I was recently reading a book titled “Fighter Missions”, printed in 1989. In one photo it shows the F-15 Eagle on an airfield, it looks like a prototype version to me. Unfortunately there is not a credit or location given in the book text concerning the photo.
In the background on the flight line was a series of F-100 Super Sabres. The airframe was painted in a standard SEA scheme, but the tail was solid red.
If the picture was of the protoype F15, that would place it and the F100’s in St. Louis at the McDonnell/Douglas factory, or possibly at Wright-Patterson or Edwards for flight testing of the F15.
I have a Monogram 1/48 F100 I plan on building, and am considering doing it in this scheme. Would anyone have information on what the ID of the unit would be?
Just a thought but could the F100s be target drones?they had dayglo red panels…Gregers
Holloman AFB, NM, was home for the drone conversion. It was also the West Coast drone and test site for many years. A lot of AF acft went TDY to Holloman AFB for weapons testing, launching missiles at full scale drones. It is possible that the F-15 was at Holloman AFB for weapons eval and testing against the F-100 drone. The East Coast weapons test is at Eglin AFB. FL. At Tyndall AFB, FL is home for the East Coast drones.
The red tail Huns are QF-100 target drones. I don’t think they were assigned to a any one unit. They were converted and, I believe operated, by Sperry Flight Systems and Tracor/Flight Systems Division.
Drones, drones, drones…
They’ve converted F-100’s, F-102’s, F-106’s, F-4’s… the list goes on!
Anyhoo, for anyone interested in a bit of info on QF-100’s:
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f100_10.html
Here’s a shot of a QF-100 on death row. This one was assigned to the 82nd TATS, 475th WEG, ADWC at Tyndall AFB, Florida. This Hun was the last kill during William Tell '84, having a wing blown off by an AIM-7.
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That QF100 looks cool, Makes me want to go an buy a s/sabre…Greg
Go for it! I too am kind looking for a Hun now…
Hmmm… evilBay, here I come! [:p]
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Did they ever do a QF 105? i have a spare thud that i got as a kid and never built, its the airfix 2 seater i will have to send off for a canopy for it as it didn’t have one when i got it (what is it with canopies and kit manufacturers anyway ?) if they didn’t do you think it’ll make a good what if?..Greg
F-100’s as drones…mystery solved!
Thanks everyone. If I still build the Monogram kit in this scheme, I’ll try to post some pics.
Hi Logan your welcome mate, I’ll look forward to seeing it …Greg
Logan, do it to it, bud! [:p]
Hmmm… Gregers, I dunno if they ever did any QF-105’s, I’ll have to look and see.
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Hi Blackwolf…cheers mate it’ll be much appreciated…Greg
Doesn’t someone operate F-100 drones out of Mojave Airport? I think I remember seeing some there before.
JOIN THE AIR FORCE - SEE INTERESTING PLACES (from 40,000 feet, then be home for dinner)
JOIN THE NAVY - SEE INTERESTING PLACES (from the rail as you sail by in the night)
JOIN THE ARMY - SEE INTERESTING PALCES (but not until the shooting starts)
JOIN THE MARINES - HEAR ABOUT INTERESTING PLACES (from the sailors up on deck)