First flew as a JF-107A at Edwards AFB, CA in 1956. Redesignatged as an F-107A and loaned to NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) as NACA 207 in 1957/8. Then transferred to NASA in 1959. Fitted with the rear section of 55-5120 then stored with Tallmantz Aviation at Orange County, CA in the 1960s. To the museum in 1975, restored and repainted as 55-5118.

The unique overhead jet intake configuration of the F-107 development of the F-100 was to allow for carrying weapons partially submerged in the aircraft's belly. After being beaten by the F-105 in a completion to provide the USAF with a new all-weather fighter-bomber, two of the three F-107 prototypes were used by NACA for X-15 control system testing. 55-5119 is also preserved, in the National Museum of the USAF

Manufactured by North American Aviation, Inglewood, California, and delivered to the U.S. Air Force on October 3, 1956 (the first F-107 built). September 1956: First flight conducted by North American Aviation test pilot Robert Baker at Edwards AFB, California. October 1956: Beginning of Air Force testing, Edwards AFB, California. November 1957:Transferred to NACA, Edwards AFB, California. June 1958: Returned to North American and placed in storage. 1960s: Placed in storage at Norton AFB, California. June 1974: Loaned to Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of the United States

Photographer: Jim Morrow.

Photographer: Jim Morrow.

The first flight of the F-107 was on September 10, 1956. The F-107's competitor for the Air Force contract was the Republic F-105. While both aircraft performed very well the decision eventually came down on the side of the F-105 primarily because it had a full internal bomb bay while the F-107 did not. After Air Force testing ended two of the F-107 prototypes were turned over to NASA for experimental testing of the control system for the X-15 and high speed research flights.

The F-107 was North American's entry into the 1950s USAF tactical fighter-bomber design competition and was based on the F-100 but with the over-fuselage engine air-intakes as the main innovation. The competition was eventually won by the F-105 Thunderchief and in the end only three test F-107s were produced. This was the first example built and is now on display at the superb Pima Air & Space Museum.