North American F-100C Super Sabre, 54-1823 / 217-84, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 54-1823
Construction Number: 217-84
Code Number: 823 / 'Discovery'
Model North American F-100C Super Sabre
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 14/07/2009
The F-100C was the fighter-bomber variant of the 'Hun' and first flew, in prototype form, in March 1954. The 'C' mode was equipped with a Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) enabling the delivery of a 'special store' (a euphemism for a nuclear weapon), they also had greatly increased fuel capacity, in-flight refuelling capability and six under-wing hardpoints for external stores. In total, 476 F-100Cs were constructed and the type saw extensive service over the skies of Vietnam. The Air National Guard continued to use the type until 1979. Many F-100s would later be converted into full-scale aerial targets designated QF-100s, a few of these were still in storage 'across the road' at AMARC when I visited in 1992 and '93. This particular Hun is named 'Discovery' and wears the markings of her former unit, the 152nd TFTS/162nd TFTG, Arizona Air National Guard. Since this photograph was taken however, she has been repainted in the markings of the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, based at Luke AFB, Arizona. She is displayed at Pima courtesy of the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Picture ID:1182704