Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

YF-100A “Super Sabre”

North American

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

1. YF-100A “Super Sabre” Marker

Inscription. The F-100 was the USAF’s first operational aircraft capable of flying faster than the speed of sound (760 mph) in level flight. The prototype YF-100A made its initial flight on 25 May 1953 and the first production aircraft was completed in October 1953. Several world records for speed were set by F-100s flying from Edwards AFB. In October 1953, the prototype set a world speed record of 755 mph at low altitude and in 1955 an F-100C set a high altitude world speed record of 822.135 mph. Designed originally to destroy enemy aircraft in aerial combat, the F-100 later became a fighter-bomber. North American built 2,294 F-100s before production ended in 1959. The USAF flew F-100s in Vietnam and many were flown by foreign Air Forces including Denmark, Taiwan and Turkey.

The YF100A was the second of two prototypes built, making its first flight in October 1953. It is the oldest Super Sabre in existence. The aircraft was on display on a pedestal at Keesler AFB, MS for over 35 years and was acquired by the AFFTC Museum in 2001. It was restored by the 412th Test Wing Surfaces Team in 2007.

On Loan from the National Museum of

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the USAF

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military.

Location. 34° 52.264′ N, 117° 59.465′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is on Rosamond Boulevard 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east. Located in Century Circle, outside the West Gate of Edwards AFB. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

in the Mojave Desert,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: F-101B “Voodoo”

YF-100A “Super Sabre” and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

2. YF-100A “Super Sabre” and Marker

(here, next to this marker); TF-102A “Delta Dagger” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-104A “Starfighter” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-106B “Delta Dart” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-105D “Thunderchief” (within shouting distance of this marker); YC-15 (within shouting distance of this marker); YA-10B (approx. 4.9 miles away); NF-4C "Phantom II" (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Also see . . . Museum Website. Includes Century Circle and other museum locations, an aircraft inventory, and plans for the future museum. (Submitted on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)

Additional keywords. Air Force Flight Test Museum, Flight Test Historical Foundation

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

3. YF-100A “Super Sabre” Marker

Century Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

4. Century Circle

YF-100A “Super Sabre” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2018

5. YF-100A “Super Sabre”

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 973 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on November 5, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.