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| 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 that permitted the plane to roll at supersonic speeds and a system (Variable Area Inlet Duct) that 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 (Mach 1, the speed of sound, 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 for high-speed flight research. SPECIFICATIONS: Span: 36 ft. 7 in. Length: 60 ft. 10 in. Height: 19 ft. 8 in. Weight: 41,537 lbs. max. Armament: Four 20mm cannons, 108 2.75 in. rockets and up to 4,000 lbs. of bombs Engine: Pratt & Whitney J75 of 23,500 lbs. thrust (with afterburner) Crew: One Serial number: 55-5119 C/N: 212-2 PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed: Mach 2-plus Cruising speed: 600 mph Range: 1,570 miles Service ceiling: 48,000 ft. |
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| Bibliography: National Museum of the USAF |