![](\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/1\/18\/North_American_F-107A.jpg\/640px-North_American_F-107A.jpg\")
\nF-107A Prototype #2, on Display at the
\nNational Museum of the US Air Force<\/center><\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the F-107A was competing against the F-105; it \u201clost\u201d the competition, and was not produced beyond three prototypes. That decision has been termed one of the USAF\u2019s great mistakes, particularly given the F-105\u2019s record in Vietnam – where over 40% of the entire USAF F-105 inventory<\/u> (334 of 833) was lost in combat, with another 7.2+% (61 of 833) lost in noncombat incidents. (This propensity for takeoffs without corresponding landings reputedly gave the F-105 its informal nickname \u201cThud\u201d.)<\/p>\n
One of the three F-107A prototypes was damaged in an aborted takeoff and scrapped. The other two still exist; prototype #1 is currently on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum (Tucson, AZ), while prototype #2 is on display at the National Museum of the Air Force (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH).<\/p>\n
Getting the latter display aircraft to Wright-Patterson AFB would not have been possible without a Zippo lighter.<\/p>\n
. . .<\/b> <\/p>\n
The F-107A on display at the National Museum of the Air Force was flown there on 25 November 1957. It was at Edwards AFB immediately prior to the flight. It was apparently being prepared for scrapping. <\/p>\n
It was flyable \u2013 but had no instrument or cockpit lights. It also had no navigation radios.<\/p>\n
The pilot was Maj. Clyde Good. His plan was to follow an F-100 aircraft also being ferried from Edwards AFB to Wright-Patterson AFB that day (and which presumably was equipped with navigational aids). The F-100 would lead the way; the flight was planned as a one-day trip during daylight hours.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, that \u201cwonderful individual\u201d Murphy was alive and well – and up to his usual tricks. Maj. Good and his F-107A became separated from the F-100 he was supposed to follow due to issues at a refueling stop. <\/p>\n
He was able to follow roads to the Saint Louis area. However, the issues at the refueling stop had also apparently delayed his flight. So east of Saint Louis . . . Maj. Good lost daylight. He also began to experience undercast conditions, making it impossible for him to follow roads to the vicinity of Dayton.<\/p>\n
Maj. Good was able to determine the correct heading to get him IVO Dayton, OH. But he needed to periodically check his instruments \u2013 and he had no instrument or cockpit lights. And since the trip was planned as a day trip, Maj. Good also hadn\u2019t packed a flashlight.<\/p>\n
However, he had packed a Zippo lighter. You guessed it: he periodically \u201clit it up\u201d to check his instruments.<\/p>\n
Maj. Good\u2019s navigation skills were good enough to get him within radar range of Wright-Patterson AFB. Wright-Patterson air traffic control then vectored him in.<\/p>\n
However, Maj. Good then faced another minor issue: the aircraft had no landing lights.<\/p>\n
No problem. He landed with one hand on the stick and the other holding his Zippo, lit, so he could read the instruments.<\/p>\n
I might fault Maj. Good’s contingency planning somewhat, but the man certainly had nervios de acero \u2013 y cojones muy grandes<\/i>. (smile)<\/p>\n
. . .<\/b> <\/p>\n
OK, enough oddball aviation history for today. Enjoy the WOT, everyone.<\/p>\n
References<\/u>:<\/p>\n
https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/North_American_F-107<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.airspacemag.com\/military-aviation\/century-series-wannabe-209334\/<\/a><\/p>\n