F-100 Supersabre

The F-100 Supersabre was the first operational aircraft capable of flying faster than the speed of sound in level flight. It made its initial flight on May 25, 1953, and the first production aircraft was completed in October 1953. North American built 2,294 F-100s before production ended in 1959 with the F-100F models. Originally designed to destroy enemy aircraft in aerial combat, the F-100 became a fighter-bomber. It made its combat debut in the Vietnam War, attacking targets such as bridges, river barges, road junctions, and cantonment areas used by infiltrating enemy soldiers. As tactics developed, the F-100F became important for two new missions: surface-to-air missile suppression, known as Iron Hand, and high-speed forward air control, known as Misty FAC. The displayed F-100C included advances such as an in-flight refueling system, provisions for extra fuel tanks and bombs under the wings, and an improved electronic bombing system. This F-100C, serial number 54-1986, was last flown by the Armament Development and Test Center at Eglin AFB. It is depicted as F-100F serial number 56-3954, flown by Col. George “Bud” Day when he was a major. In April 1967, during a Misty FAC mission, Day was shot down, captured, and held as a prisoner of war for the next 67 months. On March 4, 1976, Colonel Day received the Medal of Honor from President Gerald Ford.

Florida · United States