F-100 Super Sabre Back In the Air!

The F‑100F Super Sabre’s Memorial Day Return: Revival of Tribute and Craft

On Memorial Day 2025, history took flight above Houston as the Collings Foundation’s North American F‑100F Super Sabre, serial‑unique and supersonic, soared once more. Piloted by Rick Sharpe of the Vietnam War Flight Museum in Houston, TX, this rare Cold War warbird joined a solemn formation to honor America’s fallen service members. It wasn’t just an aerial display—it was a convergence of remembrance, engineering, and sustained legacy.

Why the F-100 Super Sabre Matters

The F‑100F, part of the Century Series born from 1950s jets, symbolized early supersonic shift in military aviation. Developed from earlier aircraft such as the F-86 Sabre to meet new military needs, the F-100 demonstrates the evolution of jet fighters during this era. It’s a physical tribute tied to craftsmanship’s endurance, a living artifact maintained by people who understand its mechanics and history.

The North American F-100 was the United States Air Force’s first operational supersonic fighter, entering service in 1954. Built around a powerful Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet, it could exceed Mach 1 in level flight and introduced swept-wing aerodynamics to USAF tactical aviation. The F-100 was originally envisioned as a successor to the F-86 Sabre air superiority fighter. The F-100 entered USAF service on 27 September 1954. The F-100 was exported to several NATO air forces and other U.S. allies, including the Turkish Air Force and the Republic of China Air Force.

Air Force Primary Roles:

• Tactical Fighter: Air-to-air engagements, using its four 20 mm cannons and, later, Sidewinder missiles.
• Fighter-Bomber: Carrying up to 7,040 lb of bombs, rockets, and napalm on four underwing pylons for close air support and interdiction missions.

Air Force Operational Use:

• Cold War Deterrence: Deployed in Europe and Asia to reinforce NATO and Pacific bases, projecting supersonic capability near potential flashpoints.
• Vietnam War: From 1961 onward, F-100Ds and F-100Fs flew thousands of combat sorties—providing close air support, strike escort, and “Fast FAC” (Forward Air Control) duties.
• Training & Transition: Its handling characteristics made it a bridge between subsonic jets and later supersonic fighters; many USAF fighter pilots cut their teeth on the Super Sabre.

The F-100 saw extensive combat use during the Vietnam War before being replaced by the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. By the late 1960s the F-100 began giving way to newer platforms (F-4 Phantom II, A-7 Corsair II), but its combination of speed, payload, and adaptability left a lasting mark on USAF tactical doctrine and laid groundwork for modern multi-role fighters.

A Symbol in Flight

Accounts from World Warbird News and Vintage Aviation News note the flight was both rare and purposeful—one of only two airworthy F‑100Fs globally, chosen for Houston’s Memorial Day sky tribute. Such commemorative flights are often scheduled in May and June, aligning with Memorial Day and other remembrance events. That decision added depth: juxtaposing past sacrifices with newer eras of service, reminding spectators that remembrance is continuous.

Behind-the-Scenes Dedication

Sharpe and team balanced historical authenticity with modern safety. That blend—old-school engineering guided by contemporary regulation—mirrors a broader challenge: how do we preserve technical artifacts without letting them become untouchable museum pieces? The jet was equipped with modern avionics which will make the airplane safer to fly and also make sure that it's able to meet modern airspace standards like ADS-B out.

The F-100 in Air National Guard Service

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the North American F-100 formed the backbone of numerous Air National Guard (ANG) fighter wings. As the USAF’s first operational supersonic fighter, the F-100 brought cutting-edge performance to state-based units, where its versatility proved invaluable. ANG pilots flew the Super Sabre in both tactical fighter and fighter-bomber roles—providing close air support, tactical interdiction, and rapid-reaction air defense. The type was operated by the Air National Guard until 1979.

Equipped with four underwing hardpoints and an internal 20 mm cannon, ANG F-100s carried bombs, rockets, and later, early air-to-air missiles. This flexibility allowed Guard squadrons to train for a spectrum of missions: from NATO deployments in Europe to homeland readiness exercises. In the Vietnam era, many ANG pilots even volunteered for active-duty combat tours, flying F-100Ds over Southeast Asia.

By the late 1970s, advances in avionics and armament drove a shift in ANG inventories. The all-weather McDonnell F-4 Phantom II offered greater payload and radar capability, while the subsonic LTV A-7D Corsair II delivered improved bombing accuracy. In the 1980s, the Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II—designed specifically for tank busting and close air support—further modernized Guard fighter-bomber units.

Though the F-100 faded from front-line service, its legacy endures: it forged the tactical mindset and operational expertise that ANG squadrons carried into the jet age’s next chapter. Today’s Guard units continue to draw on lessons learned flying the Super Sabre, honoring a platform that bridged the gap between early supersonic fighters and modern combat aircraft.

The F‑100F on Display: Museum Exhibits and Public Memory

Step into the museum’s historic hangar and you’re greeted by the unmistakable silhouette of the North American F-100F Super Sabre—a warbird aircraft that bridges the gap between World War II legends and the jet age’s supersonic speed. This particular F-100F, USAF #56-3844, stands as a testament to the United States Air Force’s evolution and the enduring legacy of those who flew and maintained these remarkable machines.

More than just a fighter capable of high speed and agility, the F-100F on display once soared over Southeast Asia, stationed at Phu Cat Air Base during the Vietnam War. As a Misty FAC (Forward Air Controller) aircraft, it played a pivotal role in some of the most daring missions, guiding strikes and braving ground fire over North and South Vietnam. Pilots like Gen. Merrill McPeak and Gen. Ronald Fogleman once sat in its cockpit, flying low altitude sorties that demanded both skill and courage. Equipped with M-39 20mm cannons and able to carry air to air missiles and non-nuclear weapons, the Super Sabre was a formidable presence—its supersonic speed in level flight and robust design making it a vital asset in combat, even as enemy action and ground fire claimed many of its peers.

The F-100F’s journey didn’t end with the Vietnam War. In its later years, it served with the Air National Guard, continuing to fly missions and train new generations of pilots. Today, its story is preserved not just in history books, but in the gleaming panels and restored cockpit you can see up close. The museum’s restoration team has returned this aircraft to its original glory, meticulously repairing and maintaining every detail—from the thrust of its engines to the intricate controls in the cockpit. Each rivet and paint stripe is a tribute to the craftsmanship and dedication that keep aviation history alive.

But the F-100F is just one highlight in a collection that spans decades of flight. The museum’s warbird aircraft—fighters, bombers, helicopters—each tell their own story of innovation, bravery, and sacrifice. Whether you’re tracing the arc of aviation from World War II to the Vietnam War, or marveling at the evolution of weapons and technology, the exhibits offer a rare chance to connect with the past. Here, history isn’t locked behind glass; it’s tangible, restored, and ready to inspire.

The museum’s schedule is filled with opportunities to engage: from educational workshops and lectures to airshows and fly-ins that bring these vintage aircraft roaring back to life. Staff and volunteers, passionate about aviation history, are always on hand to share stories and answer questions, making every visit a journey through time.

For historians, researchers, and anyone captivated by the power and beauty of flight, the F-100F and its fellow warbirds are more than static displays—they are living reminders of the courage, innovation, and teamwork that shaped the course of world events. The museum’s commitment to restoration and public education ensures that the legacy of the Super Sabre, and all who flew it, will continue to soar for generations to come.

The Challenge of Restoration and Legacy

In an era celebrating automation and computer screens, the F‑100F reminds us that not all value lies in what’s cutting-edge. Some lies in what’s sustained, in knowledge passed down by technicians, in metal and wings that carried purpose decades ago and now carry memory.

What's Next

Flyovers, educational events, and possible return to airshows await. Each outing renews public connection to service, history, and mechanics.

Final Thought

The F‑100F Super Sabre wasn’t just airborne—it was a living tribute. Across digital timelines and cloud-based transformation, here’s a jet maintained and flown by human dedication. A reminder that honoring sacrifice takes more than ceremony—it takes consistent effort, craft, and the courage to keep flying memory into our skies.

Some information for this story is based on the article by Moreno Aguiari published on May 30, 2025 in Vintage Aviation News: https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-news/collings-foundations-f-100f-super-sabre-returns-to-flight-at-vietnam-war-flight-museum.html and World Warbird News: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2025/06/01/collings-foundations-f-100f-super-sabre-returns-to-the-skies/