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F-94 Starfire
Lockheed f-94B USAF
A USAF F-94B Starfire in flight
Role All-weather interceptor
National origin United States
Manufacturer Lockheed
First flight 16 April 1949
Introduction May 1950
Retired February 1959 USAF
1960 ANG
Primary users United States Air Force
Air National Guard
Number built 855
Unit cost

US$196,248 (F-94B)[1]

US$534,073 (F-94C)
Developed from T-33 Shooting Star

The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was the United States Air Force's first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor aircraft. It was a development by Lockheed from the twin-seat T-33 Shooting Star trainer aircraft.

Design and development[]

Built to a 1948 USAF specification for a radar-equipped interceptor to replace the aging F-61 Black Widow and North American F-82 Twin Mustang, it was specifically designed to counter the threat of the USSR's new Tupolev Tu-4 bombers (reverse-engineered Boeing B-29). The Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk had been designated to be the USAF first jet night fighter, but its performance was sub par, and Lockheed was asked to design a jet night fighter on a crash program basis.[2] The F-94 was derived from the TF-80C (later T-33A Shooting Star) which was a two-seat trainer version of the F-80 Shooting Star. A lengthened nose area with guns, radar and automatic fire control system was added. Since the conversion seemed so simple, a contract was awarded to Lockheed in early 1949, with the first flight on 16 April 1949. The early test YF-94s used seventy-five percent of the parts used in the earlier F-80 and T-33As.[3]

The fire control system was the Hughes E-1, which incorporated an AN/APG-33 radar (derived from the AN/APG-3 which directed the Convair B-36's tail guns) and a Sperry A-1C computing gunsight.[4] This short-range radar system was useful only in the terminal phases of the interception. Most of the operation would be directed using ground-controlled interception as was the case with the earlier aircraft it replaced.

The added weight of the electronic equipment required a more powerful engine, so the standard J-33 turbojet engine, which had been fitted to the T-33A, was replaced with an afterburning Allison J33-A-33. The combination reduced the internal fuel capacity. The F-94 was to be the first US production jet with an afterburner. The J33-A-33 had standard thrust of 4,000 pounds-force (18 kN), and with water injection this was increased to 5,400 pounds-force (24 kN) and with afterburning a maximum of 6,000 pounds-force (27 kN) thrust.[3] The YF-94A's afterburner had many teething problems with its igniter and the flame stabilization system.[2]

Lockheed YF94-2 USAF

YF-94 prototype

Lockheed F94 USAF

F-94A of the Idaho ANG

The initial model was the F-94A. Its armament was four .50 in (12.7 mm) M3 Browning machine guns mounted in the fuselage with the muzzles exiting just behind the radome. Two 165 US Gallon (1,204 litre) drop tanks, as carried by the F-80 and T-33, could be carried under the wingtips. Alternatively, these could be replaced by 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, giving the aircraft a secondary fighter bomber role.[4][5] 109 were produced. The subsequent F-94B, which entered service in January 1951, had upgraded and more reliable electronics and engines, as well as a new Instrument Landing System (ILS). 356 of these were built.

The F-94C Starfire was extensively modified from the early F-94 variants. In fact, it was initially designated F-97, but it was ultimately decided to treat it as a new version of the F-94. USAF interest was lukewarm, so Lockheed funded development themselves, converting two F-94B airframes to YF-94C prototypes for evaluation. To improve performance, a completely new, much thinner wing was designed, along with a swept tail surface. The J33 engine was replaced with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney J48, a license-built version of the afterburning Rolls-Royce Tay, which dramatically increased power, producing a dry thrust of 6,350 pounds-force (28.2 kN) and with afterburning, approximately 8,750 pounds-force (38.9 kN).[3] The fire control system was upgraded to the new Hughes E-5 with an AN/APG-40 radar in a much larger nose. The guns were removed and replaced with all-rocket armament consisting of four flip-up panels in a ring around the nose, each containing six rockets. According to test pilot Tony LeVier, the F-94C was capable of supersonic flight.[6]

The F-94C was the only variant to be officially named Starfire.[citation needed] With time, the entire F-94 family has adopted the name.

An F-94D model was proposed as a single-seat fighter bomber, with bombs and rockets under the wings. A single prototype was built, but the model was not accepted for production. The prototype was later used as a testbed for the 20 mm (.79 in) M61 Vulcan cannon subsequently used on the F-104 Starfighter and many others.

Operational history[]

File:Lockheed F-94A 449 FIS Photo Courtesy of RC Haufler.jpg

F-94A of the 449 FIS

Lockheed F94BNY

F-94B, 138 FIS New York ANG

In March 1951, F-94Bs were sent into combat in the Korean War, where they equipped the 339th, 68th, 4th, and 319th FIghter Interceptor Squadrons. The type was credited with several air to air victories, including the first jet-vs.-jet night victory against a MiG-15. One F-94 was listed as lost due to enemy action, six more to non-enemy causes on combat missions, two were declared as missing on a combat mission and three were lost in accidents.[7] One F-94 was lost when it slowed to 110 miles per hour (180 km/h) during pursuit of a Po-2 biplane.[8]

Another early detachment was the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, (all-weather, night-fighter interceptor,) which was sent to Goose Bay, Labrador in November, 1952 and placed under the control of Northeast Air Command (NEAC). One flight from the 59th FIS was kept at Thule Air Base to back up the DEW Line.

The F-94B remained in USAF service through 1954 before being transferred to the Air National Guard. In ANG service, some were modified with a pod under each wing for two additional .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, bringing the total to eight.

The first production F-94C aircraft were delivered in July 1951, 387 examples being delivered before May 1954. The largest problem discovered in service was the nose-mounted rockets, which blinded the crew with their smoke and fire. The most severe problem associated with firing the nose-mounted rockets was that the exhaust could cause a flameout of the jet engine, which could lead to loss of the aircraft. Mid-wing fuel and rocket pods were added, each holding 12 rockets. Most of the time, the nose rockets were not installed, and the mid-wing pod rockets were the sole armament. This version of the aircraft was extensively used within the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) air defense system.

The F-94C was retired from USAF service in 1959, as newer and more capable interceptors entered service. Air National Guard units retired their F-94s a year later.

Variants[]

F-94 rockets

F-94C being armed with 2.75 in (70 mm) FFARs

EF-94C on ramp

EF-94C test aircraft

YF-94
TF-80Cs converted into YF-94 prototypes, two built.[9]
F-94A
Initial production version, 109 built.[9]
YF-94B
One F-94A modified on the production line with new flight director, modified hydraulic systems and two enlarged wingtip tanks.[9]
F-94B
Production model based on YF-94B, 355 built.[9][10][nb 1]
YF-94C
F-94Bs modified with Pratt and Whitney J48 engine, leading edge rocket pods and swept tailplane, originally designated YF-97A, two modified.
F-94C Starfire
Production version of the YF-94C with longer nose, gun armament replaced with nose mounted rockets and provision for underfuselage JATO rockets, originally designated F-97A, 387 built.[12]
EF-94C
Test aircraft for proposed reconnaissance variant
YF-94D
Prototype single-seat close support fighter version based on the F-94C, one partly built but construction was abandoned when program was cancelled.
F-94D
Production version of the YF-94D, 112 on order cancelled, none built.[13]
YF-97A
Original designation of the YF-94C.
F-97A
Original designation of the F-94C.

Operators[]

United States

Aircraft on display[]

Lockheed F-94A USAF

Lockheed F-94A (FA-498)

Lockheed F-94C USAF

Lockheed F-94C (FA-575)

F-94A
YF-97C/F-94C
  • 50-0877 - Syracuse, New York airport.[16]
  • 51-5671 - Erie County Memorial Gardens cemetery at Erie, Pennsylvania. It was first put on display in 1971 and subsequently left to deteriorate. It was refurbished in 2005.[20]
  • 51-13575 - Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. It was previously on display at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and moved to Evergreen in 2010.[22]

Specifications (F-94C Starfire)[]

Nuvola apps kview External images
F-94A Starfire
Searchtool F-94A Cut-Away Drawing
Searchtool F-94A Radar Indicator Screens

Data from RAF Flying Review[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 44 ft 6 in (13.6 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 5 in (12.9 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 11 in (4.5 m)
  • Wing area: 232.8 ft² (21.63 m²)
  • Empty weight: 12,708 lb (5,764 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 18,300 lb (8,300 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 24,184 lb (10,970 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney J48-P-5 turbojet
    • Dry thrust: 6,350 lbf (28.2 kN)
    • Thrust with afterburner: 8,750 lbf (38.9 kN)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 640 mph (556 kn, 1,030 km/h,Mach .84)
  • Range: 805 mi (700 nmi, 1,300 km)combat
  • Ferry range: 1,275 mi(1,100 nmi, 2,050 km)
  • Service ceiling: 51,400 ft (15,670 m)
  • Rate of climb: 7,980 ft/min (40.5 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 78.6 lb/ft² (384 kg/m²)
  • Thrust/weight: 0.48

Armament

Avionics

See also[]

References[]

Notes[]

  1. Knaack claims 356 built[11]

Citations[]

  1. Knaack 1978, pp. 105, 110.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Coniglio, Serigio. "F-94 Starfire (Monopama Special File)." Aviation and Marine International, Issue 34, June 1976.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Technical Gen". RAF Flying Review, September 1962, p. 59.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Hallion 1980, p. 17.
  5. Francillon 1982, p. 294.
  6. LeVier, Tony. Pilot. New York: Harper Collins, 1954, Chapter 15.
  7. Isham, Marty J. and David R. McLaren. Lockheed F-94 Starfire. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer, 1993, Chapter 7.
  8. Grier, Peter. April 15, 1953. Air Force Magazine, Air Force Association, June 2011, page 57.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Francillon 1982, p. 295.
  10. Angelucci and Bowers 1987, p. 280.
  11. Knaack 1982, p. 105.
  12. "The Shape of Tomorrow's Planes." Popular Mechanics, March 1954, p. 136, cutaway drawing of F-94C.
  13. see external links for a very rare photo of the YF-94D under construction – note position of machine guns on top of nose instead of below nose as with other F-94 models
  14. "F-94 Starfire/49-2498." National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  15. "F-94 Starfire/49-2517." Warbird Registry. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  16. "F-94 Starfire/50-0877." Warbird Registry. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  17. "F-94 Starfire/50-0980." National Museum of the USAF. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  18. "F-94 Starfire/50-1006." Peterson Air & Space Museum. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  19. "F-94 Starfire/51-5623." Pima Air and Space Museum. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  20. "F-94 Starfire/51-5671." Warbird Registry. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  21. "F-94 Starfire/51-13560." Minnesota ANG Museum. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.
  22. "F-94 Starfire/51-13575." Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. Retrieved: 9 October 2012.

Bibliography[]

  • Angelucci, Enzo and Peter M. Bowers. The American Fighter. Sparkford, UK: Haynes Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-85429-635-2.
  • Davis, Larry. P-80 Shooting Star. T-33/F-94 in action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1980. ISBN 0-89747-099-0.
  • Francillon, René J. Lockheed Aircraft since 1913. London: Putnam, 1982. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
  • Francillon, René and Kevin Keaveney. Lockheed F-94 Starfire. Arlington, Texas: Aerofax, Inc., 1986. ISBN 0-942548-32-9.
  • Hallion, Richard P. "T-33 and F-94...more stars in the Lockheed galaxy". Air Enthusiast, Twelve, April–July 1980. pp. 11–23. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Jenkins, Dennis R. and Tony R. Landis. Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58007-111-6.
  • Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, 1978. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
  • United States Air Force Museum Guidebook. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975.

External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Lockheed F-94 Starfire and the edit history here.
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