F-89 Scorpion

U.S. Air Force photo 155392 AC

F-89 H SCORPION - (1955) - SCORPION'S STING EXPOSED....This official
photograph reveals details of the devastating wallop packedd by the
USAF-Northrop Scorpion F-89H. The Scorpion carried six Hughes Falcon guided
missiles -- three in each of its big wingtip pods, plus 42 2.75-inch
air-to-air rockets. The Falcon missiles were carried within the wing pods
until ready to be fired. Then they were extended from the sides of the pods
as shown in this view. The air-to-air rockets were installed in the pods in
clusters of seven behind frangible fairings at the front of the pods. The
Falcon missiles and the rockets could be fired selectively. This enabled
the Scorpion to make several passes at a single target or to move in for the
kill on several separate enemy bombers. Any one of the Falcons or the
rockets was capable of knocking down the biggest bomber. The Falcon, with a
range measured in miles, could be launched from considerably below the
altitude of an attacking bomber, could climb at bullet speed and use its
electronic eyes and brain to strike the target, even though the bomber was
going through evasive maneuvers. F-89H airplanes were flown
arounf-the-clock by fighter-intercepter squadrons of the Air Defense
Command, the Icelandic Air Defense Command and the Air Natioanl Guard. The
F-89 was one of the most adaptable interceptor aircraft in the world.
Armament on the various models of the F-89 encompassed almost all types of
air-to-air weapons.