Aircraft data

• USAF model: F-100D-86-NH s/n 56-3417
• Upgraded with Project High Wire
• Manufacturer: North American Aviation (now Boeing)
• Model: NA-245

Primary Service

• Myrtle Beach AFB, SC
• 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Green)"The Green Demons"
• 354th Tactical Fighter Wing
• Tactical Air Command, USAF

Service History

• Oct 1957 31st Fighter Bomber Wing (TAC), Turner Air Force Base, GA (including one deployment to Hahn, Germany).
• Sep 1958 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (TAC), Myrtle Beach AFB, SC (including three deployments to Aviano Air Base, Italy, one flown by Lt.Col. Paul Vogel, Colorado, in the 356th TFS).
• Jun 1964 20th Tactical Fighter Wing (USAFE), RAF Wethersfield, England.
• Feb 1965 Deployed to Wheelus AB, Libya.
• Aug 1965 3415th Maintenance and Supply Group (ATC), Lowry Air Force Base, CO. Flown to Lowry AFB by Capt. Bob Roger, USAFA Class of 1960.
• Oct 1975 Transferred to Lowry Technical Training Center (LTTC), Lowry AFB.
• Mar 1976 Removed from USAF inventory, became display for parade grounds.
• 1983-1984 Aircraft arrives at the Lowry Heritage Museum, LTTC, Denver, CO.
• Oct 1994 Lowry AFB is closed as part of the nationwide reduction in military spending, causing consolidation of operations at fewer USAF bases.
• Dec 1994 Aircraft is transferred to the new Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Denver located in Hangar No. 1 on the former Lowry AFB. F-100D 56-3417 is currently on display. Now begins the in-depth restoration, preservation, and historical processes of 417.
• October 2001 In-depth study of it's service and its depiction in the 356th TFS.

Updates

• May 5, 2002 -- Lt. Col. Paul Vogel, USAF, Ret., flew #417 in 1959 with the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron, died in an aircraft accident, April 26th, 2002, while serving as a tow-plane pilot for USAF Academy cadets and their gliders. He was a distinguished fighter pilot and served 25 years, 2 tours in Viet Nam, multi-decorations, including Bronze Star, Dist. Flying Cross, Air Medal, and many more; he was 71 years of age.
• January 28, 2006 -- New photos courtesy of the late Col. Donald D. Thompson, Retired's family submitted for restoration: 417 In-flight.
• March 2006 -- Detailed drawings been made for pre-masking and painting.
• June 2006 -- Painting of vertical stabilizer and nose have been completed.
• December -- 2006 Completion of Phase 1 Restoration: 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron paint scheme with squadron and wing decals.

Source: USAF HIstory Office Maxwell AFB, Aircraft history report to Lowry Heritage Museum. History files at Wings Over the Rockies Museum, Collections Dept and Restorations Dept; on-file.