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Century Series Fighters — A Legacy of American Air Power

Buddy DoyleBy No Comments6 Mins Read
Century Series Fighters — A Legacy of American Air Power

By Richard Johnson

Posted in
#History

The Century Series jets came into being in the heady days after World War II. Aviation, and combat aviation specifically, evolved rapidly and breaking the sound barrier was one of the first achievements accomplished. Delta wing configurations and guided missiles were also developed. Many of the advanced technologies we have today were pioneered then.

Century Series refers to a group of U.S. Air Force jet fighters with model numbers in the 100s, developed during the 1950s and early 1960s. These supersonic jet fighters were a direct response to the demands of the Cold War, when the United States needed fast, powerful aircraft capable of countering Soviet threats. The Century Series introduced advanced technologies like afterburning turbojet engines, radar-guided missiles, and delta-wing designs, making them a crucial part of America’s air defense and strike capabilities during the early jet age.

There were a total of six Century Series fighters and interceptors that saw service in the United States Air Force. Image: U.S. Air Force

The six main aircraft in the Century Series were the F-100 Super Sabre, F-101 Voodoo, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-104 Starfighter, F-105 Thunderchief, and F-106 Delta Dart. Each played a unique role and marked a step forward in fighter aircraft development.

F-100 Super Sabre

The North American F-100 Super Sabre was the first U.S. Air Force fighter capable of supersonic speed in level flight. Built by North American Aviation, it entered service in 1954 and became the USAF’s first supersonic air superiority fighter. It was later adapted for fighter-bomber missions, including close air support.


The Air Force Century Series Fighters included the F-100 Super Sabre shown here. The F-100 saw combat action in the Vietnam War. These fighter jets aged and were adopted by the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.
An F-100D Super Sabre aircraft fires a salvo of 2.75-inch rockets against an enemy position in South Vietnam. Super Sabre pilots were noted for their accuracy with the supersonic fighter. Image: NARA

The F-100 saw extensive action in the Vietnam War, flying thousands of combat missions. Its early models had stability problems, but later versions improved performance and reliability. Known by pilots as the “Hun” (short for Hundred), the F-100 was eventually replaced by more advanced multirole aircraft, but it set the stage for future supersonic designs.

F-101 Voodoo

The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter, but it evolved into several roles, including tactical reconnaissance and nuclear strike missions. Built by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, it entered service in 1957.


Shown in this photograph are Century Series fighters F-101 Voodoo planes in formation.
Two F-101 Voodoo aircraft near Niagara Falls during exercise Sentry Castle ’81. The aircraft are assigned to the 136th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the New York Air National Guard. Image: NARA

The F-101B interceptor version was equipped with radar and air-to-air missiles for homeland defense under NORAD. The RF-101 variant played a major role in aerial reconnaissance, including operations over Cuba and Vietnam. Fast and powerful, the Voodoo had impressive speed and range, but it was eventually retired in favor of more modern interceptors.

F-102 Delta Dagger

The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was the first delta-wing interceptor in the USAF inventory. It was developed to counter Soviet strategic bombers and was part of the Air Defense Command during the height of the Cold War.


Here we see a F-102 Delta Dagger on the tarmac. It was used for testing by NACA — the organization that later became NASA.
An aviation pioneer, the F-102 Delta Dagger was a Century Series interceptor designed to counter the nuclear-capable bombers of the Soviet Union. Image: NASA

Powered by a single afterburning jet engine, the F-102 was equipped with internal missile bays carrying Falcon air-to-air missiles and nuclear-tipped rockets. Its role was to intercept and destroy incoming enemy aircraft under all weather conditions. Though it was not particularly fast or maneuverable, it played a vital role in continental air defense until the F-106 replaced it.

F-104 Starfighter

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a radical departure from earlier fighters. Nicknamed the “missile with a man in it,” the F-104 featured a needle-nose design, short wings, and a powerful engine that allowed it to reach speeds over Mach 2.


Century Series interceptor F-104 Starfighters were essentially piloted missiles. They were intended as interceptors.
F-104A on the ramp at Edwards AFB. The aircraft is shown with the Air Launched Sounding Rocket (ALSOR) attached to the underside. Image: NASA

Built by Lockheed Aircraft Company, the F-104 entered service in 1958 and served as an interceptor and fighter-bomber. Although it had an excellent rate of climb and top speed, it was criticized for its poor low-speed handling and high accident rate. While the USAF retired the aircraft quickly, many NATO allies used it for decades. Countries such as Germany, Italy, and Canada adopted the F-104 for their air forces.

F-105 Thunderchief

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was the largest single-engine fighter ever used by the USAF. Designed as a nuclear strike aircraft, it evolved into a conventional fighter-bomber during the Vietnam War. Nicknamed the “Thud,” it carried heavy bomb loads at high speed and low altitude.


A Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber parked on an airbase flight line under a clear sky, showcasing its distinctive sleek fuselage, swept wings, and large air intake beneath the nose; the aircraft is painted in a Southeast Asia camouflage pattern used during the Vietnam War, with visible ordnance pylons under the wings and fuselage, emphasizing its role as a supersonic tactical strike aircraft used by the United States Air Force for bombing missions and Wild Weasel operations in the 1960s and 1970s.
F-105 Thunderchief fighters of the 507th Tactical Fighter Group parked on the flight line. The 507th was based at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. Image: NARA

Built by Republic Aviation, the F-105 entered service in 1958. It became the backbone of tactical bombing missions in Southeast Asia. Despite being heavily armed and fast, the F-105 suffered high losses due to ground fire and surface-to-air missiles. It was eventually replaced by aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom II, but its role in the war was significant.

F-106 Delta Dart

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was an advanced interceptor developed from the F-102. Entering service in 1959, the F-106 featured a more powerful engine, better aerodynamics, and modern radar and missile systems. It became the primary continental defense interceptor for the Air Force throughout the 1960s and 1970s.


A Convair F-106 Delta Dart interceptor jet parked on a concrete ramp at a U.S. Air Force base, with its sharply pointed nose cone, smooth delta wing design, and distinctive single vertical tail fin clearly visible; the aircraft is painted in standard Air Defense Command gray with USAF roundels on the fuselage and tail, and features a closed bubble canopy, air-to-air missile launch bays beneath the fuselage, and long, clean lines designed for high-speed interception missions during the Cold War; in the background, support equipment and a clear blue sky hint at peacetime readiness, emphasizing the F-106's role as the Air Force’s premier all-weather interceptor from the late 1950s through the 1980s.
An air-to-air right rear view of two F-106 Delta Dart aircraft from the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Image: NARA

Equipped with air-to-air missiles and a nuclear-tipped Genie rocket, the F-106 could automatically intercept enemy bombers using its radar and fire-control system. Although it was never used in combat, the Delta Dart had a long service life, particularly with the Air National Guard, and remained operational into the 1980s.

Conclusion

The Century Series of fighters represented a leap forward in jet technology, speed, and mission capability. These aircraft helped the United States Air Force transition from subsonic fighters to supersonic, missile-armed platforms suited for the nuclear age. Each aircraft in the series served a different role, from air defense to nuclear strike to reconnaissance and ground attack.

While newer aircraft like the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon eventually replaced the Century Series, the legacy of these fighters remains strong. They helped define an era of Cold War aviation and paved the way for the modern multirole jet fighters that dominate today’s air forces.

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