Ex USAF 53-1709. After use with NASA the aircraft was donated to the San Jose State University and used for maintenance instruction at the university's aviation campus at San Jose Airport. In 2004 the aircraft was moved to Castle AFB and is now preserved there as '55-2879', representing a F-100D. Photographer unknown

The first F-100C spent its life as a NASA research aircraft, receiving an F-100D tailfin at some point as seen here. Preserved at Castle Air Museum as "55-2879". Photo from: NASA

Falsely painted as USAF F-100D 55-2879, this is actually the first production F-100C, USAF 53-1709. This aircraft was officially delivered to the USAF on 29 Oct 1954 but made its first flight on 17 Jan 1955. It was transferred to NACA (later NASA) on 4 Sep 1956, and retired in 1972 (last registration used was N703NA). In Sep 1972 it was donated to the San Jose State University for use as an instructional airframe. It stayed there until moved to the Castle Air Museum in 2003/2004, where it was restored in the fake markings seen here. It was first noted on display as such in Dec 2004.