F100 Super Sabre Recovery
We purchased N418FS at an online auction in Mojave Ca in the fall of 2020, a retired Marine pilot buddy had sent us the auction info knowing Darryl's interest in aircraft and lack of good judgment. Over a glass of wine on a Sunday afternoon with his wife, Sheila, they ended up "winning" the auction - becoming proud Associate Members of the Super Sabre Society in the process.
After heading to Mojave to inspect the aircraft and then speaking with the winner of the other auction, F-100 N417FS, we acquired that aircraft as a source of spare parts if we decided to restore either one to a relatively complete state. After further consideration, our current plan is to swap some of the good tin and parts on 418 over to 417 and the ground damaged 417 parts onto 418 and then donate 418 to the CAF Museum in Mesa, AZ, this spring.
We have spoken with the museum folks over the past few months and they are excited to have a Hun in their collection, as the only aircraft from this era currently is a MIG. I also believe a couple of pilots from the Phoenix area had flown this aircraft in the past so there is a nice local connection. We have a residence in the area so we will be able to visit it occasionally as well. After much deliberation, we have decided which two organizations will receive these marvels of aviation history:
Achievements of the F-100 Super Sabre
The first operational aircraft in United States Air Force inventory capable of exceeding the speed of sound in level flight.
On 29 October 1953, the first YF-100A prototype set a world speed record of 755.149 mph (656.207 kn, 1,215.295 km/h) at low altitude.
On 20 August 1955, an F-100C set a supersonic world speed record of 822.135 mph (714.416 kn, 1,323.098 km/h).
On 4 September 1955, an F-100C won the Bendix Trophy, covering 2,235 mi (2,020 nmi, 3,745 km) at an average speed of 610.726 mph (530.706 kn, 982.868 km/h).
On 26 December 1956, two F-100Ds became the first-ever aircraft to successfully perform buddy refueling.
On 13 May 1957, three F-100Cs set a new world distance record for single-engine aircraft by covering the 6,710 mi (5,835 nmi, 10,805 km) distance from London to Los Angeles in 14 hours and four minutes. The flight was accomplished using inflight refueling.
On 7 August 1959, two F-100Fs became the first-ever jet fighters to fly over the North Pole.
On 16 April 1961, the first USAF combat jets to enter the Vietnam War.
On 4 April 1965, the first USAF aircraft to engage in aerial jet combat during the Vietnam War, while escorting F-105 Thunderchiefs to target.
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds operated the F-100C from 1956 until 1964. After briefly converting to the F-105 Thunderchief, the team flew F-100Ds from July 1964 until November 1968, before converting to the F-4E Phantom II.