LOCKHEED F-94 C STARFIRE - EARLY VERSION

The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was an American interceptor from the Cold War period. The prototype flight took place in April 1949. A year later, the machine entered the line and was withdrawn from it in 1959. In total, about 850-860 copies of this aircraft were built. The drive was provided by a single engine Pratt and Whitney J48-P-5 turbojet . The plane reached the maximum speed of 1030 km / h, and its maximum range was 2050 kilometers. The F-94 Starfire was commissioned by the US Air Force to replace the P-61 Black Widow and P-82 Twin Mustang fighters. The new machine was to be powered by a jet engine, have an on-board radar and the ability to operate in all weather conditions, and to be able to fight Soviet Tu-4 bombers. Lockheed lived up to these goals and relied heavily on the T-33 Shooting Star for the design of the F-94. The first serial version of the Starfire was the F-94A, armed with four 12.7mm M2 machine guns. Later, the F-94B appeared, which had more advanced electronics and an ILS radio navigation system. The biggest changes took place in the F-94C model, which had a completely new radar, fire control system, sights and a power unit. It also had no fixed armament, only unguided Mk.4 / Mk.40 FFAR missiles. A version of the F-94D was also created, but it did not enter mass production. The F-94 aircraft took a limited part in the Korean War (1950-1953). The only user of them was the United States.