High
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Military Aircraft F-107A Photo By Coll Thouanel |
| In 1953 North American began work on the F-100B version of the F-100 Super Sabre's as a tactical fighter bomber with Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojet replacing the Super Sabre's less powerful J57 from the same company. The concept was steadily revised away from its Super Sabre origins, though the basic wing and tail plane were retained. To reflect this fact the type was redesignated F-107A, and the first of three prototypes flew in September 1956. The powerful turbojet was located in the rear fuselage, but the nose inlet of the F-100 was replaced by a massive VAID (Variable Area Inlet Duct). Located above and behind the cockpit, and largely responsible for the F107A's singular appearance, this had a central splitter plate and two variable ramps to slow the airflow reaching the engine at supersonic speeds. The flight control system was also very advance, with the all moving slab vertical and horizontal tail surfaces complemented by a combination of spoilers and slot type deflectors for roll control. The program was terminated in 1957, when it was decided to produce the Republic F-105 in the F-107's designed role. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: North American | Length: 60 ft. 10 in. |
| First Flight: September 1956 | Height: 19 ft. 8 in. |
| Model: A | Wing Span: 36 ft. 7 in. |
| Crew: One. | Wing Area: |
| Nickname: | Empty Weight: |
| Basic Role: Tactical strike and attack aircraft. | Max. Weight: 48,950 lb. |
| Other Versions: USA. | Armament: (planned) four 20-mm cannon, and up to 10,000 lb of disposable stores carried under the fuselage and wings |
| Principal User: F-107A prototypes only. |
Propulsion |
|
Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney YJ75-P-9 turbojet. |
| Range: 1,486 mph or Mach 2.25 at 36,000 ft. | Horsepower: 24,500-lb reheated thrust. |
| Max. Speed: 600 mph | No. Of Engines: One |
| Ceiling: 48,000 ft | |
| Climb Rate: |