The F-100A was notorious for difficult handling with a tendency to go into a flat spin
forcing the pilot to eject. Even then there was a possibility of the aircraft striking the pilot.
Another problem was a tendency for the J-57 engines to flame out causing several
crashes. The F-100A finally became operational with the USAF in September 1955 but in
1958 the accident prone F-100A began a phase out that was completed in 1961. By this
time 47 of the 203 F-100As were lost in accidents.

Ex-USAF F-100A Super Sabre 53-1589 c/n 192-84 once flew with the 162nd FG before
going to the 152nd TFS/AZ ANG. In March 1966 the aircraft arrived at AMARC where it
was stored until February 1970 when it was shipped to North American in Inglewood, CA.
Here it was updated and made airworthy before being sent to McClellan AFB, CA. From
here it was shipped to the RoCAF in Taiwan and marked as 0218 under the MAP. In
1987 the Taiwan Defense Department donated the aircraft and it is on display at the
National Taiwan University, Chengkungling.

North American F-100A Super Sabre

Role – Designed as a single-seat day time air superiority fighter

Dimensions
Length – 47ft 1.25in   (14.3 m)
Height – 15ft 6in   (4.7 m)
Wing span – 38ft 10in   (11.8 m)
Wing area - 385 sq. ft   (35.76 sq. m)

Weights
Empty - 18,185 lb   (8,247 kg)
Maximum - 32,500 lb   (14,739 kg)

Performance
Engine – Pratt & Whitney J57-P-7 (A/B 14,800Lb) / thrust 9,700 lb   (4,399 kg)

Fuel
Internal fuselage tanks – 1294 gallons   (4898.32 L)
External drop tanks - 2 X 275 gallons each   (1040.98 L each)

Speed
Cruise - 587 mph   947 km/h   (512 kt)
Maximum - 848 mph   1,369 km/h   (740 kt)
Climb rate - 23,800 ft/min   (7,253 m/min)

Ceiling
Service - 44,900 feet   (13685.52 m)
Combat - 51,000 ft   (15,544 m)

Range
Normal - 358 miles   (576.14 km)
Maximum - 1294 miles   (2082.49 km)

Armament
4 X 20-mm Pontiac M-39 cannon in lower fuselage below the cockpit / 200 rounds per
gun, RoF 1,500 rpm – muzzle velocity 3,300 fps.
2 X under-wing stations for bombs as large as 1000 pounds   (373.24 kg).

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