Trumpeter 01605 North American F-107A Ultra Sabre

Originally, the F-100B was derived from the F-100A. It was supposed to be a faster version of the A-series day interceptor. It was optimized to achieve the highest possible acceleration and maximum speed. The design of the F-100B began in 1953. The original A-series wings were retained. A reinforced version of the Pratt-Whitney J75 engine was fitted. It was planned to use an air intake with variable geometry. Fuel was to be carried in wing tanks. Reject tanks were not expected to be used. The projected top speed was to increase to Mach 1.8. Although the work was advanced, the USAF showed little interest. As work on the assault version of the Super Saber was commenced at the same time, the F-100B project was suspended. The North American factories, however, were still striving to resume work on the "faster" version of the F-100. To interest government decision-makers, assault capabilities were added and the effectiveness in air combat in difficult weather conditions was increased by, among others, adding an on-board radar. This convinced the USAF generals and won a contract for 33 aircraft. Despite the fact that the F-100B was derived from the F-100A, the exterior has changed so much that it was decided to give the structure a new designation - F-107A. The aircraft was armed similarly to other F-100s. Additional weapons could be carried on six under-wing and one under-fuselage pylons. The main offensive armament was to be a nuclear bomb carried in a recess under the fuselage, however, tests in the wind tunnel showed great instability of this configuration. Major swirls arose between the bomb under the fuselage and the air intake and radar cover. This problem was solved by relocating the air intake to the spine of the fuselage behind the cockpit. The first flight of the prototype took place on September 10, 1956 at Edwards base. Supersonic speed was exceeded on the first flight. During the test flights, the planes proved to be very unstable (which led to the crash), which resulted in the withdrawal of support from the USAF. Technical data: Maximum speed: 1.8 Ma, speed of climb: 203 m / s, maximum ceiling 16220 m, maximum range: 3885 km, armament: fixed - 4 20mm cannons, suspended - up to 4500 kg of bombs.