Masters of the 'Hun'

摘要

Twelfth jet ace of the Korean War, Major William H Wescott, became an Air Training Command Project Officer and helped to introduce the early F-100A into USAF service. "I first viewed a mock-up of what was to become theF-100A during a B visit to the North American factory in 1953. It was a huge and obviously heavy fighter, and a far cry from the lightweight fighters we needed at the time. I felt that it was destined to become a fighter-bomber. "The first series of F-100As had several basic flaws. Firstly, it didn't have adequate directional control authority. Secondly, the J57 engine compressor stalled. Thirdly, the wheel brakes were very sensitive and could easily lock-up and blow tyres. "Next, the hydraulic-powered flight control system pumps didn't provide the pressure needed under certain operational conditions and finally, the afterburner eyelids, which were supposed to close when the burner was shut off, remained open, reducing the military power thrust available.