VMCJ-2 brought the new EA-6 and VMCJ-3 brought the new RF-4. Good to see so many Marines that were with the VMCJ-2 and VMCJ-3 squadrons that combined for the first time to go to Da Nang and form VMCJ-1. That big ugly whale was a really hard foe for the MiGs in Korea. Had a short tour TAD with MACS-1, always talking to our guys in 513 on the way out. Capt, Andre, great pilot> We flew out of Atsugi, but also out of k6 and came back to Atsugi when Mag-11 moved to Atsugi under Therin. The airplane successfully, with the help of ground radar, shot down a Yak-15 over Shinui-ju. Turkington ( Turk )was a night fighter pilot who flew this plane in Korea after flying carrier based Hellcats and Corsairs in the Pacific 43-45.Anybody out there remember the name?īased on my knowledge, this aircraft achieved the first night kill of the Korean war. I was with VMF(AW)542 stationed at El Toro in 1957-1959.I have many fond memories of ole willy. I =talked to you previously about your Dad Bobby Allen flying with VC-4 and VMF(N)-513 during the Korean War.YOu were looking for additional items, photos.did you find any.would love to hear what other things you have discovered. I would sure like to hear from anyone who was in my squadron and those that remember the F3D-2 and the Flying Nightmare. I was at K-6 when VMF(N)513 was in Pyeongtaek, Korea when the squadron when to Atsugi, Japan. Lost a plane on third day of operations, all ops cancelled headed back to Norfolk and was overtaken by Hurricane Hazel I was in VF-14 at Cecil Field, Jacksonville, FL In 1954 went aboard Carrier Intrepid with 6 F3D's. Also lost cabin pressure at 30,000 and came hgome with some beatiful shiners.Īvionic Tech.Marines,work on them,El toro.Ca.,Iwakunia,Japan and Dang,Veinam. My pilot got in trouble by flying max speed about 75 feet above the beach for 20 miles, It was fun. We received mothballed F3D's at NAS GlynncobRUNSWICK GA and utilized them as RIO training planes before the F-4 arrived. Some Skyknights had been retired by 1965, but many ECM versions were operating in Vietnam until 1969.Ģ x Westinghouse J34-WE-36/36A turbojets, 1542kg The Skynight saw extensive use in Korea, this all-weather fighter accounting for the majority of all victories scored by the US Navy and US Marine Corps.į3D-1s and F3D-2s were redesignated F-10A and F-1OB respectively with introduction of the new US tri-service designation system in September 1962. The first of these F3D-2s was flown on 14 February 1951 and all had been delivered just over a year later. Improvements included the provision of an autopilot and updated systems and equipment. It was intended that the F3D-2 should be powered by 2087kg thrust J46-WE-3 turbojets, but development of this engine was abandoned and, instead, they were all powered by J34-WE-36s. These engines were uprated subsequently to 1474kg thrust, becoming redesignated J34-WE-34.ĭouglas had received a contract for production of an improved F3D-2, which was to be the major and ultimate production version, with a total of 237 built. The F3D-1 differed from the prototypes by having improved avionics and equipment and, as delivered initially, had 1361kg thrust J34-WE-32 turbojets. The first of these was flown on 13 February 1950 and the type began to enter service in early 1951. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 23 March 1948, but while company testing was still in progress an initial contract for the construction of 28 F3D-1 Skyknight production aircraft was received. Two 1361kg thrust Westinghouse J34-WE-24 turbojets, mounted on the lower edges of the forward fuselage, beneath the wing roots. Landing gear was of retractable tricycle-type, and the powerplant of the prototypes comprised An unusual feature was a crew escape tunnel, extending from the rear of the cabin to the underside of the fuselage. The circular-section fuselage mounted hydraulically actuated speed-brakes, provided side-by-side pressurised accommodation for the pilot and radar operator, and carried at the rear a tail unit very similar to that of the D-558-1 Skystreak. The type emerged as a cantilever mid-wing monoplane of all-metal construction, the wings incorporating hydraulic folding for carrier stowage. A US Navy requirement for a turbojet-powered carrier-based night fighter resulted in Douglas receiving a contract for three prototype aircraft in this category under the designation Douglas XF3D-1.