North American F-107A
The F-107 was designed for an Air Force competition to select a new all-weather fighter-bomber. The design originated as a redesigned F-100, but it quickly became apparent that the Air Force’s request for an internal bomb bay would require an all-new design. North American’s design incorporated a unique overhead jet intake to allow for carrying weapons partially submerged in the aircraft’s belly. The first flight of the F-107 was on September 10, 1956. The F-107’s competitor for the Air Force contract was the Republic F-105. While both aircraft performed very well the decision eventually came down on the side of the F-105 primarily because it had a full internal bomb bay while the F-107 did not. After Air Force testing ended two of the F-107 prototypes were turned over to National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) for experimental testing of the control system for the X-15 and high speed research flights.
Service History
Manufactured by North American Aviation, Inglewood, California, and delivered to the U.S. Air Force on October 3, 1956. It is the first F-107 built.
September 1956 First flight conducted by North American Aviation test pilot Robert Baker at Edwards AFB, California.
October 1956 Beginning of Air Force testing, Edwards AFB, California.
November 1957 Transferred to NACA, Edwards AFB, California.
June 1958 Returned to North American and placed in storage.
1960s Placed in storage at Norton AFB, California.
June 1974 Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.