dodgy-alan 1,587 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 The Northrop F89 Scorpion was the first Jetfighter designed from the outset to be a Night or allweather aircraft as opposed to a conversion of an existing day fighter. The prototype XP89 first flew in 1948 and was armed with 4 20mm cannon in a trainable nose turret ! The turret idea was soon abandoned and the F89A was armed with 6 20mm cannon. It was powered by 2 Allison J35 turbojets with reheat. The aircraft was furter developed and its equipment level grew. the main production was the F89D shown here, this dispensed with the cannon and instead carried 2 pods of Mighty Mouse folding fin rockets in containers on the front of the wingtip fuel tanks. 104 rockets were carried and the aircraft was fitted with a Hughes E6 fire control system and an AN/APg-40 Radar and an AN/APA84 computer. Top speed of this version was 653kts. The aircraft was further developed right up to the F89H witch dispensed with the rockets and instead carried 6 Falcon guided missiles mounted around the outside of the tip tanks, with provision for more under the wings, It could also carry the 2 Genie nuclear tipped rockets and was the only aircraft ever to fire such a weapon. With a span of 59 ft and a length of 53 ft the F89 was also one of the biggest fighters to serve with the USAF up until the advent of the superfighters such as the F4 Phantom and the F15 Eagle. No F89s are currently flying though many are preserved as museum exhibits or gate guards. The last aircraft flying was retired in 1969. on the ramp, the diminutive size of the crew show how big this aircraft was. Take off, Hell of a wind sheer with the storm blowing! In her element the mighty Scorpion! Thanks for viewing. Link to post Share on other sites
jaydor 345 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Crackin set of shots there Alan. Bet there was more than a sting in that tail?? Link to post Share on other sites
UKJim 502 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Second shot great capture! Well done they ate ace Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 Excellent shots Alan - although it looks a tad like a brick! Link to post Share on other sites
brett 2,316 Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 Not the cleanest lines for an aircraft but has the speed and punch of a viable weapon of it's time. Thanks for sharing Alan. Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 1 Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Great shot`s, and cool info Alan Link to post Share on other sites
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