F3D Skyknight
The F3D Skyknight was a carrier-based, straight-wing jet fighter aircraft used by the US Navy and Marine Corps during the Korean War. The F3D was designed by Edward Heinemman and manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company. The Skyknight performed its first flight as a prototype on March 23, 1948, with the first batch being delivered by Douglas to the US Navy in June 1951. The F3D successfully replaced the Vought F4U Corsair and F7F Tigercat aircraft.
The Douglas F3D Skyknight was fitted with straight, mid wings which were folded when stored on board of the aircraft-carrier. It had two seats and was powered by two Westinghouse J34-WE-36 turbojet engines. The Skyknight avionics consisted of an improved Westinghouse AN/APQ-36 radar system. By March 1953, when the production ended, a total of 265 F3D aircraft had been manufactured. Although few F3D-1 aircraft were used primarily to train F3D crews and did not see combat, the F3D-2 saw extensive service during the Korean War, shooting down more enemy aircraft in Korea than any other Navy fighter aircraft.
Specifications
Engine: two Westinghouse J34-WE-36 turbojets.
Maximum speed: 529 mph (852 km/h).
Range: 1,374 mi (2,212 km) (with two 150 gal/568 l tanks).
Length: 45 ft 5 in (13.85 m).
Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m).
Avionics: Westinghouse AN/APQ-36 radar system.
Crew: two (pilot and radar operator).
Weapons: four 20mm Hispano-Suiza M2 cannons; 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs.
