| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2103 North American F-100D Super Sabre 56-3000 "Triple Zilch" 20th TFW, RAF Wethersfield Essex, England, late 1957 |
| THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINISHED MODEL |
| The North American F-100 Super Sabre was in USAF service from 1954 to 1971 and the ANG until 1979. It was the first aircraft of what was to become known as “Century aircraft” referring to the 100. The F-100 was the first USAF jet fighter capable of super sonic speeds in level flight. The F-100D was designed to overcome the short falls of the “C”. The “D” suffered from electrical problems, landing gear and brake chute failures as well as re-fuelling probes that broke off during high speed maneuvers. Of the 1,274 “D”s produced over 500 aircraft were lost, mostly due to accidents with a loss rate of 50 aircraft per year during the Vietnam War. The 20th TFW was activated in late 1930 as 20th Pursuit Group. The unit first went to England in 1943 for WWII and returned to Wethersfield, Essex, England in 1952 as part of United States Air Force Europe (USAFE). The first F-100s arrived in 1957. Triple Zilch was chosen by Col. Raymond Toliver, the commander of the 20th TFW because of its buzz number (FW-000). He began flying with the 55th TFS and this squadron emblem along with the 2 other 20th TFW units the 77th and 79th are displayed on his aircraft. Specifications for the F-100D Primary function Fighter-Bomber Engine 1 X Pratt & Whitney J57-P-21/21A turbojet, 10,200 lb.st. dry and 16,000 lb.st. with afterburning. Dimensions Wingspan 38 ft 9 in Length - 50 ft 0 in Height - 16 ft 2 3/4 in Wing area - 400 sq. ft. Performance Maximum speed - 770 mph at sea level (clean), 864 mph (Mach 1.3) at 36,000 ft (clean). Initial climb rate - 19,000 ft/min. An altitude of 35,000 ft could be attained in 2.3 minutes. Service ceiling - 36,100 ft, combat ceiling 47,700 ft, absolute ceiling 50,000 ft. Normal range - 534 mi, maximum range 1,995 mi. Fuel capacity – 1,739 US gallons internally, total of 2,139 gallons if maximum external fuel is carried. Weights Empty - 21,000 lbs Gross - 28,847 lbs Maximum T/O - 34,832 lbs Armament 4 X 20-mm Pontiac M-39 cannon 6 X under-wing pylons for up to 7,040 lbs of bombs, fuel tanks, or rockets. 1 X MK-28 or Mk-43/57/61 nuclear weapon could be carried. In later versions, 4 X AIM-9B/E/J Sidewinder air-to-air infrared homing missiles could be carried. |



