thehun

This was NA F-100A-20-NA / JF-100A Super Sabre 53-1654 "FW-654" ca. '55. It was later lost over Death Valley CA due to an engine overtemp on the Pratt and Whitney J-57-P-21 engine being tested on 22 Oct 56. The civilian pilot, Mr. Robert Denn, ejected OK. Beautiful aircraft, regardless! joeidoni.smugmug.com/gallery/6377300_UV2Mv

Bob Hoover with a leg in the cockpit of North American F-100D (F-100D-30-NA), USAF Ser. No. 55-3702. Lawrence A. "Dutch" Holland was piloting this particular aircraft on June 12, 1965, during a close air support (CAS) mission over South Vietnam, when he reported his aircraft was hit and he was forced to eject. He'd perish in subsequent small arms combat with Viet Cong in the area he landed with his parachute. As per the Super Sabre Society: supersabresociety.com/biography/holland-lawrence-dutch/

Major Lawrence T. “Dutch” Holland was flight lead of a pair of F-100D’s fragged on a Close Air Support mission over South Vietnam. His aircraft was the lead in a flight of two F-100’s. After making passes on a target near Don Luan in Phuoc Long Province, he transmitted his aircraft had been hit and his parachute was observed in 100-foot trees.

“Holland got into a shootout with the Viet Cong. He had a pistol and was outgunned by the VC with automatic assault rifles.”(1) A rescue helicopter landed the nearest clearing and the helicopter crew proceeded on foot into the woods. They were fired upon by Viet Cong and saw the enemy drag the limp body of Maj Holland into a ditch. The helicopter crew were unable to rescue Maj Holland.

In late August 1971, the Air Force received information which they believed sufficient to determine that Holland had died at the time of the incident. It was determined Holland had been shot and killed by Viet Cong soldiers after he opened fire on them. Maj. Holland was reportedly buried in the immediate vicinity of the incident. His status was changed to Killed in Action/Body not Recovered. he was almost in the grasp of rescue teams but appeared to have been lifeless.

(1) Source: PJ’s in Vietnam: The Story of Air Rescue in Vietnam through the eyes of Pararescuemen, by John LaPointe

See also: Super Sabre Society - Lawrence A. "Dutch" Holland (1934-1965)

Interesting photo Alan Since it very much looks like an RF-100A, the most likely candidate should be 53-1600. Unfortunately I don't have a separate list of RF-100A, so I cannot say if that really was one or not. Happy New Year and thanks for another year of hard work from your side to keep SDASM one of the best on FLICKR Stig

Unfortunately my theory was wrong. After some searching I found the six modifed RF-100A and 53-1600 was not one of them. Sorry about that Stig