Northrop Aircraft delivered F-89D/J Scorpion No. 52-2129 to the USA on January 5, 1955, and its last assignment was with the 4500th Air Base Wing at Langley AFB in Hampton, Virginia, in July 1962. The F-89 Scorpion was an American all-weather interceptor built during the 1950s and the first jet-powered aircraft designed from the outset for that role to enter service. It was designed to carry a heavy radar set and massive firepower to destroy Soviet nuclear bombers. Though its straight wings limited its performance, it was among the first USAF jet fighters equipped with guided missiles and was the first combat aircraft armed with air-to-air nuclear weapons. The F-89J was the last variation, flown by the USAF through 1959 and by the Air National Guard until 1969, and 1,050 Scorpions of all variants were produced. The F-101F Voodoo No. 56-0246 first appeared in 1954 as part of a design originally intended as a penetrator and long-range escort fighter, based on the earlier XF-88, with no actual prototype F-101 built. Later versions served as long-range interceptors and reconnaissance aircraft. Built by McDonnell Aircraft of St. Louis, Missouri, it was delivered to the Air Force on September 26, 1958, immediately modified to JF-101B configuration for testing by McDonnell, then later modified to F-101F and TF-101F configurations while serving with several active units. Its last duty assignment was with the Air National Guard at Selfridge AFB in Michigan, and it was retired in May 1972. Its markings represent an F-101B assigned to the 440th Air Defense Group at Langley AFB, Virginia.
