest pushed his F-86 to full power. Quickly they reached Mach 0. 9, maximum speed for the Sabre chase plane and Everest watched as the YF-100A accelerated out of sight. Minutes later Welch’s excited voice resounded in his ears as the elated test pilot shouted, “Bingo”, the prearranged signal announcing that he had made it. It had been done. Welch had broken through and so NAA was soon able to boast that its new Super Sabre was the world’s first operational supersonic aircraft. . .
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
