Huge North American F-107A Desk Model 55118 Experimental Century Series Fighter For Sale -

Huge North American F-107A Desk Model 55118 Experimental Century Series Fighter

Edwards AFB Rare Large Wooden Model test plane -- VAID Variable Area Inlet Duct

This model is beautiful. Please refer to pictures to assist you in determining condition of the desk model. I have tried to photograph areas where they may be a small scratch in the paint like on the leading edge of the left wing or a small mark in the cockpit glass above the left shoulder where the pilot would sit. The is a scratch in the stand on the flat area behind the tail...tiny marks on the paint in some areas...but overall a great example of an original desk model from when the program was active. I will give you dimensions of this huge model below. Please ask any all questions before offerding

To get an idea of how big this wooden model is, check out these measurements:

30 1/2\" long from the back of the base to the tip of the pitot boom -- 1ft tall from table to top point of the model -- 29 1/2\" Tail top to tip of pitot boom -- 16 1/2\" Wingtip to Wingtip -- 17 1/2\" long is the base & 6 1/4\" tall

Belly tank is 9 1/2\" -- the USA decals on the tops of the wings are 2 1/2\" long

There are also four gunpoints under the canopy down on the sides of this jet (2) on each side

This is a big airplane that needs to be well protected in a large shipping box...shipping fees will reflect that fact - I will not skimp on protecting this great model to save a few dollars in transit

I will not send this aircraft to International destinations without an agreement understood before an International customers offer on what the costs will be. The Model will be shipped Internationally only with Priority service where

tracking and insurance is rock solid and you will personally sign for the package

A Short History about the North American Aviation F-107AAirplane: In June 1953, North American initiated an in-house study ofadvanced F-100 designs, leading to proposed interceptor (NAA 211: F-100offerenoting \"interceptor\") and fighter-bomber (NAA 212: F-100B)variants. Concentrating on the F-100B, the preliminary engineering and designwork focused on a tactical fighter-bomber configuration, featuring a recessedweapons bay under the fuselage and provision for six hardpoints underneath thewings. Single-point refueling capability was provided while a retractabletailskid was installed.An all-moving vertical fin and an automated flightcontrol system was incorporated which permitted the aircraft to roll atsupersonic speeds using spoilers. The flight control system was upgraded by theaddition of pitch and yaw dampers. The aircraft\'s most distinguishing feature is itsdorsal-mounted variable-area inlet duct (VAID). While the VAID was at the timea system unique to the F-107A, it is now considered to be an early form ofvariable geometry intake ramp which automatically controlled the amount of airfed to the jet engine.Although the preliminary design of the air intake wasoriginally located in a chin position under the fuselage (an arrangement lateradopted for the F-16), the air intake was eventually mounted in an unconventionalposition directly above and just behind the cockpit. The VAID system proved tobe very efficient and NAA used the design concept on their A-5 Vigilante, XB-70Valkyrie and XF-108 Rapier designs.The air intake was inthe unusual dorsal location as the USAF had required the carriage of anunderbelly semi-conformal nuclear weapon. The original chin intake caused ashock wave that interfered in launching this weapon. The implications this hadfor the survivability of the pilot during ejection were troubling. The intakealso severely limited rear visibility. Nonetheless this was not consideredterribly important for a tactical fighter-bomber aircraft, and furthermore itwas assumed at the time that air combat would be via guided missile exchangesoutside visual range. In August 1954, acontract was signed for three prototypes along with a pre-production order forsix additional airframes.