Two-Seaters Became Wild Weasels
A two-seat trainer version of the F-100, the F-100F, first entered service during 1958. Many of the TAC squadrons received a couple of these trainers, which were modified along with the F-100Ds to improve weapons delivery capabilities and structural integrity. But F-100Fs were subject to similar attrition rates as the F-100D, with 74 of them lost to mishaps by 1970.
F-100Fs gained some measure of fame as Commando Sabre fast FAC and Iron Hand / Wild Weasel I aircraft in the skies over Southeast Asia. Of the 2,294 F-100s (all variants) produced by North American between 1953 and 1959, an astounding total of 889 F-100s (all variants) were lost to accidents during the Super Sabre’s service with the USAF- 116 of them during 1958 alone.
Replaced by SLUFs and Shot Down as Targets
F-100s were replaced in front-line USAF service by several newer Air Force types by 1972, among them the Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II and the Vought A-7D Corsair II. Of course McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs replaced them as well. But Air National Guard (ANG) units flew them for several more years, sometimes serving as MiG-15, MiG-17, and MiG-19 simulators and as training partners in dissimilar air combat training (DACT) with more advanced fighters.
The ANG eventually retired the last F-100s from operational use in 1979. More than 200 of them were converted into QF-100 drones and expended as targets during the development of today’s weapons systems. F-100s were also used as flight test chase aircraft out of Edwards AFB for many years.
Flying Foreign Skies
In addition to the USAF, The Republic of China (Taiwan), Denmark, France, and Turkey operated Super Sabres. The Royal Danish Air Force and Turkish Air Force were the last F-100 operators, retiring their F-100s in 1982. There are a couple of several F-100F “warbirds” flying under private ownership today. Here is a link to a story we did some time ago featuring Colonel Bud Day and the Collings Foundation F-100F. Enjoy!
[…] UH-1D and UH-1E IroquoisCessna O-1 Bird DogDouglas C-47 Skytrainde Havilland Canada C-7A CaribouNorth American F-100D Super SabreHelio U-10D Couriera Lockheed P-2 Neptune from VP-18 Flying PhantomsFairchild C-119 Flying […]
As a side note the only air to air kill of a B-52 was by a NM ANG F-100