Nearly a year after its last flight, one of only two airworthy North American F-100F Super Sabres in the world returned to the skies this past weekend. The aircraft, USAF serial number 56-3844 (civil registration N26AZ), is owned by the Collings Foundation and is operated by the Vietnam War Flight Museum in Houston, Texas. The flight was piloted by museum curator and veteran warbird pilot Rick Sharpe, who brought the two-seat jet back into the air following several years of dedicated restoration work. In the rear cockpit, Jack Jones, one of the museum’s A&P-qualified volunteers, monitored aircraft systems during the check flight.
The return to flight is part of the process of preparing the aircraft for the 2026 airshow season. This follows the recent announcement that Fighterjets Inc. will represent the Collings Foundation and Vietnam War Flight Museum jet fleet during the upcoming season. The lineup is expected to bring several historic aircraft to airshows across the United States, including the F-4 Phantom II, F-100 Super Sabre, Messerschmitt Me 262, A-4 Skyhawk, and A-1 Skyraider. The planned demonstrations will include historic solo displays as well as rare dissimilar formations, including the anticipated pairing of the F-100 Super Sabre with the MiG-17—an aerial combination that evokes the air combat environment of the Vietnam War.
This particular F-100F represents an important chapter in aviation history. Designed as the tandem-seat trainer variant of the famed “Hun,” the Super Sabre served extensively during the Vietnam War. The two-seat F-model was frequently used in the “Fast FAC” (Forward Air Controller) role, commonly known as “Misty FAC” missions. These high-risk operations involved flying low and fast over hostile territory to identify targets, coordinate search-and-rescue efforts, and assist strike aircraft. The F-100F was also the first aircraft type to serve in the pioneering “Wild Weasel” suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) role.
The aircraft departed Ellington Field near Houston on Saturday, March 14, at approximately 4:14 p.m., completing a roughly 20-minute flight in the local area. According to sources involved with the flight, no issues were reported during the sortie. The Super Sabre had been scheduled to appear at the 2026 Shaw Air & Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, on March 28–29. However, the event has since been postponed due to unforeseen mission requirements and other unavoidable circumstances. Aviation enthusiasts will instead have an opportunity to see the aircraft at the upcoming Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, scheduled for April 14–19 at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Florida, where the historic jet is expected to be among the highlights of the event. It’s inspiring to see three organizations — FIGHTERJETS INC., the Collings Foundation, and the Vietnam War Flight Museum — join forces to preserve these iconic aircraft. Together, they continue the mission of honoring the men and women who flew and maintained them, while bringing history to life for new generations and keeping the legacy of these legendary airplanes alive.
