<p>The Northrop F-89 Scorpion, for many years an integral part of the defense of North America, was the USAF's first two-seat all-weather jet fighter. Two prototypes were ordered in December 1946 and the first, the XF-89 (46-678), was flown on 16 August 1948 at Muroc by Fred Bretcher. The F-89 had a shoulder-mounted straight wing and twin 7,200-lb (32.02-kN) afterburning thrust Allison J35-A-35 turbojet engines mounted side-by-side beneath the tandem cockpit for pilot and radar observer (RO). A big, sturdy machine, the production F-89 started out with fixed wingtip tanks, nose air intercept (AI) radar and six 20-mm M24 nose cannon.
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<p>Although the all-black XF-89, or company model N-24, was lost in a crash on 22 February 1950, the second aircraft (46-679) was then flying as the XF-89A, or N-49, in natural metal finish with a more pointed nose and lengthened fuselage. Deliveries of the production F-89A, or N-35, began in July 1950, this early variant being powered by two 5,100-lb (22.68-kN) thrust Allison J33-A-21A engines which, with afterburners, developed 6,800 lb (30.24 kN) thrust each. The F-89A began to reach Air Defense Command (ADC) squadrons in mid-1951 at a time when the threat of a Soviet bomber force assaulting North America was taken very seriously. Much later in their careers, some of the 18 F-89A airframes were transferred to Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) to serve as DF-89A missile and drone directors.
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<p>Internal equipment changes from the 19th airframe led to the F-89B, which had a Lear autopilot and instrument landing system (ILS); 30 were built and some later served as DF-89Bs.
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<p>The 164 F-89C aircraft introduced new internal systems and used several variants of the Allison turbojet engine. A major change in the Scorpion's armament was ushered in with the service-test YF-89D (49-2463), actually a converted F-89B model, and the 682 production F-89Ds, or N-68s, which followed. A wingtip installation containing 104 2.75-in (70-mm) folding-fin aircraft rockets (FFAR), plus fuel, enabled the F-89D to bracket an area the size of a football field with the lethal, unguided projectiles. F-89Ds became operational with ADC units in Alaska in 1954 and many later served with the Reserve (AFRes) and Air National Guard (ANG).
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<p>The sole YF-89E (50-752) or N-71, a converted F-89C model, was a testbed for two 6,000-lb (26.68-kN) thrust Allison YJ71-A-3 engines. The F-89F designation went to a production version which was cancelled. The F-89G was also a Scorpion variant which never progressed beyond the design stage.
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<p>Final production Scorpion was the F-89H, or N-138, of which 156 were manufactured. The fixed wingtip tanks of the F-89H were reconfigured to accommodate three Hughes Falcon air-to-air missiles in addition to 21 FFARs. The F-89J variant, or N-160, was a conversion from the F-89D equipped to carry two Douglas MB-1 Genie unguided rockets with nuclear warheads plus four underwing Falcons. The wingtip rocket pods were replaced by fuel tanks.
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<p>Scorpions were eventually replaced by Convair F-102s in the air defense role. Some remained in ANG service well into the 1960s. An F-89J (52-1911) is on display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Total production was 1,050 aircraft.
<item><hi format=bold>Powerplant:</hi> two 7,200-lb (32.02-kN) afterburning thrust Allison J-35-A-35, -33A, -41 or -47 turbojet engines
<item><hi format=bold>Performance:</hi> maximum speed 636 mph (1,025 km/h) at 10,600 ft (3,231 m); initial climb rate 7,700 ft (2,347 m) per minute; service ceiling 49,200 ft (14,996 m); range 2,600 miles (4,184 km)
<item><hi format=bold>Weights:</hi> empty 25,194 lb (11,428 kg); maximum take-off 42,241 lb (19,160 kg)
<item><hi format=bold>Dimensions:</hi> span 59 ft 8 in (18.19 m); length 53 ft 10 in (16.41 m); height 17 ft 7 in (5.36 m); wing area 562 sq ft (52.21 m<su>2</su>)
