The "D" variant was the ultimate version of the F-100 with 1,274 aircraft being
produced. The production of the F-100 ended in August 1959. The F-100D arrived in
Southeast Asia in 1962 with its primary mission being close air support and ground
attack within South Vietnam. This role was eventually taken over by the A-7 Corsair II.
The aircraft became affectionately known as “The Hun”, short for “one HUNdred”. The
last F-100 left Vietnam in July 1971 but not before 242 of these aircraft was lost. The
“Hun” was eventually replaced by the F-4 Phantom II and the F-105 Thunderchief.

For a short time during the Vietnam War F-100s were assigned escort duties flying
Rescue Combat Air Patrol (RESCAP) and MiG Combat Air Patrol (MiGCAP) missions.
The first official U.S. aerial shoot down was made on April 9, 1965 when a USN F-4B
shot down a MiG-17. However during one RESCAP/MiGCAP mission Captain Donald
Kilgus flying F-100D 55-2894 of the 416th TFS claimed he shot down a Chinese MiG-17
five days earlier than the F-4. Not wanting to provoke China into joining the war the
claim was dismissed.

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.

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