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Douglas F3D Skyknight
One of the pressing needs of
the U.N. Air and Naval Air Forces was for a modern night fighter. The USAF
entered the war with the North American F-82 as its primary nocturnal fighter
in Korea. However, these aircraft were limited in number and their performance,
although truly excellent by piston engine standards, was not up to the
task of tangling with MiG-15 fighters in the dark skies over Korea. Eventually,
Lockheed's F-94 Starfire was employed. However, this aircraft experienced
only limited success. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps was operating the
Vought F4U-5N to counter communist night-time raiders. Like the F-82, the
Corsair was successful against slower piston engine aircraft. Indeed, the
Navy's only Korea ace gained his five victories flying the Corsair night
fighter. Despite its great value, the F4U-5N was not capable of dealing
with the MiG-15. For the Marines, their primary night fighter was the Grumman
F7F-3N Tigercat. This twin-engine machine was also extremely capable against
slower targets, but lacked the speed to track down and kill communist Yak-15
and MiG 15 fighters. The solution for the Navy and Marines was the Douglas
F3D-2 Skyknight. A large twin-engine, straight wing jet, the F3D placed
its flight crew side-by-side. Fitted with a powerful radar, it could track
and kill any aircraft it might encounter in the black murk in which it
flew. No match for any of the jet powered fighters in daylight, the F3D
ruled the night and proved to be a real threat to communist jets any time
they came up after dark. In fact, the F3D--2 scored more victories than
any other Naval aircraft, including the Grumman F9F Panther. Eventually,
the F3D-2 was used in the role of BARCAP, patrolling ahead of B-29s during
night bombing missions over North Korea. Skyknights led the way, clearing
the sky of enemy interceptors and were so effective that not one B-29 was
lost to enemy fighters when escorted by the F3D-2.
Sitting out in the morning sun,
four F3D-2 Skyknights belonging to VMFN-513 await the dark to perform their
mission. These aircraft have their anti-FOD screens fitted to their jet
intakes. FOD (Foreign Object Damage) was a serious problem for all jet
aircraft. It was an even greater problem for aircraft with jet intakes
slung close to the ground, where the powerful suction of the engines can
pull in all manner of debris that will beat up the compressor blades of
the engines. Objects such as nuts and bolts can destroy an engine in seconds.
Read More About This Aircraft
Return To Main Page: The Air War Over Korea
Unless otherwise indicated, all articles Copyright © Corey C. Jordan 2001.
Reproduction for distribution, or posting to a public forum without express
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