Lockheed F-94C Starfire, 51-5623 / 880-8219, Pima Air & Space Museum
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 51-5623
Construction Number: 880-8219
Code Number: 15623 / FA-623
Model Lockheed F-94C Starfire
Operator: Pima Air & Space Museum
Airport: Tucson - Pima Air and Space Museum, USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/1992
Date Submitted: 14/07/2009
The Lockheed F-94 was the first operational jet-powered all-weather interceptor for the United States Air Force and was a development of the T-33 trainer. The lengthened nose in the F-94C housed the AN/APG-40 radar, Hughes E-5 fire control system and the aircraft's armament, 24 2.75 inch Mighty Mouse rockets. These weapons were stowed underneath access panels on the sides of the nose and were fired by opening four panels located aft of the radome. It was found however, that if the nose rockets were fired, the crew tended to be blinded by the rocket exhaust, so in service they were rarely fitted. Instead, two mid-wing mounted fuel and rocket pods could be carried, each holding 12 rockets. The F-94C was powered by a license-built version of the afterburning Rolls-Royce Tay (known in the USA as the Pratt & Whitney J48-P-5), the 'C' model also featured a much thinner wing than the earlier versions. The first production F-94Cs were delivered in July 1951, with 387 examples of the type eventually being delivered before May 1954. They were retired from USAF service in 1959, Air National Guard units retired their F-94s in 1960. This particular example wears the markings of the 354th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, based at Oxnard AFB, California. She was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum by Dr. Homer E. Cornell.
Picture ID:1182701