North American F-107

The North American F-107 is a prototype aircraft that was North American Aviation's entry in a United States Air Force tactical fighter-bomber design competition of the 1950s, based on the F-100 Super Sabre. It incorporated many innovations and radical design features, notably the over-fuselage air intakes. The competition was eventually won by the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, and two of the three F-107 prototypes ended their lives as test aircraft. One is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and a second at Pima Air and Space Museum.

Design and development In June 1953, North American initiated an in-house study of advanced F-100 designs, leading to proposed interceptor (NAA 211: F-100BI denoting "interceptor") and fighter-bomber (NAA 212: F-100B) variants.Pace 1986, p. 39. Concentrating on the F-100B, the preliminary engineering and design work focused on a tactical fighter-bomber configuration, featuring a recessed weapons bay under the fuselage and provision for six hardpoints underneath the wings. Single-point refueling capability was provided while a retractable tailskid was installed. An all-moving vertical fin and an automated flight control system were incorporated which permitted the aircraft to roll at supersonic speeds using spoilers.Simone 2002, pp. 25–30. The flight control system was upgraded by the addition of pitch and yaw dampers.

The aircraft's most distinguishing feature is its dorsal-mounted variable-area inlet duct (VAID). While the VAID was at the time a system unique to the F-107A, it is now considered to be an early form of variable geometry intake ramp which automatically controlled the amount of air fed to the jet engine.Simone 2002, pp. 32–35. Although the preliminary design of the air intake was originally located in a chin position under the fuselage like the Vought F-8 Crusader, the air intake was eventually mounted in an unconventional position directly above and just behind the cockpit.Jones 1975, p. 268. The VAID system proved to be very efficient and NAA used the design concept on its A-5 Vigilante, XB-70 Valkyrie and XF-108 Rapier designs.Simone 2002, p. 35.

The air intake was in the unusual dorsal location as the Air Force had required the carriage of an underbelly semi-conformal nuclear weapon. The intake also severely limited rear visibility. Nonetheless, this was not considered very important for a tactical fighter-bomber aircraft at that time, and furthermore it was assumed that air combat would be via guided missile exchanges outside visual range.Pace 1986, pp. 24, 26, 30.

In an emergency, the ejection seat was designed to blast directly through the non-jettisoning canopy and bring the pilot swiftly clear of the air intakes. In non-emergency operation, the canopy opened by sliding vertically upwards via guide mechanism, rather than the typical arrangement of a hinged or horizontally sliding canopy.

A two-seat version of the F-107 was proposed by North American, which seated both crewmembers under a single canopy in an extended forward fuselage, but none were built.Jenkins/Landis 1975, p. 178.

In August 1954, a contract was signed for three prototypes along with a pre-production order for six additional airframes.

In the end however, the United States Air Force decided to purchase the Republic F-105 Thunderchief after heavy consideration for the F-107 program.

Designation and names Extensive design changes resulted in its redesignation from F-100B to F-107A before the first prototype flew. The F-107 was never given an official name, but was sometimes informally called the "Super Super Sabre"Pace 1986, p. 42. referring to North American's earlier fighter design, the F-100 Super Sabre.Simone 2002, p. 2. The designation "F-107A" was the only one assigned to the aircraft, though "YF-107A" is often used in publications.Baugher, Joe. "North American F-100B/F-107." USAF Fighters, 27 November 1999. Retrieved: 10 July 2011.Donald 2003, p. 23. The aircraft is also informally called the "Ultra Sabre".Weeks, John A. III. "YF-107A — The Ultra Sabre Survivors." Aviation History And Aircraft Photography, 2009. Retrieved: 31 March 2009.

Operational history

The first F-107A (serial number 55-5118) with North American's chief test pilot Bob Baker at the controls, made its initial flight on 10 September 1956, attaining Mach 1.03.Angelucci and Bowers 1987, p. 356. After the successful test flight, the brakechute did not deploy, which resulted in a "hot" landing with the nose gear strut breaking. The aircraft first achieved Mach 2 in tests on 3 November 1956.

It was joined by the second F-107A (55-5119), which made its first flight on 28 November 1956. It was used for weapons testing with both conventional and atomic bombs.Pace 1986, pp. 24, 26. The last prototype, (55-5120) had its maiden flight on 10 December 1956. At the conclusion of the F-107A's successful test program, the Tactical Air Command decided to hold a fly-off competition between the F-107A and the Republic F-105 which was designed to have the same mission requirements and use the same engine. Although the competition was close, the F-105 was selected as the new standard TAC tactical fighter. The three F-107A prototypes were relegated to test flying and the pre-production order was cancelled.Pace 1986, p. 33.

In late 1957, prototypes #1 (55-5118) and #3 (55-5120) were leased to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) for high-speed flight research. Aircraft #1 is now in the collection of the Pima Air & Space Museum. In September 1959, with Scott Crossfield at the controls, aircraft #3 was damaged during an aborted takeoff. The aircraft was not repaired and, ultimately, used for fire fighting training and was destroyed in the early 1960s.Simone 2002, p. 127. (55-5120 was also noted to be stored in poor condition in the Tallmantz collection at Orange County Airport California in September 1970.)

Prototype #2 (55-5119) was not used by NACA and flown on 25 November 1957 to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.

Variants NA-212 North American design or charge number. F-100B Original military designation for the NA-212, not used F-107A Military designation for nine prototype NA-212s ordered, only three built. FJ-5 Proposal by North American in July 1955 for a navalised F-107 powered by a General Electric J79 turbojet; a proposal was made to build a prototype with the wing of an FJ-4 Fury. Not taken up.

Aircraft on display 55-5118 – Pima Air and Space Museum, adjacent to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona."YF-107A Ultra Sabre/55-5118." Pima Air and Space Museum. Retrieved: 10 May 2013. 55-5119 –Currently in storage at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.

Specifications (F-107A)

North American F-107

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