Tupolev Tu-128 Fiddler

The Tupolev Tu-128 'Fiddler' was a long-range, all-weather interceptor and escort fighter aircraft, which was in service with the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War period. It was designed at the end of the 1950s to meet the needs of defending the Soviet vast air space against the new USA/NATO threat; the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. This Russian supersonic aircraft was developed from the Tu-98 'Backfin' and it was capable of carrying long-range missiles. Thus, it was a highly specialized interceptor, with no more than 200 aircraft being built. Also known as the Tu-28, it would be replaced by the MiG-31 at the end of the 1980s.

The prototype of the Tupolev Tu-128 first took to the air on March 18, 1961. The aircraft would go through a three-year period of flight tests, entering service with the Soviet Air Force on July 27, 1964. It was assigned for the Soviet home defense. Three variants saw service: the Tu-128A, Tu-128UT (trainer), and the Tu-128M. The aircraft huge size enabled it to carry all the avionic equipment and armament needed to intercept enemy bombers before they could penetrate the Soviet air space. Thus, a powerful radar scanner mounted in the nose allowed the Tu-128 to detect and locate intruders at long ranges. Twin afterburning jet engines enabled it to reach speeds of up to 2,085 km/h (1,296 mph) as it could take off with enough fuel for patrols lasting up to six hours.

Technical Description

The Tupolev Tu-128 Fiddler was a two-seat, twin-engine monoplane, whose fuselage was an all-metal, monocoque design. It was fitted with low, swept wing. The wing was made in three sections. The center section was integral with the fuselage, with massive girders bridging the body width, while the left and right panels extended to the tip of wing. The leading edge swept back from 58° to 70° over the inboard portion. Aside from the ailerons, the wing trailing edge had large-chord tracked slotted flaps in single sections inboard and outboard of the main landing gear. The wing had a static anhedral angle of -4°. The tail assembly horizontal stabilizer had a sweepback of 58°, while the vertical fin was large and had a leading edge sweep of 60°. Like the wing and tail movable surfaces, the fin rudder had thermal de-icing.

Specifications (Tu-128M)

Type: long-range interceptor and escort fighter.

Length: 30.49 m (100 feet)

Wing Span: 17.67 m (58 feet)

Wing Area: 96.94 m2 (1,043 square feet)

Height: 7 m (23 feet)

Power Plant: two Lyulka AL-7F-4 afterburning, turbojet engines, each one delivering 23,539-lb of thrust.

Maximum Speed: 2,085 km/h (1,296 mph)

Range: 2,565 km (1,594 miles), with allowances for combat.

Service Ceiling: 20,000 m (65,617 feet)

Armament: two R-4PM and two R-4TM air-to-air missiles

Crew: 2

Above, the Tu-128 armed with four air-to-air missiles.

The prototype of the Fiddler in flight around 1961.

The Tu-128 on the tarmac of an airbase in central Russia.

The Tu-128M version

Sukhoi Su-11

The Sukhoi Su-11 was a supersonic interceptor aircraft, which was used by the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War. With a delta-wing configuration, it was a further development of the Su-9, which was one of the most massively produced interceptor aircraft in the arsenal of the Soviet Union. Not only was it one of the fastest aircraft of the Cold War period, capable of reaching Mach 2.2, but it was also very reliable and maneuverable.

Compared to its predecessor, the Sukhoi Su-11 was much more user friendly and safer to fly. The aircraft as whole, and the engine in particular, were much more reliable that the Su-9. The Su-11 also had a greater maximum interception altitude and range thanks to the more powerful Oryol radar and the R-8M air-to-air missiles it was armed with. The prototype first flew on December 25, 1958, entering service with Soviet Air Force on July 27, 1964. Although it was withdrawn from active service in 1983, a few aircraft were preserved for posterity as museum exhibits.

Technical Description

The Sukhoi Su-11 was single-seat, single-engine monoplane of all-metal construction. It was made with cylindrical monocoque fuselage. It was fitted with delta mid-wing, whose leading edge had a 53-degree sweep. The aircraft tail assembly had a swept horizontal stabilizer. It was powered by one Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet engine, which could deliver 22,260 pounds of thrust. The engine air intake was located in the nose of fuselage. The Su-11 could be distinguished from its predecessor, the Su-9, by the external fuel tubes on dorsal portion of fuselage.

Specifications

Type: supersonic interceptor aircraft

Length: 18.22 m (59 feet, 10 inches)

Wing Span: 8.5 m (28 feet)

Wing Area:  34 m2 (370 square feet)

Height: 4.7 m (15 feet, 5 inches)

Power Plant: one 22,260-lb, Lyulka AL-7F-1 turbojet engine, with afterburner.

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.2 (2,340 km/h)

Range: 1,127 km (700 miles)

Service Ceiling: 18,000 m (59,000 feet)

Crew:1

Armament: air-to-air missiles

Above, a Sukhoi Su-11 on exhibition in an open museum.

Dassault Mirage III

The Dassault Mirage III was a supersonic jet interceptor in service with the French Air Force during the Cold War. It was the first French delta-wing aircraft on active duty. It was one of the most efficient combat planes of this historical period. Several countries around the world acquired the Mirage III to beef up their air forces; Australia, Turkey, Peru, Switzerland, Pakistan, and Israel. This famous aircraft took part in several armed conflicts in the second half of the 20th century, such as the Six Day War, Yom Kippur War, the Falklands War, and South Africa Border War. In the hands of a well-trained pilot, it proved to be a lethal flying machine.

The Dassault Mirage III-001 prototype performed its maiden flight on November 17, 1956. It took five years for the aircraft to pass all the flight tests as it was introduced into service with the French Air Force on June 20, 1961. The first version was the Mirage IIIA, which was a pre-production model; the IIIC was the first major production variant, which was an interceptor; the IIIE was the fighter version, while the IIIB and the IIID were two-seat trainer aircraft. Thus, this French warplane was the progenitor of a family of interceptors and fighters, which have in common a delta wing configuration and reliable, maneuverable flight performance. An estimated total of 1,500 aircraft were made as it became the backbone of the French Air Force in the 1960s and 1970s. It would be replaced by the Mirage 2000 in French service.

Technical Characteristics

The Dassault Mirage III was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane, whose airframe and fuselage were all-metal. It was a delta, low-winged aircraft. It had no conventional tailplane as it was fitted only with a a large vertical fin. The traditional tailplane elevator function of climbing up was performed by the elevons and ailerons on the wing trailing edge; these movable control surfaces also managed pitch and roll. The cockpit was equipped with a Martin-Baker ejection seat and a large canopy. The aircraft was powered by one SNECMA Atar 09C turbojet engine, with afterburner. The power plant generated 13,700 pounds of thrust. Like on most jet plane, the engine air intakes were located laterally, on the sides of fuselage. Its retractable landing gear was of the tricycle type.

Specifications (Mirage IIIE)

Type: interceptor/fighter

Length: 15 m (49 feet, 4 inches)

Wing Span: 8.22 m (27 feet)

Wing Area: 35 m2 (377 square feet)

Height: 4.50 m (14 feet, 9 inches)

Power Plant: one 13,700-lb, SNECMA 09C-3 turbojet engine, with afterburner.

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.1 (2,350 km/h or 1,460 mph)

Range: 2,400 km (1,491 miles)

Service Ceiling: 14,440 m (47,375 feet)

Crew: one

Armament: one 30-mm DEFA 552 cannon; MATRA R.511 or Hughes AIM-26 air-to-air missiles.

A Mirage IIIE version of the Pakistani Air Force in the 1980s.

The prototype III-001 in late 1956.

The IIIB version: a two-seat trainer.

North American F-86D Sabre Dog

The North American F-86D Sabre Dog was a single-seat interceptor aircraft which was in service with the US Air Force during the Cold War. It was also used by the German Luftwaffe, Italian, and French Air Force. Sabre Dogs used by these NATO countries had been produced in Italy by Fiat as the F-86K variant. Both the American and European versions were developed from the F-86A Sabre, which saw combat action in the Korean War. Around 2,800 Sabre Dog interceptor aircraft were produced, with 300 of them being built in Italy under license.

The F-86D was the first all-weather combat aircraft produced by North American. The prototype first flew on December 22, 1949, entering service with the US Air Force in 1951. On November 18, 1952, the Sabre Dog broke a speed record, flying at 698.505 mph (1,124.1 km/h) at 125 feet (38 m) of altitude. Both the F-86D and F-86K were larger versions of their original model, the F-86A fighter, having a longer and stronger fuselage. For the first time in the history of the US Air Force, these interceptors variants were fitted with a radar powerful and efficient enough to enable them to operate day and night and under all weather conditions. It was an AN/APG-37 search radar, which was mounted in the nose of aircraft and had a range of 48 km. By 1955, twenty Wings of the US Air Force had been equipped with this reliable interceptor.

Technical Characteristics

The North American F-86D Sabre Dog was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane. It had an all-metal fuselage and low swept wing, whose trailing edge was fitted with both ailerons and flaps. It had two retractable air brakes, each one located on the side of rear portion of fuselage. The aircraft tail assembly consisted of a swept horizontal stabilizer, which was mounted at the base of a tall vertical fin. The landing gear was retractable, with the main wheels folding up inwardly after take-off into root of wing. The aircraft was powered by one General Electric J47-GE-33 turbojet engine, which generated 7,512 pounds of thrust. The engine air intake was situated under the first portion of fuselage.

Specifications

Type: single-seat jet interceptor

Length: 12.29 m (40 feet, 4 inches)

Wing Span: 11.30 m (37 feet, 1 inch)

Wing Area: 27.76 m2 (299 square feet)

Height: 4.57 m (15 feet)

Power Plant: one 7,512-lb, General Electric J47-GE-33 turbojet engine.

Maximum Speed: 1,138 km/h (707 mph)

Range: 1,344 km (835 miles)

Service Ceiling: 16,640 m (54,593 feet)

Crew: one

Armament: twenty four 70-mm rockets; four 20-mm GE M24 A1 cannons.

The North American F-86D taking off from a California US Air Force base around 1959.

The F-86K, the European version of the Sabre Dog in service with the German Luftwaffe.

A Sabre Dog parked on the tarmac of a US Air Force base

Panavia Tornado ADV

The Panavia Tornado ADV was a long-range interceptor aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force between 1985 and 2012. It was designed to defend British airspace by intercepting and engaging enemy bombers flying towards the United Kingdom hundreds of miles away. For this mission, it was fitted with advanced radar and fire control avionics. It was also used as a ¨Weasel¨ (anti-radiation) aircraft, flying sorties to knock out enemy air defenses on the ground, using ALARM anti-radar missiles. 'ADV' stands for ¨Air Defense Variant¨.

The Panavia Tornado prototype P-01 first flew on August 14, 1974. The first flight tests proved satisfactory, with the aircraft also passing the weapons-handling trials as well as the speed tests. During these tests, the prototype was able to reach the speed of Mach 2. This prototype would become the multi-role combat aircraft for the British, German, and Italian Air Force. However, the Royal Air Force would be issued 229 additional Tornados, all of which would be developed into the F2 and F3 model in the Air Defense Variant (ADV) interceptor role. This version made its maiden flight on August 9, 1979.

The Panavia Tornado ADV had it baptism of fire in 1991, flying over Iraqi territory, during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft was also deployed in numbers during the armed conflict in Bosnia as well as during the USA/UK invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Tornado ADV proved its worth as a tactical support machine, capable of engaging and destroying targets with very high accuracy. The aircraft's terrain-following radar allowed a stealthy approach to its target while flying at extremely low level at high speed.

The Panavia ADV F3 version, with its wing fully swept back as it climbs up while banking right. Notice the four Sky Flash missiles on belly of fuselage.

Technical Description

The Panavia Tornado ADV was a two-seat, two-engine monoplane. It had an all-metal fuselage, with parts of its airframe made of titanium. It was fitted with variable-sweep wing, which was mounted on shoulder of fuselage. The wing could be moved from a full forward position of 25 degrees to a full swept-back position of 67 degrees. It had no ailerons, but full-length flaps, using spoilers for roll control. The tailplane was of conventional swept-back type, with a large vertical fin.

The nose of fuselage had a radome, which housed the Marconi's A.I-24 Foxhunter airborne interception radar, which had a range of 115 miles. The cockpit was narrow but long, with the pilot and radar operator sitting in tandem. The aircraft was powered by two Turbo-Union RB199-34R turbofan engines, each rated at 9,104 pounds of thrust. These machines were designed and built by Rolls-Royce and Aeritalia.

Specifications

Type: two-seat, long-range interceptor

Length: 18 m (59 feet, 3 inches)

Wing Span: 8.60 m (28 feet, 3 inches)

Wing Area: 26.60 m2 (286 square feet)

Height: 5.70 m (18 feet, 8 inches)

Power Plant: two 9,104-lb, Turbo-Union RB119-34R turbofan engines.

Maximum Speed: 2,338 km/h (1,453 mph)

Range: 1,800 km/ 1,118 miles (interception radius); 3,500 km full ferry range.

Service Ceiling: 21,000 m (68,900 feet)

Crew: two

Armament: one 27-mm IWKA Mauser cannon; eight BAe Sky Flash air-to-air missiles; two ALARM air-to-surface anti-radiation missiles.

The F3 version of the Tornado ADV in flight. Notice air-to-air missiles and the two external fuel tanks under wing.

Panavia Tornado ADV F2 fully-armed, with its wing swept forwards.

Three British ADV F3s of Squadron No5.

Sukhoi Su-15

The Sukhoi Su-15 'Flagon' was a Soviet, all-weather interceptor aircraft. Being introduced in 1965, it had been developed to counter the threat of American strategic bombers, such as the Boeing B-47 Stratojet and the B-52 Stratofortress. This supersonic interceptor would have a thirty-year long career as it was a reliable flying machine, with an impressive rate of climb. Like many combat aircraft of the 1960s, it had a cylindrical fuselage and delta wings. More than 1,200 Flagons would be produced by Sukhoi.

The first prototype of the Su-15, the T58D-1, performed its maiden flight on May 30, 1962. It was flown by Sukhoi chief test pilot, Vladimir Ilyushin. It was powered by two Tumanskyi R15-300 afterburning turbojet engines. By the end of that year, this first prototype had made 56 test flights, showing good performance and handling. With two other prototypes made and tested, the Flagon would be introduced into service with the Soviet Air Force on April 30, 1965, by the Soviet Council of Ministers. Among the variants that were developed from it were the Su-15UM, which was a tandem two-seat trainer, and the Su-15VD , with additional lift engines to provide STOL capability.

Technical Description

The Sukhoi Su-15 was a single-seat, twin-engine monoplane, with all-metal fuselage. It had delta, cantilever mid-wing, with 3 degrees anhedral from roots and leading edge swept at 60 degrees. The wings were of single-spar stressed-skin construction, with three transversed beams (auxiliary spars). The trailing edge was fitted with hydraulically-actuated, one-piece Fowler flaps and ailerons. They were made of duraluminum. The tail horizontal stabilizer (tailplane) was clipped-delta and the vertical stabilizer (fin) was unusually tall and leaned backward. Landing gear was of the tricycle type and hydraulically retractable.

The fuselage was semi-monocoque, riveted stressed skin structure. The forward fuselage had a circular cross-section immediately aft of the conical dialectric radome; it features large detachable panels on the sides for access to the forward avionics bay. The cockpit was fitted with a KS-3 ejection seat and it was enclosed by a sliding bubble canopy. The Su-15TM version was powered by two Tumanskyi R11-F2S-300 turbojet engines, each one delivering 17,196 pounds of thrust. The air intakes were rectangular and they located on the sides of fuselage.

Specifications

Type: all-weather interceptor aircraft.

Length: 20.54 m (67 feet, 5 inches)

Wing Span: 9.34 m (30 feet, 8 inches)

Wing Area: 36.6 m2 (394 square feet)

Height: 5.79 m (19 feet)

Power Plant: two Tumanskyi R11-F2S-300 afterburning turbojet engines.

Maximum Speed: 2,230 km/h (1,395 mph)

Rate of Climb: 228 m/s (748 feet/second)

Service Ceiling: 16,600 m (55,000 feet)

Avionics: one Taifun-M interception radar; one Sobol (or Oryol D58) fire-control radar.

Armament: two K-8M2 and two R-98M medium-range air-to-air missiles; two 23-mm autocannon in gun pods.

Below, front view of the Su-15 parked at a military base in the Far East, Siberia, in the Summer of 1967.

A dorsal view of the first production variant of the Flagon.

Below, a side aspect of the Su-15. You can see its air intake, which was rectangular and raked back.

The Soviet interceptor aircraft in flight. You can notice the K-8M2 and the R-98M air-to-air missiles attached to its underwing hardpoints.

Northrop F-89 Scorpion

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was the first jet-powered aircraft designed from the start to be an all-weather interceptor. Despite its ungainly look, it was a very capable and reliable combat aircraft. It was in service with the US Air Force from 1950 to 1969, a long career that outlasted other contemporary military jet planes. During its 19-year service, its armament changed from cannons to rockets and nuclear missiles.

The maiden flight of the Scorpion prototype, the XF-89, No 46-678, took place on August 16, 1948. Flown by test pilot Fred Bretcher, the lift-off from the runway occurred at 125 mph. It was powered by two Allison J35-A-9 turbojet engines mounted slung and side by side on the belly of fuselage. After two years of flight tests, during which many technical flaws were corrected, it was finally introduced on September 20, 1950, under the designation F-89A. A total of 1,052 all-weather interceptors would be built, with the F-89C and F-89D being the most massively produced.

With 682 aircraft built, the F-89D Scorpion was a very successful aircraft, very stable and maneuverable, and it was a considerable improvement over the first three variants. This version dispensed with the nose-mounted 20-mm cannons, which was replaced by rockets launched from pods set up on the wing tips. Later, it would also be equipped with AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missiles. Since its main job was to guard the continental territory of the United States from intruding Soviet bombers, it would not see combat action in Korea.

Below, the last production variant of the Scorpion, the F-89J, is about to touch down on the runway of a USAF base in the 1960s.

Technical Description

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was a two-seat, twin-engine monoplane, which was built with all metal fuselage. The design was quite large, exceeding over 50 feet both in length and wingspan. It had straight, mid-wing, which was mounted on the circular fuselage. The low aspect ratio of the wing allowed a fairly high top speed. It also eliminated the poor slow speed handling of early swept wing designs. It had a conventional tail assembly, with the horizontal stabilizer located high on the fin (vertical stabilizer).

The structure of the Scorpion was made of high strength aluminum alloy, featuring flush riveted semi-monocoque construction. The F-89D version was powered by two Allison J35-A-35, which delivered 7,200 pounds of thrust each. It was equipped with one AN/APG-33 radar and one E-9 fire control system. The landing gear was of the tricycle type and sturdy, with the forward wheel folding up into the fuselage and the main wheels retracting into the roots of wing.

Specifications

Type: all-weather interceptor aircraft

Length: 16.41 m (53 feet, 10 inches)

Wing Span: 18.19 m (59 feet, 8 inches)

Wing Area: 60.39 m2 (650 square feet)

Height: 5.36 m (17 feet, 7 inches)

Power Plant: two Allison J35-A-35 turbojet engines

Maximum Speed: 1,023 km/h (634 mph)

Rate of Climb: 2,546 m/min. (8,350 feet per minute)

Range: 2,200 km (1,334 miles)

Service Ceiling: 14,995 m (49,200 feet)

Crew: two (pilot/radar operator)

Armament: six 20-mm cannons in the nose; 70-mm and 127-mm rockets (on F-89D version).

Below, the XF-89 prototype in flight from Muroc Air Force Base in 1948.

Front view of the F-89D variant on a military base in 1954. It has the flaps down and the speed brakes open.

Below, four F-89D aircraft from the North East Air Command fly near Yuma in 1955.

Below, the F-89A, the first version, in flight in 1950.

The prototype of the interceptor at the end of its flight test phase, before being introduced. You can see the belly of aircraft, with its two Allison J35 engines.

Below, the rocket pod on one of the wing tips of the F-89H version. The armament also included AIM-4 Falcon missiles.

This cutaway view of the Scorpion shows the configuration in details.

Convair F-106 Delta Dart

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was a supersonic, interceptor aircraft in service with the US Air Force from 1959 to 1988. Although it had a great performance, it was a complex and costly machine. Developed from the F-102 Delta Dagger, its main mission was to intercept and shoot down Soviet bombers during the Cold War. Thus, it usually flew sorties in the skies over Alaska during the 1960s and 1970s. However, it never saw combat action as it did not take part in the Vietnam War or in any other armed conflict.

The F-106 Delta Dart performed its first flight on December 26, 1956, taking off from Edwards Air Force Base. It was the prototype YF-106A powered by one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-47 jet engine. The flight test phase lasted less than three years and it entered service with the US Air Force on June 18, 1959, as the F-106A. Including the two prototypes, 342 interceptor aircraft would be built, in only one combat version; the F-106A. However, a trainer variant was also produced; the F-106B. From the time it was introduced at Geiger Field, Washington, it became the backbone of North America air defense, also becoming the favorite of many pilots who flew it.

Below, head-on view of the delta-winged interceptor in 1959.

Technical Description

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was a single-seat, single-engine, supersonic monoplane of all-metal construction. It had a delta wing configuration, with a slight anhedral angle (with the wing obliquely downwards). It was mounted on lower portion of fuselage (delta low mid-wing), right under the engine air intake. The fuselage was not cylindrical but rather triangular in shape, with a streamlined conical nose. The cockpit canopy was inverted-'V'-shaped.

The Delta Dart was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17 turbojet engine, which put out 17,212 pounds of thrust with afterburning. This engine also powered the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Aside from the internal fuel tank, it usually carried a pair of underwing tanks for longer range. This aircraft featured a powerful search radar and also an infra-red search and track system.

Specifications

Type: interceptor

Length: 21.55 m (70 ft, 8 in)

Wing Span: 11.67 m (38 ft, 3 in)

Wing Area: 61.46 m2 (662 sq. ft)

Power Plant: one Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17 turbojet engine

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.25 (2,400 km/h, or 1,491 mph)

Range: 1,850 km (1,150 miles)

Service Ceiling: 17,680 m (58,600 ft)

Armament: one 20-mm M61A cannon; four AIM-4E or AIM4G Falcon air-to-air missile, plus two Genie nuclear rockets.

Below, the prototype YF-106A in 1957.

Four Delta Darts flying in diamond formation.

Below, two F-106As in flight in the 1960s.

Douglas F4D Skyray

The Douglas F4D Skyray was a carrier-borne interceptor and fighter used by the US Navy during the Cold War years. This manta-winged, jet aircraft had a fast rate of climb and an excellent performance. However, it was tricky to fly, with a high accident rate, especially during carrier operations. The main mission of this advanced combat aircraft was to guard the US Fleet against attack by Soviet bombers. Douglas built a total of 422 aircraft, which served on every fleet carrier. After a short career, it would be replaced by the F-8 Crusader.

Designed by Ed Heinemann, the Skyray prototype, the XF4D-1, first flew on the morning of January 21, 1951. The pilot was Larry Payton, and experienced test pilot, and it was powered by an Allison J35-A-17 jet engine, which produced 5,000 pounds of thrust. The flight test program, which included the deck handling phase, would be long, lasting five years as they looked for the right engine. Finally, this naval combat aircraft was introduced into service with the US Navy in August 1956 as the F4D-1, which was the first version. It would be retired eight years later, in 1964, thus, not seeing combat action in Vietnam.

Technical Description

The Douglas F4D Skyray was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane. It had an all-metal fuselage and a modified-delta mid wing. It lacked the classical tail assembly as it had no tailplane (horizontal stabilizer), only the vertical fin and rudder; the triangular elevators moved freely on both side of aft portion of fuselage, right behind the wing trailing edge. The F4D-1 variant of the aircraft was powered by one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8A turbojet engine, which was rated at 10,205 pounds of thrust. The engine air intakes were located on each side of fuselage. The fuel was stored in fuel cells distributed in wing and fuselage mid-section.

Below, the Skyray prototype XF4D-1 in flight in 1951

Specifications

Type: carrier-based, all-weather interceptor/fighter

Length: 13.79 m (45 feet, 3 inches)

Wing Span: 10.21 m (33 feet, 6 inches)

Wing Area: 51.75 m2 (557 square feet)

Height: 3.96 m (13 feet)

Power Plant: one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-8A turbojet engine.

Maximum Speed: 1,164 km/h (722 mph)

Rate of Climb: 93 m/s (18,300 feet/minute)

Range: 1,930 km (1,200 miles)

Service Ceiling: 16,764 m (55,000 feet)

Avionics: AN/APQ-50 radar

Armament: four internal 20-mm cannons; four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; two 454-kg (1000-lb) bombs.

Crew: one

Below, two F4D Skyray aircraft flying over the Mediterranean in 1959.

video of Skyray operations on carrier (footage)

Below, front view of the Skyray, with wing folded.

Two F4Ds rolling out of echelon, banking right. You can see the auxiliary disposable fuel tank for longer range flight.

Below, two Skyray aircraft on flight deck of a USS carrier in the Pacific.

English Electric Lightning

The English Electric Lightning was a supersonic interceptor aircraft in service with the Royal Air Force between 1959 and 1988. It was the first British combat aircraft to fly at twice the speed of sound in 1958, when it was still a prototype. With a rate of climb of 20,000 ft/min (100 m/s), this warplane could hurtle skywards at an incredible speed to intercept any enemy intruder, such as a bomber.

The prototype of the Lightning, the P.1A, made its first flight on August 4, 1954. It was flown by test pilot Robert P. Beamont and it was escorted by a Canberra aircraft. It was a 33 minutes flight, which would be the start of a very long test program that was to last five years, involving several prototypes. Finally, it entered service with the British Royal Air Force on December 23, 1959, as the F.1A. A total of 337 aircraft would be built by English Electric, with the F.2, F.3, F.3A, T.5 (trainer), and F.6 being the most important variants.

Despite its high speed, it was a maneuverable and reliable aircraft that could also be used as a fighter. During the Cold War, British pilots frequently turned back Soviet reconnaissance aircraft heading for Great Britain's shores. In real combat situations, they would have fired the Firestreak air-to-air missiles on approaching bombers, sending them down in flames. In those days, few other fighters were as fast and formidable as this British aircraft.

Below, the famous British interceptor during the last stage of the flight test program. The bulge on aircraft belly is the fuel tank.

Technical Description

The English Electric Lightning was a single-seat, twin-engine supersonic monoplane. It had highly-swept mid-wing, with the leading edge angle having a sweepback of 60 degrees. Thus, the wing could also be classified as notched delta. The tail assembly horizontal plane was also swept back at same angle and was mounted low on fuselage. The tail vertical fin was set up on top of rear portion of fuselage. The rear wheels of landing gear folded up into wing.

The fuselage of the Lightning was of all-metal construction. Its engines layout was unique as they were mounted one on top of the other. These were Rolls-Royce Avon 302 afterburning turbojet engines, which produced 16,367 pounds of thrust. The air intake was located in the nose of aircraft, being fitted with an air cone. Although the aircraft was popular with pilots, the cockpit was fairly cramped.

Specifications (F.6)

Type: interceptor/fighter aircraft

Length: 16.84 m (55 feet, 3 inches)

Wing Span: 10.62 m (34 feet, 10 inches)

Wing Area: 35.31 m2 (380 square feet)

Height: 5.97 m (19 feet, 7 inches)

Power Plant: two 16,367-lb, Rolls-Royce Avon-302 turbojet engines.

Maximum Speed: Mach 2.3 (2,415 km/h, or 1,500 mph)

Range: 1,200 km (746 miles)

Service Ceiling: 16,500 m (54,134 feet)

Armament: two 30-mm ADEN cannons; two Firestreak heat-seeking missiles.

Below, the prototype P.1A, WG760, in flight in 1954.

The English Electric Lightning F.4 version.

Below, the F.6 version during a passover before touching down on airbase runway.

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was an interceptor aircraft in service with the US Air Force during the Cold War. It was known as the 'Zipper' to pilots as it was the fastest combat aircraft of the 1950s. It was also the first airplane capable of sustaining Mach 2 speeds. Although it had a brief military career in the United States, it would play an important role in Europe as a fighter-bomber. A total of 2,578 Starfighters were produced, with the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) being the main user. It was also employed by the Italians, the Dutch, and Turkish.

Designed by Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson, the prototype, the XF-104, performed its first flight on March 4, 1954. After three years of flight tests, with accidents, it was introduced into service with the US Air Force on February 28, 1958, as the F-104A version. The F-104B, F-104C, F-104F, and F-104G would be the main variants. The F-104B was a tactical fighter and trainer, equipped with two seats in tandem. Meanwhile, the F-104G was the most massively built, with a total of 1,127 aircraft, having a stronger fuselage and improved avionics.

The Lockheed F-104C was a fighter-bomber variant, which was fitted with an upgraded fire-control radar (AN/ASG-14T). It was powered by one General Electric J79-GE-7 afterburning turbojet engine. It was capable to carry one Mk-28 nuclear bomb. This version would be operated by the US Tactical Air Command in the 1960s; during the Vietnam War, it took part in Operation Rolling Thunder in the air support role, providing a protective umbrella for other US Air Force aircraft. It would be retired from active service in the US Air force in 1974, along with the other versions.

Below, photograph of the prototype XF-104, s/n 53-7783, in flight in the skies over California.

Technical Description

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a single-seat, single-engine supersonic monoplane. It had a long, rocket-like, all-metal fuselage, with a long tapered nose. It featured trapezoidal mid-wing, with a 10-degree anhedral angle (downward inclination). It was fitted with a T-tail, with trapezoidal horizontal stabilizer mounted on top of the vertical fin. It had two 170-gal. wingtip fuel tanks. It was equipped with narrow-tracked retractable landing gear.

The location of the horizontal stabilizer on top of the vertical fin raised the center of pressure on the tail, thus increasing induced roll effect during sideslip (downward sharp bank). To offset this increased roll, the wing was designed with a 10-degree negative dihedral (anhedral). The narrow, 6-m wing span was optimized for Mach-2 high speeds performance. The leading edge of wing was so thin and sharp, it was said that it was sharp enough to cut meat with.

Specifications (F-104G)

Type: Interceptro/Fighter Aircraft

Length: 16.69 m (54 feet, 9 inches)

Wing Span: 6.68 m (21 feet, 11 inches)

Wing Area: 18.22 m2 (196 square feet)

Height: 4.11 m (13 feet, 6 inches)

Power Plant: one14,806-lb-thrust, General Electric J79-GE-11A turbojet, with afterburner.

Maximum Speed: 2,330 km/h (1,450 mph)/Mach-2.2

Combat Radius: 800 km (497 miles)

Service Ceiling: 16,764 m (55,000 feet)

Armament: one 20-mm M-61 Vulcan, six-barrel, rotary cannon in fuselage; one centerline rack capable of carrying one 907-kg (2,000-lb) bomb; two underwing pylons each capable of carrying one 454-kg (1,000-lb) bomb. Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

Below, three Starfighters in flight in the 1960s.

The prototype with chief engineering test pilot Herman R. "Fish" Salmon standing beside the aircraft at a military base.

Below, the F-104A, s/n 56-736 flying over Arizona in 1959.

The M-61 Vulcan gattling-gun type cannon.

Lockheed F-94 Starfire

The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was a two-seat, all-weather interceptor used by the US Air Force during the Cold War. Entering service in 1950, it was the first jet-powered aircraft to combine weaponry with an air-to-air radar set. Thus, for more than three years, from 1949 to 1953, it was the first and the only all-weather jet interceptor in service with the US Air Force. As such, it saw useful combat service in the Korean War (1950-1953) and it would be retired in 1959.

The F-94 Starfire was a further development of the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Its prototype, the YF-94, flew for the first time on April 16, 1949. It was flown by test pilot Tony LeVier and it was introduced in May 1950 as the F-94A version. The F-94B and F-94C variants would also be produced, to a total of 854 aircraft built. It played an important role in the Cold War, guarding and protecting the United States from the threat of Soviet bomber attacks.

Below, a ventral view of the first jet-powered interceptor as it banks left in the skies in 1956. It has a swept tailplane and it lacks the rocket pods in the wing because it is the first F-94C version.

Technical Characteristics

The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was a two-seat, single-engine monoplane, with straight low-wing design. It had a cylindrical all-metal fuselage, with a tail assembly fitted with a classical straight tailplane (horizontal stabilizer) and conventional fin and rudder. It also featured wing-tip fuel tanks to increase its operational range. The fuselage of the F-94C version had a longer nose and a dorsal ridge, which extended from the tail fin to the cockpit, and a swept tailplane). The landing gear was of the tricycle type, folding up inwardly into wings and fuselage.

The F-94 Starfire was developed into an all-weather interceptor by adding an APG-32 and a Hughes E-1 fire control system (The F-94C had an APG-40 radar and an E-5 FCS) to the original prototype. It was also fitted with a rear seat for the observer. The initial production versions of the F-94 were powered by one Allison J33 turbojet. However the F-94C was equipped with a Pratt & Whitney J48-P-5 centrifugal-flow tubojet engine.

Specifications (F-94B)

Type: all-weather interceptor aircraft

Length: 12.22 m (40 feet, 1 inch)

Wing Span: 11.86 m (38 feet, 11 inches)

Wing Area: 21.81 m2 (235 square feet)

Height: 3.86 m (12 feet, 8 inches)

Power Plant: one Allison J33-A-33 turbojet engine, which produced 6,001 lb of thrust.

Maximum Speed: 975 km/h (606 mph)

Range: 1,455 km (904 miles)

Service Ceiling: 14,630 m (48,000 feet)

Crew: two

Armament: eight 12.7-mm (.50-cal) machine guns; Mk-40 folding-fin aerial rockets.

Avionic: APG-32 radar.

Below, the F-94C Starfire in flight in the skies over California. You can see the wing-mounted rocket pods, each holding 12 Mk-40 rockets + 24 in nose.

The F-94B version flying over the Pacific off the USA's western coast.

Below, the Lockheed F-94 fires a salvo of highly accurate 70-mm rockets.