Douglas F3D Skyknight
F3D (F-10) Skyknight | |
---|---|
EF-10B Skyknight of VMCJ-2 Playboys | |
Role | Fighter aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
First flight | 23 March 1948 |
Introduction | 1951 |
Retired | 1970 |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | United States Navy United States Marine Corps |
Number built | 265 |
Developed into | Douglas F6D Missileer |
The Douglas F3D Skyknight (later redesignated F-10 Skyknight) is an American twin-engined, mid-wing jet fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company.
It was designed in response to a 1945
The F3D saw service with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. Its primary mission was to locate and destroy enemy aircraft at night.[1] The Skyknight was not produced in great numbers, yet it achieved numerous firsts in its role as a night fighter during the Korean War, where the type frequently escorted Boeing B-29 Superfortresses on night bombing missions. While it never achieved the fame of the North American F-86 Sabre, it downed several Soviet-built MiG-15s as a night fighter over Korea. It only sustained a single air-to-air loss against a Chinese MiG-15, which occurred on the night of 29 May 1953.[2][3] A total of 237 F3D-2s were completed before production was terminated on 23 March 1952.
The Skyknight played an important role in the development of the radar-guided
Design and development
Origins
The F3D was not intended to be a typical sleek and nimble dogfighter, but as a standoff night fighter, being outfitted with a powerful radar system and a second crew member. It originated in 1945 with a US Navy requirement for a jet-powered, radar-equipped, carrier-based night fighter. The Douglas team led by
A large and relatively flat forward windshield was used; while not conducive to high speed flight, it provided distortion-free external visibility, something that was particularly valued for a night fighter at that time.
The XF3D-1 was selected over a competing submission, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation's G-75 twin-seat, four-engined, Westinghouse J30-powered night fighter design (similar layout to their Tigercat), leading to an initial contract being issued on 3 April 1946. The US Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) also issued a contract to Grumman for two G-75s (BuAer designation XF9F-1) experimental aircraft on 11 April 1946 in case the Skyknight encountered problems. Shortly thereafter, Grumman recognised that the G-75 would not be a successful aircraft, instead, the company had been working on a completely different single-engined day fighter, initially known as the G-79; it would later become the Grumman F9F Panther.[11][N 1]
Into flight
On 23 March 1948, the XF3D-1 performed its
As a night fighter that was not expected to be as fast as smaller daylight fighters, the expectation was to have a stable platform for its radar system and the four 20 mm cannon mounted in the lower fuselage. Yet, the F3D was capable of outturning a
The F3D-1 was followed by the F3D-2, which was first ordered in August 1949. This model was intended to have Westinghouse J46 engines in enlarged nacelles to replace the J34-WE-32 engines of the F3D-1; however, on account of development problems with the J46, the F3D-2 was initially fitted with J34-WE-36 engines instead. Higher-thrust J34-WE-38 engines were installed later, noticeably increasing the aircraft's performance.[16] Additional changes on the F3D-2 included the incorporation of an improved Westinghouse AN/APQ-36 fire control system, autopilot, air conditioning, and a bulletproof windscreen.[20][21] A total of 237 F3D-2s were built prior to production being terminated on 23 March 1952. At one stage, a higher performance F3D-3 variant, equipped with swept wings and J46 engines, was planned, yet work was cancelled after the J46's development was so troublesome that officials opted to terminate work.
Operational history
Korean War
The 28 F3D-1s produced were primarily used to train F3D crews, as such, this model did not see combat in the Korean War.[22] The F3D-2 Skyknight was only operated in the Korean theatre by United States Marine Corps (USMC) land–based squadrons, beginning in August 1952.[23][24] The first aircraft to arrive in Korea were initially unable to commence operations due to a lack of gun barrel extensions, which were necessary to safely fire the aircraft's cannons; the first aircraft to be modified was on 9 August 1952, permitting live operations to commence in the following weeks.[25] Prior to this, exercises were conducted to develop closer coordination with ground controllers, upon whom the F3D-2s were dependent upon during their night time operations.[26]
From the onset of operations, hostile jamming from inside North Korea proved to be effective against onboard radar.
The Skyknight was responsible for downing more enemy aircraft over Korea than any other single type of naval aircraft.
In January 1953, the number of USMC Skyknights in Korea was doubled to 24; this increase allowed them to effectively escort B-29 Superfortresses on night bombing missions.[34][35] On 12 January 1953, an F3D-2 of VMF(N)-513 that was escorting B-29s on a night bombing mission was vectored to a contact and shot down the fourth aircraft by a Skyknight.[17] By the end of the war, Skyknights had claimed six enemy aircraft (one Polikarpov Po-2, one Yakovlev Yak-15 and four MiG-15s).[31]
In May 1953, Composite Squadron 4 Detachment 44N was deployed to Korea via the U.S.S. Lake Champlain. They sailed through the Mediterranean Sea and on to the eastern Korean coast. After arriving, VC-4 flew a few patrols from the ship, but it was soon apparent that the planes were not well suited for the ships wooden deck. The exhaust nozzles on the F3D were angled slightly down and during take-off, the jet's exhaust scorched the Teac Deck of the ship. After each take-off the deck hands would rush out onto the deck and put out the smoldering fires. After several of these fire drills, the Ship's Captain insisted that VC-4 be transferred to the mainland and join up with VMF(N) 513. [36]
On 23 June 1953, VC4 (DET44N) joined with VMF(N) 513 at K-6 Airbase south of Seoul. The mission of VC-4 DET44N as directed by Commander Task Force NINETY-ONE and as employed as an integral part of Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron 513 based ashore, providing night fighter escort for U.S. Air Force medium bomber (B-50) strikes on targets in North Korea and providing night combat air patrols in the Chodo Island area, extending from the Haeju peninsula to the Yalu River. [37]
One F3D, piloted by LTJG Bob Bick and his RO,
Operational Comments June 1953 through July 1953 The following are excerpts from Carrier Air Group FOUR, Action Report of VC-4 Detachment 44N for period 19 June 1953 to 27 July 1953.
1. The radar equipment in the F3D-2 is excellent, however the relatively low speed and slow rate of climb of the aircraft prohibits exploiting the advantage of the excellent radar coverage against high speed enemy jets.
2. The extreme visibility of the glow from the engines' tailpipes offers an easy target for a pursuer and a detriment to the evasiveness of the aircraft.
3. The near vertical forward windshield and the lack of windshield wipers, limits the visibility of the pilot, on a final GCA approach in heavy rain, to the curved side panel. Under such conditions of heavy rain, forward visibility is extremely poor. [37]
While the Skyknight lacked the swept wings and high subsonic performance of the MiG-15, its powerful fire control system enabled it to find and shoot down other fighters at night, while most MiG-15s could only be guided by ground-based radar.
Post Korean War
Following the Korean War, the F3D was gradually replaced by more powerful aircraft with better radar systems. Its stability and spacious fuselage made the aircraft easily adaptable to other roles. The F3D (under the designations F3D-1M and F3D-2M) was used to support development of a number of air-to-air missile systems during the 1950s, including the
In the late 1950s, a number of Marine F3D-2s were re-configured as
During 1959, Ed Heinemann proposed that Douglas refurbish retired F3Ds for civil use, reasoning that the former military aircraft could be offered at a much lower price than newly designed business jets such as the Lockheed JetStar. Some work on the initiative was undertaken, but it was canceled after it was determined that the stored aircraft were in a generally poor condition, making their refurbishment more costly than forecast.[44]
When the U.S. Navy issued a requirement for a fleet defense missile fighter in 1959, Douglas responded with the
Skyknights continued in service through the 1960s in a gull white color scheme, by which point many of their contemporaries had long since been retired. During 1962, at which point the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force unified their designation systems, the F3D-1 was redesignated F-10A while the F3D-2 was redesignated F-10B.
Vietnam War
The Skyknight was the only Korean War jet fighter that also flew in Vietnam. EF-10Bs served in the
Many U.S. aircraft were lost to SA-2s in Vietnam. The electronic attack on the associated radar systems was known as "Fogbound" missions. The F3D also dropped chaff over the radar sites.[5] The first EF-10B lost in Vietnam was to an SA-2 on 18 March 1966, while four more EF-10Bs were lost in Vietnam to accidents and unknown causes.[47] Their mission was gradually assumed by the more capable EA-6A "Electric Intruder", an Electronic Warfare/Electronic Countermeasures (EW/ECM) variant of the Grumman A-6 Intruder attack bomber.[48] The EF-10B Skyknight continued to fly lower–threat EW missions until they were withdrawn from South Vietnam in October 1969.[47] The U.S. Navy's EKA-3 Skywarrior and the USAF's Douglas RB-66 Destroyer also assumed EW missions.
During May 1970, the U.S. Marine Corps retired the last of its EF-10Bs.
Post Vietnam
The U.S. Navy continued to use the F-10s for
Variants
- XF3D-1
- Prototype aircraft, two Westinghouse J34-WE-24 turbojet engines of 3,000 lbf (13 kN), APQ-35 search and target acquisition radar, four 20mm cannon, three built.[16]
- F3D-1
- Two-seat all-weather day or night-fighter aircraft, powered by two 3,000 lbf (13 kN) Westinghouse J34-WE-32 turbojet engines, tail warning radar, ECM, and other electronics that added over 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) of weight, 28 built. First flight: 13 February 1950.[16]
- F3D-1M
- 12 F3D-1s were converted into missile-armed test aircraft, used in the development of the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile.
- F3D-2
- Second Production version, initially powered by two 3,400 lbf (15 kN) Westinghouse J34-WE-36 and later by two 3,600 lbf (16 kN)
- F3D-2B
- One F3D-1 was used for special armament test in 1952.
- F3D-2M
- 16 F3D-2s were converted into missile armed aircraft. The F3D-2Ms were armed with AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles.
- F3D-2Q
- 35 F3D-2s were converted into electronic warfare aircraft.
- F3D-2T
- Five F3D-2s were converted into night fighter training aircraft.
- F3D-2T2
- 55 F3D-2s were used as radar-operator trainers and electronic warfare aircraft.
- F3D-3
- Unbuilt project, intended to be an advanced version incorporating swept wings.
- F-10A
- 1962 re-designation of the F3D-1.
- F-10B
- 1962 re-designation of the F3D-2.
- EF-10B
- 1962 re-designation of the F3D-2Q.
- MF-10A
- 1962 re-designation of the F3D-1M.
- MF-10B
- 1962 re-designation of the F3D-2M.
- TF-10B
- 1962 re-designation of the F3D-2T2.
Operators
Aircraft on display
- F3D-2
- BuNo 124598 –
- BuNo 124629 –
- BuNo 124630 – MCAS Miramar, California.[53]
- BuNo 125807 – Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas.[54]
- BuNo 125870, (repainted as BuNo 127039) – Korean War and Vietnam War memorial in Del Valle Park in Naval Air Station Los Alamitos, California. In 2015, the aircraft was refurbished and painted in grey and white to depict a late 1950s-era Skyknight of VMFT(N)-20 with tail code "BP." [citation needed]
- F3D-2Q
- BuNo 124618 – National Museum of the Marine Corps, in Quantico, Virginia.[56]
- BuNo 124620 –
- BuNo 125850 – Edwards AFB, California. This aircraft served until 1970 as part of VMCJ-3 (U.S. Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron 3) based at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, carrying tail code "TN."[58]
- F3D-2T
- BuNo 127074 – Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City, New York. It was displayed at the museum from 1987 until April 2012, when it was one of three aircraft moved to the ESAM to make room for the Space Shuttle Enterprise. It is painted in the livery of U.S. Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513 (VMF(N)-513) as flown during the Korean War.[61]
Specifications (F3D-2)
Data from McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I,[62] Standard Aircraft Characteristics : F3D-2 Skyknight[63]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 45 ft 5 in (13.84 m)
- Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m) 26 ft 10 in (8.18 m) folded
- Height: 16 ft 1 in (4.90 m) wings spread, 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m) wings folded
- Wing area: 400 sq ft (37 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 6.23
- Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC): 99.8 in (2,530 mm)
- Airfoil: NACA 1412[64]
- Empty weight: 14,989 lb (6,799 kg)
- Gross weight: 23,575 lb (10,693 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 26,731 lb (12,125 kg)
- Maximum landing weight: 24,500 lb (11,100 kg)
- Fuel capacity: 1,350 US gal (1,120 imp gal; 5,100 L) maximum internal fuel and 2x 150 US gal (120 imp gal; 570 L) optional drop-tanks
- Powerplant: 2 × Westinghouse J34-WE-36 turbojetengines, 3,400 lbf (15 kN) thrust each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 460 kn (530 mph, 850 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
- Cruise speed: 395 kn (455 mph, 732 km/h)
- Stall speed: 80.6 kn (92.8 mph, 149.3 km/h) with approach power
- Combat range: 995 nmi (1,145 mi, 1,843 km) on internals
- Ferry range: 1,195 nmi (1,375 mi, 2,213 km) with 2 × 150 USgal drop-tanks
- Service ceiling: 36,700 ft (11,200 m)
- g limits: +5.5 at 19,700 lb (8,900 kg)
- +5.1 at 21,374 lb (9,695 kg)
- +4 at 26,731 lb (12,125 kg)
- Rate of climb: 3,570 ft/min (18.1 m/s)
- Wing loading: 58.9 lb/sq ft (288 kg/m2)
- Thrust/weight: 0.288
Armament
- Guns: 4 × 20 mm (0.787 in) Hispano-Suiza M2 cannon, 200 rpg
- Rockets: 2 × 11.75 in (298 mm) Tiny Tim unguided rockets
- Missiles: 4× Sparrow I air-to-air missiles (F3D-2M)
- Bombs: 2 × 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs
Avionics
- AN/APQ-35A or -35B radar
- Westinghouse AN/APQ-36radar
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck
- Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk
- de Havilland Sea Venom
- de Havilland Sea Vixen
- Gloster Javelin
- Lockheed F-94 Starfire
- Northrop F-89 Scorpion
- Yakovlev Yak-25
Related lists
- List of fighter aircraft
- List of military aircraft of the United States
- List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
References
Notes
- ^ Rather than cancel the G-75 (XF9F-1) contract, BuAer changed the wording to include three entirely different G-79 prototypes. The G-79 became the successful Grumman F9F Panther.[12][13]
- ^ Russell Thaw as a test pilot for Douglas. Besides the F3D, he was responsible for many test programs, including the Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster and Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray.[14]
Citations
- ^ Standard Aircraft Characteristics F3D-2 Skyknight NAVAER 1335C REV. 10-51.
- ^ "Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office: Korean War Air Loss Database (KORWALD)." Archived 18 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine dtic.mil. Retrieved: 10 August 2013.
- ^ Zhang 2002, pp. 194–195.
- ^ "Douglas Skyknight." Archived 11 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine Boeing history. Retrieved: 23 August 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Goebel, Greg."The Douglas F3D Skyknight." Airvectors.net, 1 September 2002. Retrieved: 2 August 2013.
- ^ a b Donald 1997, p. 365.
- ^ Thomason 2008, pp. 61-62.
- ^ a b Copalman 2022, p. 6.
- ^ a b c d e Thomason 2008, p. 63.
- ^ Copalman 2022, p. 12.
- ^ Sullivan 1982, pp. 4, 6.
- ^ Hardy 1987, p. 79.
- ^ Goebel, Greg. "The Grumman F9F Panther/Cougar." Airvectors, 1 March 2020. Accessed 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Russell William Thaw, 1910–1984." Test & Research pilots, Flight Test Engineers. Retrieved: 3 August 2013.
- ^ Thomason 2008, p. 61.
- ^ a b c d e Gunston 1981, p. 172.
- ^ a b Dorr 1994, p. 154.
- ^ Badrocke 1993, pp. 41, 44–45.
- ^ Thomason 2008, pp. 61, 63.
- ^ Copalman 2022, p. 7.
- ^ Thomason 2008, p. 64.
- ^ Thomason 2008, pp. 64-65.
- ^ "SkyKnight" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 1998. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
- ^ Copalman 2022, pp. 6-8.
- ^ Copalman 2022, p. 8.
- ^ Copalman 2022, pp. 8-9.
- ^ Copalman 2022, p. 9.
- ^ Copalman 2022, pp. 10-11.
- ^ Copalman 2022, pp. 11-12.
- ^ "Douglas F3D-2 Sky Knight." Archived 17 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 16 December 2007.
- ^ a b Grossnick 1997, p. 768.
- ^ a b Dorr 1994, p. 143.
- ^ Dorr 1994, p. 149.
- ^ Dorr 1994, p. 153.
- ^ Thomason 2008, p. 66.
- ^ Information conveyed to William Allen by VC4 Radar Operator AT3 Ben Latawiec in August 2020.
- ^ a b Addendum I Action Report of VC-4 Detachment 44N, 19 Jun 53 to 27 July 53.
- ^ O'Rourke and Woodbridge 1998, [page needed].
- ^ Parsch, Andreas. "Raytheon AAM-N-2,3,6/AIM-101/AIM-7/RIM-7 Sparrow." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, 2007. Retrieved: 5 August 2013.
- ^ "Guided Missiles Ride Navy Jet". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. November 1954. p. 116.
- ^ Thomason 2008, p. 167.
- ^ Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 183.
- ^ Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 182.
- ^ Peter, Garrison (September 1987). "BABY BIZJET BOOM: The birth of the light jet". Flying. p. 125.
- ^ Badrocke 1993, p. 47.
- ^ Francillon 1979, p. 717.
- ^ a b c Whitten, H. Wayne, Col USMC Retired."VMCJ-1 History". Marine Corps Aviation Reconnaissance Association, June 2008. Retrieved: 8 August 2013.
- ^ "Douglas F-3D-2T2 (TF-10B) Skyknight."Combat Air Museum. Retrieved: 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Douglas F3D-2/F-10B Skyknight"Joseph F. Baugher. Retrieved: 19 April 2015.
- ^ Yakubov, Vladimir. "Douglas F3D-2N Skyknight, USS Intrepid Museum." SVSM Gallery. Retrieved: 18 August 2013.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/124598." National Museum of Naval Aviation. Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/124629." Archived 24 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine Pima Air & Space Museum.Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/124630." Archived 11 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/125807." Combat Air Museum.Retrieved: 21 July 2011.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/125870." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 8 April 2015.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/124618." aerialvisuals.ca Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/124620." Archived 26 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Quonset Air Museum. Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/125850." Archived 2 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine Air Force Flight Test Center Museum Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Final mission for fighter jets." Archived 4 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Schenectady Spotlight, 5 May 2012.
- ^ McGeehan, Patrick."Anticipating Space Shuttle’s Arrival, Old Warplanes Ship Out." The New York Times, 18 April 2012.
- ^ "F3D Skyknight/127074." Archived 19 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine Empire State Aerosciences Museum. Retrieved: 16 January 2015.
- ^ Francillon 1988, pp. 417–424.
- ^ F3D Skynight. Annapolis, US: Bureau of Aeronautics: Navy Department. January 1949. Standard Aircraft Characteristics : F3D-2 Skyknight. Retrieved 12 May 2019.
- ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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