The Northrop F-89 Scorpion is an all-weather, twin-engined interceptor aircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation.

A stablemate of the North American F-86D Sabre Interceptor, the F-89 replaced the first-generation Lockheed F-94 Starfire interceptor, primarily in the Air Defense Command (ADC). It was phased out of active service in the late 1950s, being replaced by supersonic McDonnell F-101B Voodoos and Convair F-102A Delta Dagger interceptors.

We looked up from the parking lot to see two F89s approaching at a fairly low altitude and fairly slow speed. Suddenly one of the wings snapped off one plane and it began a flat spin until it crashed into some buildings. The announcer was screaming for the pilot to try and clear the audience, but there was no way he had any control.

Jul 18, 2024 · From cannons to rockets to nuclear-armed ordnance, the F-89 seemed a formidably armed interceptor, protecting North America in the early years of the Cold War from Soviet bomber fleets coming...

Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first United States Air Force (USAF) jet fighters with guided missiles, and notably the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air nuclear weapons (the unguided Genie rocket).

Structural details of F-89D Scorpion, which was generally similar to the F-89C. Circles indicate failure-prone wing root areas.

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion is an American all-weather, twin-engined interceptor aircraft built during the 1950s, the first jet-powered aircraft designed for that role from the outset to enter service.

Dec 27, 2024 · F-89 Scorpion: 1950s Cold War interceptor still in use? The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was developed after a 1945 U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) request for an all-weather, radar guided, twin jet powered bomber interceptor. The only competitor was the XP-87 (aka XF-87) Blackhawk, which was nixed for being too slow.

Apr 29, 2021 · At the time of its inception, the F-89 marked two "firsts" becoming the first operational combat-level aircraft outfitted with nuclear-tipped air-to-air weaponry (in the Genie rocket) and the first USAF jet-powered fighter to support guided munitions. Ex-USAF mounts were transferred to the Air National Guard for the remainder of her days.

With the modified wing and the improved engines, the Scorpion became one of the safest and most reliable combat aircraft in the USAF inventory.