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Air Power |
The F-107A was originally designed as a tactical fighter-bomber version of the F-100, with a recessed weapon bay under the fuselage. However, extensive design changes resulted in its redesignation from F-100B to F-107A before the first prototype flew. Special features included an all-moving vertical fin; a control system which permitted the plane to roll at supersonic speeds; and a system (Variable Area Inlet Duct) which automatically controlled the amount of air fed to the jet engine.
On Sept. 10, 1956, the No. 1 F-107A made its initial flight, attaining Mach 1.03 (The speed of sound, Mach 1, is about 760 mph at sea level). The aircraft first achieved Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) in tests on Nov. 3, 1956. Three F-107As were built as prototypes and were test flown extensively, but the aircraft did not go into production, the Republic F-105 having been selected as the standard fighter-bomber for the Tactical Air Command. In late 1957, Nos. 1 and 3 were leased to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) for high-speed flight research. The F-107 also provided NASA with valuable flight-test information.
The F-107A on display is aircraft No. 2, and its first flight was on Nov. 28, 1956. It was used for weapons testing with both conventional and atomic bombs. On Nov. 25, 1957, it was flown to the USAF Museum.
Specifications:
Primary Function: Tactical fighter-bomber
Contractor: North American
Crew: One
Unit Cost: N/A
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney J75 at 23,500 lbs thrust with afterburner
Dimensions:
Length: 60 ft 10 in
Wingspan: 36 ft 7 in
Height: 19 ft 8 in
Weights: Empty: N/A - Maximum Takeoff: 41,537 lbs
Performance :
Speed: Mach 2+
Ceiling: 48,000 ft
Range: 1,570 miles
Armaments:
Four 20mm cannons,
108 2.75 in. rockets,
Up to 4,000 lbs. of bombs
