Years In Service: 1950-1969
Initial Flight: August 1948
The F-89 was a twin-engine cockpit all-weather fighter-interceptor with the radar operator in the rear seat guiding the pilot to locate, intercept, and destroy enemy aircraft by day or night under all types of weather conditions. Its low-slung engine intakes earned the F-89 the reputation as the “world’s largest vacuum cleaner” by picking up runway litter.
Aircraft Specifications
Height: 17′ 7″ Wingspan: 53′ 10″ Length: 59′ 8″ Crew: 2 Armament: Two AIR-2A Genie air-to-air rockets with nuclear warheads. Four AIM-4C Falcon Missiles Thrust: 4,900 lbs. No. of Engines: 2 Cruise speed: 465 mph Max Speed: 624 mph Ceiling: 45,000