North American F-100 Super Sabre
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Улучшенный вариант тактического истребителя-бомбардировщика должен был получить обозначение F-100B, однако обозначение изменили на YF-107A и построили всего три его прототипа с ТРДФ J75. После того, как самолетами Super Sabre укомплектовали два авиакрыла ВВС США, участились летные происшествия, связанные с инерционным вращением, из-за чего пришлось вносить радикальные изменения в конструкцию крыла и вертикального оперения.
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Ответом компании «North American» на появление Republic F-105 стал истребитель F-107A. В этой машине была сделана попытка устранить недостатки F-100. А главными отличиями стали регулируемый надфюзеляжный воздухозаборник, киль большой площади и управление по крену с помощью интерцепторов. Были построены три прототипа, однако в серию пошла машина компании «Republic».
Второй опытный экземпляр истребителя-бомбардировщика North American F-107A (зав. № 55-5119). Испытательная авиабаза Эдвардс (США), 1957 г. Под фюзеляжем подвешен конформный 250-галонный дополнительный топливный бак.
North American's Mach 2 fighter-bomber, the F-107A, was cancelled before reaching production, and one aircraft of the three built has been turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics for test purposes. The overhead air intake was designed to provide maximum efficiency for the Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojet, which is in the 20,000-lb.s.t. class.
Первый экземпляр F-107A (зав. № 55-5118) в испытательном полете
The incredible North American F-107 first flew on September 10, 1954 with much the same format as the OS-130 entry.
The third aircraft, 55-5120, goes over the top in a loop. The four ports for the 20mm cannon are beneath the canopy. Note also the semi-recessed weapons/fuel store under the centreline.
Взлетает второй экземпляр F-107A (зав. № 55-5119)
Истребитель-бомбардировщик F-107A и его "предок" F-100A
Первый экземпляр F-107A во время пребывания в летно-исследовательском центре NACA. 6 ноября 1957 г.
The YF-107A was not a small aeroplane. Light aircraft in the background at Inglewood, California, help to lend scale to 55-5120’s 61ft 10in (18.84m) length.
On June 11, 1957 YF-107A 55118 was delivered to NACA at Edwards, becoming NACA 207. After only four flights it was grounded, being replaced by 55-5120.
The sleek frontal lines of the YF-107A are apparent in this view. Note the splitter plate within the engine intake.
Третий экземпляр F-107A (зав. № 55-5120)
Первый экземпляр F-107A во время доработок в NACA. 9 апреля 1958 г.
A photograph from Thomas M Barette (Tour Director, Pima Air Museum, Tucson, Arizona) showing the present state of North American F-107A c/n 212-1, USAF serial 55-5118.
Pima Air Museum’s 55-5118 undergoing restoration.
Приборная доска самолета F-107A
Третий экземпляр F-107A (зав. № 55-5120) после аварии 1 сентября 1959 г.
Полноразмерный макет истребителя-бомбардировщика F-107A
Early artist’s concept of what the F-107 would look like. Note the similarity with the F-100.
F-100 and F-107 comparison.
North American Navy fighter project, which is thought to be the company's submission to OS-130. This drawing has been put together from two photographs of a manufacturer’s model.
MACH 2 FIGHTER. This drawing gives some indication of what the North American F-107 fighter will look like. In the plan view it resembles the F-100. Side and head-on views show the bifurcated dorsal air intake that feeds the P. & W. J75 turbojet.
NORTH AMERICAN F-107A. One of the world's fastest aircraft is the North American F-107, which is claimed to be capable of a speed of Mach 2 in level flight. Apart from the unusual position of the air intakes the aircraft resembles its predecessor, the F-100, in many ways. In addition to an all-movable horizontal tailplane it has an all-moving fin. A spoiler system for lateral control during high-speed manoeuvres consists of hinged doors on the upper and lower wing skins that control the passage of air over these surfaces. The overhead air duct was designed to provide maximum efficiency for the Pratt & Whitney J75 turbojet engine, which provides more than 20,000 lb. thrust. The F-107 will not be produced as it was dropped in favour of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Three prototypes were constructed, and two have been turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (the third is now in the National Air Museum), and will be used for supersonic testing and compilation of research data at Edwards Air Force Base. Studies scheduled include investigating control characteristics of an aeroplane with an all-movable fin, in-flight evaluation of the dorsal air inlets for the engine, and a general analysis of the flying qualities of the F-107 which incorporates many new ideas in control systems. General performance reveals that it flies in the region of Mach 2 in both level and climbing flight and exceeds Mach I in a vertical climb. Maximum air speed is in excess of 1,300 m.p.h.
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