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
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