The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

With my F-94C build on hold, on to my third build. In this case it is going to be a kit bash and converting a Revell F-89D/J in 1/72 scale to the F-89H model. The F-89H was the last last new-build Scorpion to leave the production line as the 'J' model was a re-manufactured 'D' with Genie capability. The big difference between the D and the H model is that the H introduced a new wing pod that replaced the all-unguided rocket armament with 6 GAR-1 (Later AIM-4A) Falcon semi-active radar homing missiles and 42 Folding Fin Arial Rockets.







This should be a easy conversion as all I plan on doing is adding the missile/rocket pods from the Hobbycraft kit to the Revell F-89D/J.

Finished the pre-painting and started work on kitbashing the wingtip missile/rocket pod.



I am using a Superscale set of decals that are for the F-89 D/J variants. Ironically, markings I am using are actually for the F-89H that has the Falcon missiles on the pods as shown in the "F-89 Walkaround" by Squadron

This marking are yummy! It will be a looker.

Basic build finished. Now, on to painting. The silver parts are the Revell kit and the Grey from Hobbycraft.

Wow, that is the stage you know you won! Looking good.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, my third and final contribution to this build:

Northrop F-89H Scorpion, serial number 54-333, from the 76th FIS at Pinecastle AFB, Florida, late 1950s.











I now have three F-89s sitting on display with a fourth waiting in my stash (F-89D). Here is a first generation F-89A Scorpion (Hobbycraft) for comparison with the F-89H.





Notice the original armament was six 20mm cannons in a different nose.

The final version of the Scorpion was the F-89J, which was a 'D' model updated to handle Genie nuclear air-to-air rockets and Falcon air-to-air missiles. It was a F-89J that fired a live Genie in the only test of a nuclear armed air-to-air missile in Operation Plumbbob on 19 July 1957. The last 'J' Scorpion was not retired until 1969. Here is a F-89J around the time of it's retirement to compare with the F-89H. Note, the two AIR-2 Genies hanging from the outboard pylons.

Very nice outcome, they all three are stunning models!

Lovely builds Chuck, and informative as well; I never knew (make that ever dreamed!) that anyone would be mad enough to make a nuclear armed air to air missile

iggie wrote:Lovely builds Chuck, and informative as well; I never knew (make that ever dreamed!) that anyone would be mad enough to make a nuclear armed air to air missile

It was the 1950s. Even the Surface to Air Missiles that were protecting the United States such as Nike-Hercules, Nike-Ajax and Bomarc were armed with low yield nuclear warheads. The idea was to lob one into a Soviet bomber formation and take them all out with one shot. The Genie was also carried by the F-101B Voodoo, CF-101B Voodoo, and F-106A Delta Dart. It was not removed from the USAF inventory until 1988 with the F-106s retirement.

Well done Chuck, a great trio.