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Five of the most effective and tactically successful Super Sabre squadrons in Vietnam were from the Air National Guard. This included the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the Colorado Air National Guard, the 136th TFS of the New York Air National Guard, the 174th TFS of the Iowa Air National Guard and the 188th TFS of the New Mexico Air National Guard. The fifth unit was a regular AF squadron manned by mostly air national guardsmen. I think these facts help dispel a common myth during the Viet Nam war, that people went into the Guard and Reserves to avoid service in Viet Nam. These Guard units kicked some serious ass over there.

This is one of the North American F-100 Super Sabres of the Air National Guard in Tucson, circa the 1960’s.

North American F-100 Saber.

I was a Tactical Air Controller in Vietnam and I have scrambled many of these aircraft on tactical air strikes in Vietnam. A number of these F-100 pilots came to work in the Tac Air Control Center and we became friends. They were stationed at Phan Rang AB Vietnam. In 70 and 71 I scrambled hundreds of them on air strikes. They were very good tactical air support aircraft. I could tell many stories of those air strikes.

What is the piece above the spine/wing? I've never seen those before. It appears to be something to do with maintenance but I have no clue.

Tested on the Lead Sled at Shepard AFB Aircraft Tech School back in '70. Was a cool aircraft, easy to work on.

I think it's a film photo, if so it's really good work.

The F-86 was the Saber; @Chris has it right -- this is the
North American F-100 Super Sabre

As an Aur Traffic Controllerat Tuy Hoa AB, RVN (Feb '68 - Feb '69) we were fortunate to provide service to both the NY and NM Air National Guard during their deployment. However let's not rewrite history, in fact many if not most who joined the Reserves and National Guard (primarily Army) did so to avoid the "draft".

I believe you’re asking about the cover (can’t remember the correct term) sitting aft of the hydraulic bay while the system is being inspected.

Thanks, Diana. Yes, this was a frame from a roll of 2 ¼ b/w film I was using on the flight line that day! I have a full frame of the same airplane if I can find it!

Thank you KA2GEH for your service and submittal of this great historical photo.

Jim Quin, that panel laying on the spine is the cover for the hydraulic systems. It is opened only before the first flight of the day so that the pilot and crew chief can run a check of the hydraulic systems. Subsequent flights do not require it.

My Dad was at Tucson ANG as a mechanic from 1957-1966. He was crew chief for F-100A-5, 52-5777. Would you by chance have any photos of that aircraft? I

f-100 bad ass plane, bad ass shot

Bye gone days to remember…

This two seater is likely an F-100F model. A better view of the vertical stabilizer would tell for sure. The panel in question over the fuselage was called the "saddle" by some and covered the ARN-6 loop antenna (ADF) among other things. I remember our 31st TFW sending 305th TFS single seat D models to 'Nam in '64. The wing had only a few F models and used for training. Anyone remember opening the hood (avionics bay) in front of the windscreen single handedly?

Superb airplane I remember them at RAF Wheatherfield England at the Armed forces displays in the late 1950s . The Skyblazers display team also flew them. Happy days long ago but not forgotten.

The 162nd ANG squadron at KTUS still keeps an F-100 Super Sabre outside the station's entrance!