Litvyak Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I went to visit my mother in Nevada last month. I flew out of Bellingham, WA, and having arrived there plenty early, had time to snap a photo of this that I saw there: What is this? An F-89? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mplkd Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 (edited) I believe its nickname is "the scorpion" I saw one at the Pima air museum in Tucson Az few years ago.. Edited December 12, 2011 by mplkd Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevan Vogler Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 That is for sure and certain an F-89 Scorpion of some description. If I'm reading the tail correctly, it looks to be a former Montana ANG machine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 If the markings are original this is F-89J 53-2453. It was built as F-89D-50-NO and later converted to a J. According to Joe Baugher's excellent web site: "On display at Helena Airport, Montana. Part of a collection given to Montana State University School of Technology. It had been assigned civil registry of N16565 with School District 1, Helena, MT in 1966, presumably as an instructional airframe. In 2010 was under restoration by Heritage Flight Museum, Bellingham, WA." Sometimes the Internet (and the great people on it) are our friends. My continued thanks to Joe for keeping up his pages, and for Steve for making ARC a go every day! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Litvyak Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 The link has been bookmarked, thanks bdt! I didn't see any other similar aircraft at BLI so that must be the one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Flankerman Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I believe its nickname is "the scorpion" Not nickname - official USAF name. From the Squadron/Signal 'In-Action' book on the F-89...... "Both the air and ground crews at Muroc, after seeing the XF-89 with its high, unswept tail and nose down attitude, remarked that it looked like a Scorpion ready to strike. The name stuck and was later officially recognised by the Air Force." I suppose it also tied in with Northrop's previous huge night fighter - the P-61 'Black Widow' - both deadly insects with stings My F-89 models...... Revell F-89D... Hobbycraft F-89B..... Ken Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Rat Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Always like that aircraft, it just looks so... so... 1950s! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bugs3144 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 saw one used by ANG land and taxi by while stationed at Eglin AFB in 1964. Unofficial nickname was flying coffin because supposed to be very difficult for crew to get out of in an emergency. Frank ATL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
C-130CrewChief Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Back when rockets were the cats meow! Always found it an interesting plane. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cajun21 Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 (edited) Also sometimes referred to as a "Hoover" for the low mounted intakes. Reportedly it could suck the paint off the concrete. Itch Edited December 13, 2011 by Cajun21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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