AVIATION: The Supersonic Centuries

Out from the U.S. Air Force recently went a brief announcement: the U.S. was sending the first North American F-100 Super Sabrejet fighters to units in Europe; three demonstration planes were already overseas, with full squadrons to follow soon. The news caused little splash, yet it was one of the most significant announcements of the jet age. It meant that the whole new breed of radically advanced "century" series jets was coming into service.

Though Californians have watched growing formations of the new planes howling overhead or sitting on airfield ramps, Air Force...

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