Fiddler Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 Hello all, I'm researching about the F-89J Scorpion, particularly from the North Dakota ANG. I've come by a picture (shown below) and my attention went to a pod, hung on the Genie pylon. The posing crew is obscuring the view a bit but therefor I'd like to ask for your expertise to identify the pod. Here's the picture, linked from Wikimedia, belonging to the U.S. Air Force The pod had a black tip with the number 55 on it. just next to the crew's arm there are a circular line of bolts or static ports or something like that. Thanks for your input! Greetings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mstor Posted March 18, 2019 Share Posted March 18, 2019 The words above the number "55" are "North Dakota" (makes sense since it is North Dakota ANG). Could it be a baggage carrier? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmanrick Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 My guess is it is a non-standard baggage pod, modified from some other type store. However, it is quite "fancy" for your average baggage pod. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie D. Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 Cool pic, and an F-89 in ADC grey! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
afspret Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) Think late in their careers the F-89s were painted in ADC grey. I remember when I was stationed @ Eglin in the early 80s there were a few parked on the far side of the runway @ Duke Fld and they were all painted ADC grey. Being an SP I had access to this side of the air field as I patrolled the base so got to take a close look at them. As for the orange flight suits, spit shined boots and the spiffy paint job and neat appearance of the a/c, it makes me wonder if it participated in something like a William Tell or similar type competition. Edited March 19, 2019 by afspret Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmanrick Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 William Tell or similar is my guess too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bdt13 Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 Could it be some kind of "old fashioned" range instrumentation or weapons simulator? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 My guess is an early chaff dispenser Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmanrick Posted March 25, 2019 Share Posted March 25, 2019 (edited) On 3/23/2019 at 4:54 PM, bdt13 said: While this photo doesn't mention the pod, I found a much better image of it: Edited March 25, 2019 by madmanrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddler Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 Nice picture Madmanrick! However indeed still no explanation where it was used for. Now the pic also shows a number of handles on the front and aft end, which i only have seen with travelpods... to bad as i hoped it was something operationaly linked to the genie missiles. Thanks for all the input! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmanrick Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Well, upon reflection I have to say I am no longer convinced that this is an ordinary baggage pod. Most baggage pods I've seen are just functional items and not normally very well taken care of. However, not only are both the pods in these pics well taken care of, they are painted and marked in very similar ways. So I can't offer another opinion as to what it actually is, but I find the mystery very interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
herbarnold99 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 Seems like radome-type material on both nose and tail fairings, which would suggest "something" would be transmitting through them... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 8 hours ago, herbarnold99 said: Seems like radome-type material on both nose and tail fairings, which would suggest "something" would be transmitting through them... I second this. It has a very purpose built look to it. Rick L. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
herbarnold99 Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Found an expert who identified said pod as the "McDonnell Simulator Rocket", which apparently simulated proper circuitry for the MB-1 Genie firing sequence. Also found a couple drawings on line.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 The MSR was a lot thinner than the one in the first post and didn’t have radomes on it. It could be the early version of the MSR, the drawing above is for the F-106, we had a similar one for the Voodoo. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
herbarnold99 Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 I think you're right, and am bringing those points up with my 'expert'...! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddler Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 5 hours ago, herbarnold99 said: I think you're right, and am bringing those points up with my 'expert'...! Your 'expert'? 🙂 This theory of being operational equipment (rather than a streamlined suitcase) makes it a bit more interesting. I tend to search for some interesting loadouts for my kits as the double genie is somehow quite 'cliché' Curious where this thread goes from here! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IrishGreek Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Is that second F-89 also in ADC grey? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddler Posted April 4, 2019 Author Share Posted April 4, 2019 It seems to be, yes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fiddler Posted April 10, 2019 Author Share Posted April 10, 2019 So, any news or any new insights on this Pod? Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SteveTheB Posted February 26, 2020 Share Posted February 26, 2020 Friends, the pod shown in the two F-89J photos shown above is, I believe, the Northrop "Multi-Pass MB-1 Rocket Mission Evaluator", used to train pilots in MB-1 delivery techniques. The pod held (mostly) timers to gauge when and in what sequence the pilot would do specific things related to setting up and launching an MB-1. The very interesting drawing represents some other, longer (and/or narrower?) pod than the Northrop one shown in the photos. The Northrop pod is 17.5" in diameter, the same as the MB-1. All best! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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