F-89 Scorpion
The F-89 Scorpion was a US Air Force, all-weather, interceptor aircraft which was designed and manufactured by Northrop Corporation. Test pilot Fred C. Bretcher flew the XP-89 prototype for the first time on August 16, 1948. This straight-wing, jet interceptor was among the first USAF jet aircraft armed with guided missiles and nuclear weapons, such as the unguided Genie rocket for air-to-air use.
Production was authorized in January 1949, but only eighteen F-89A aircraft were completed, which were mainly used for tests and trials, before the type was upgraded to F-89B standard, with new avionics. This variant entered service with the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in June 1951. A new version was introduced in 1956, the F-89H, which was equipped with massive new wingtip pods, each holding three semi-active radar homing GAR-1s and three infrared GAR-2s and 21 FFARs, for a total of six missiles and 42 rockets. Nevertheless, the major production version was the F-89D, which first flew October 23, 1951, entering service in 1954. The cannon was removed in favor of a new Hughes E-6 fire control system with AN/APG-40 radar and an AN/APA-84 computer.
Specifications for the F-89 Scorpion
Engine: two Allison J35-A-35 afterburning turbojets.
Maximum speed: 635 mph (1,022 km/h) at 10,600 ft (3,200 m).
Ferry range: 1,366 mi (2,200 km).
Service ceiling: 49,200 ft (15,000 m).
Length: 53 ft 9½ in (16.40 m).
Wingspan: 59 ft 8½ in (18.20 m).
Crew: two
Avionics: AN/APG-40 radar, an AN/APA-84 computer, and Hughes E-6 fire control system.
Weapons: one hundred and four 2.75 in (70 mm) "Mighty Mouse" folding-fin aerial rockets; 3,200 lb (1,500 kg) of bombs.
