F-100D 'Triple Zilch'

[SimonCornes]

A straightforward question. Did F-100D-65-NA 63000 have the late airbrake with cutout for nuclear device or the early brake with straight cutout, if you know what I mean?

 

I am intrigued to know!!

 

Many thanks 

 

 

Simon

 

PS, as an afterthought, was it finished in aluminium paint or natural metal? I realise that natural metal aeroplanes may have been painted later on in their lives so the answer may be 'It depends when you are talking about' !!

[SimonCornes]

That's a hell of a pity on many levels Jennings. Maybe someone else will have the answer? I'm going to be using the Cutting Edge decal sheet if that makes any difference, timescale-wise?

[supersabre20]

I have a set of close up walk round pics of 63000, taken in 1958 / 59, which clearly show the airplane painted in aluminium. There are some photos taken at a Wethersfield  air show in the late 50's which show 63000 parked next to 53668, which was still in a natural metal finish, and you can see the difference in the finish.

Not sure about the speed brake, but given that all the pics I've seen of the 20th. TFW's F-100's had the cutout in the speed brake i would say that 63000 would have been the same. HTH  

[Tony T]

(removed as information unrelable. Only rear empennage and parts of pylons left in NMF).

 

Tony

Edited November 10, 2016 by Tony T

[supersabre20]

Just found a pic of 63000 on approach to Wethersfield during 1964 / 65, and it clearly shows the speed brake with the cutout, and the overall aluminium finish. HTH.

[Guest Airfixer]

Affirmative, aluminised finish.

As to the speed brake, it really depends on the timeframe: 1957-1962 -> early. 1962/63 onwards -> late speed brake.

 

Speed brake (post 1962/63):

http://www.supersabre.com/dbpics/56-3000-Pat-Miller-64e.jpg

 

Aluminised finish:

http://www.supersabre.com/dbpics/56-3000-Col-Raymond-Toliver.jpg

 

http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s649/Richard_Griffith1/SCAN_0013_zpscbd0f8a8.jpg

 

http://www.f-100.org/images/f-100d_63000.jpg

Edited November 10, 2016 by Airfixer

[SimonCornes]

Guys, thanks for the info. Sounds like we have sorted out the break and as for finish, well either is correct. Pity there aren't any photos when the airframe was younger, mind you it may not have had the famous markings at that point.

[Guest Airfixer]

When the 20th FBW started converting to the F-100D/F in June 1957, the Super Sabres were already sporting the overall aluminised finish. The colourful markings of 56-3000, however, have changed over the years.

The most colourful markings - the full monty -  were applied during the "Toliver period" from April 1957- June1959.

 

Provided the original picture captions are correct...

 

56-3000 during an open house at RAF Wethersfield in 1958:

http://www.supersabre.com/dbpics/56-3000-2.jpg

 

Col. Raymond F. Toliver, 20th FBW CO from 1957-1959, original picture caption states "1958":

http://www.supersabre.com/dbpics/56-3000-Col-Raymond-Toliver.jpg

 

Triple Zilch in 1959:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/5686428912_4036aeae0d_z.jpg

 

Triple Zilch in May 1960:

http://gb.fotolibra.com/images/previews/845369-f-100d-56-3000-triple-zilch.jpeg

Note: Without the prominent red flash and the large pilot/crew chief placard.

 

HTH

Erik