USS Intrepid
McDonnell F3H-2N (F-3B) Demon
The F3H-2N Demon was designed and built by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (later McDonnell Douglas and now Boeing) of St. Louis, Missouri. Founded by pilot and engineer James Smith McDonnell after World War II (1939–45), the company produced the successful straight-winged Banshee jet fighter for the U.S. Navy during the Korean War (1950–53).
The firm designed the Demon to be one of the next generation of Navy swept-wing fighters to counter Russian MiG-15s and 17s. The Demon, in turn, also acted as a major design link to McDonnell’s phenomenal F-4 Phantom of the 1960s.
The single-seat Demon made its first flight on August 7, 1951. The aircraft’s large wings, with power-operated slats Demonthat aided in providing lift at low speed, gave it smooth handling at high altitudes as well as good response during carrier landings. Designed as a cannon and missile-carrying fighter, the Demon could fly 647 mph (1041 kph) up to heights of 42,650 feet (12,999 m).
USS Intrepid
McDonnell F3H-2N (F-3B) Demon
The F3H-2N Demon was designed and built by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (later McDonnell Douglas and now Boeing) of St. Louis, Missouri. Founded by pilot and engineer James Smith McDonnell after World War II (1939–45), the company produced the successful straight-winged Banshee jet fighter for the U.S. Navy during the Korean War (1950–53).
The firm designed the Demon to be one of the next generation of Navy swept-wing fighters to counter Russian MiG-15s and 17s. The Demon, in turn, also acted as a major design link to McDonnell’s phenomenal F-4 Phantom of the 1960s.
The single-seat Demon made its first flight on August 7, 1951. The aircraft’s large wings, with power-operated slats Demonthat aided in providing lift at low speed, gave it smooth handling at high altitudes as well as good response during carrier landings. Designed as a cannon and missile-carrying fighter, the Demon could fly 647 mph (1041 kph) up to heights of 42,650 feet (12,999 m).