Airworks, a leader in air compression technology, is taking on a remarkable mission to preserve a vital piece of aviation history. The company donated a North American F-100F Super Sabre, registered as N418FS, to the Fort Worth Aviation Museum (FWAM) in Fort Worth, Texas. This meaningful gesture not only safeguards a Cold War-era jet but also honors the service and sacrifices of military veterans.
Chairman and Executive Director
Originally acquired at auction in 2020, N418FS will become part of FWAM’s prestigious aircraft collection. The museum plans to showcase the Super Sabre as both a historic exhibit and a powerful educational tool, highlighting its role in advancing military aviation and its service during the Vietnam War. As with many aircraft of historical importance, the team at Aerial Visuals has provided a detailed lineage of the jet. This particular F-100F, construction number 243-272 and military serial number GT-996, boasts an impressive legacy that spans both military duty and civilian operation.
Military Career
Built in the mid-1950s, this Super Sabre was accepted into the U.S. Air Force around 1956 and assigned serial number 56-3996. It was later transferred to the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF), where it flew as GT-996. During its Danish service, the aircraft was part of Eskadrille 730 at Skrydstrup Air Base and sported an overall olive drab paint scheme. A notable photo taken at RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on July 31, 1982, captures the aircraft in this configuration.
Transition to Civilian Life
Following its retirement from military service, the jet entered the civilian sector under the registration N3251S, later updated to N418FS in May 1989 when it received its certificate of airworthiness. In the early 1990s, the aircraft was documented at Mojave, California, operated by USAF/Tracor Flight Systems Inc. Ownership changed hands in 2003 to Big Sky Warbirds LLC of Belgrade, Montana, though the aircraft remained based at Mojave. It was last photographed at the airport in April 2009, and a renewed certificate of airworthiness was issued on January 1, 2010. However, the aircraft’s civilian registration was officially cancelled on April 3, 2021. Over the decades, GT-996/N418FS has been meticulously chronicled by aviation historians and enthusiasts, preserving its story through photographs and historical records.
A Collective Effort to Preserve History
The transfer of this aircraft to FWAM is made possible thanks to a dedicated team led by Jim Hodgson, Chairman and Executive Director of the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, and benefactor Laird Leavoy, along with a cadre of volunteers, F-100 experts, and passionate aviation supporters. Together, they are working to ensure this Super Sabre finds a permanent home where it can inspire and educate future generations. Once it arrives at the museum, the F-100F will stand as a tribute to both Cold War aviation innovation and the brave individuals who served during its era. For more information about the Fort Worth Aviation Museum, visit www.fortworthaviationmuseum.com.
