North American F-100G

by Bud Sliger

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Silly Week 2008

 

F-100G “22+66”

JFBS-114 'Aardvarks'

Diepholze AB

1988  

 

Germany’s involvement with the F-100 started in late 1979 when 18 aircraft (12 Ds and 6 Fs) were acquired from the Danish air force, upon which they were pressed briefly into front-line service, replacing F-104s in the ground attack role until sufficient Tornados could be acquired.  After being phased out of combat service in ’81 a few found there way into the Luftwaffe’s R&D use, where they were used to test various improvements for the F-4F and Tornado.

 

When the aircraft first entered service they received a full overhaul by both Rockwell Aviation and MBB, this included the cockpit (which received a new center console CRT), Airframe, Weapons carriage (Deleted two 20mm cannon for extra black boxes), and the Engine.  The newly refurbished aircraft received the standard Luftwaffe 3-tone camo and markings. Eventually a handful of aircraft received a redesigned engine in the form of the J57-BMW29, which included various elements designed for the EJ-200 engine.  

Click on images below to see larger images

  

The F-100 had a leading role in the development of the EFA, specifically the gun bay design and the gun exhaust gas vent system.  These aircraft were fitted with a pair of 27mm Mauser cannons for a series of trials.  It was also used in testing various modifications to the ECM and Countermeasures pods for the Tornado, and used in LGB trials.

 

After being used for 6 years the aircraft were retired from R&D work, 8 aircraft were used to form Germany’s only dedicated Adversary sqn, JFBS-114.  Known as the ‘Aardvarks’, they not only performed DACM but also did electronic simulations for the German Navy and for NATO exercises.  The handful of F-100s soldiered on in this role until ’92 when airframe fatigue caused their retirement.

Bud 

Photos and text © by Bud Sliger