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 NASA for experimental testing of the control system for the X-15 and high speed research flights.