<article><hdr>Ground shot of a F-100 Super Sabre</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The F-100 Super Sabre was the first of the highly successful Century Series of aircraft which were produced in substantial numbers for ground attack and air defence. The North American F-100 had the distinction of being the first operational fighter capable of level supersonic flight. The Super Sabre was developed from the F-86 as a supersonic interceptor and fighter bomber with four internal cannons and provision for all manner of weaponry on underwing hardpoints. The F-100 was widely used by Tactical Air Command in the USA, as well as seeing service in Europe and the Pacific. The Super Sabre was also selected to be aircraft flown by the US Air Force showpiece demonstration team The Thunderbirds. The aircraft were painted in a very striking red, white and blue colour scheme with thirteen stars on the tail. The F-100 was also flown by the USAFE volunteer team The Skyblazers from the 36th TFW at Bitburg, Germany whose markings were similar.</hi>
