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North American YF-107 (Ultra Sabre)

1956 COLD WAR X-PLANE

History of the North American YF-107 (Super Sabre)

The North American YF-107 Super Sabre prototype marks North American Aircraft Corporation's last foray into military aviation - the company responsible for the P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre and other memorable Airplanes and F-100 "Super Sabres" - Veterans of all ages. His outgoing work will focus on a branch of the F-100 (USAF) that needs a Mach 2 capable nuclear launch platform.

The YF-107 design was originally called the F-100B, but later references changed its name to

"YF-107A". The YF-107A is a significantly improved F-100 with an all-new nose cone and a spine-mounted air intake. The nose cone is designed to accommodate the fire-control radar required for precise weapons delivery, and the unique positioning of the air intake is simply a result of the limitations of the existing F-100 layout.

The YF-107 design retains the wings, rear fuselage and tail of its F-100 origins. With a crew of only one, the recommended standard armament is 4 x M-39E internal cannons and up to 10,000 lbs of external ammunition.

This aircraft, which failed to compete with other aircraft during the USAF tactical fighter design phase, won the race to become the Republic F-105 Thunder Chief. The three completed YF-107s continued to be used in various aerial R&D tests to support high-level, high-speed flight.

The North American interceptor concept was developed during the YF-108 "Rapier" program and was billed as a Mach 3 capable interceptor, although the system was also not in service.

Of the three YF-107s completed, one was scrapped in the 1960s, while the remaining two completed their useful lives as well-preserved museum exhibitsone at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, Another is at the National Museum at Dayton Air Force Base, Ohio.