Skip to content

This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and

Read More »
Main Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • What’s New
  • Contact

McKean, James A.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • McKean, James A.

James Allen McKean

Preferred Name: Jim
Date of Birth: July 25, 1941
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Marion, IA
Headed West Date: July 17, 2012
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Jim graduated “Top Gun” from F-100 Training at Luke AFB, AZ, and was “Top Gun” of 79th TFS 6 consecutive 6 month periods, 1965 thru 1968. He was also “Top Gun” of 20th TFW 3 consecutive periods, 1965 thru 1968.

Units Assigned

  • 1963-1964 UPT Reese AFB, TX (T-41, T-37, T-38)
  • 1964-1965 F-100 RTU, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100)
  • 1965-1968 79th TFS, 20th TFW, RAF Woodbridge, UK (F-100)
  • 1968-1969 308th TFS, 31st TFW, Tuy Hoa AB, RVN (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

T-41
T-37
T-38
F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1963 USAF Academy

Civilian Education:

  • 1959 Marion, Iowa High school

James A. McKean (Capt USAF) “Headed West” on July 17, 2012.

James “Jim” Allen McKean was born in Cedar Rapid, IA on July 25, 1941, to Allen B. and Evelyn [Rundquist] McKean.

McKean passed away July 17, 2012, at the age of 70 years. He is survived by his son, Sean McKean; grandson, Chase Mckean; brother, John McKean; and the love of his life, Dale Collier.

Jim was a veteran in the United States Airforce and an F-100 fighter pilot in Vietnam serving two 2 tours of duty. After serving with the USAF, he was a pilot for 32 years with Continental Airlines.

His hobby was Hydroplane racing. He and his son hold the most world speed records of any father-son team.

Jim is buried at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Sources:Pace Funeral Home Obituary, Livingston, TX; findagrave.com

McKean, Jim
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
Click To View

Wall of Honor Location

Our Mission

The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2025 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top