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McDonnell F3H-2N (F-3C) 'Demon'

Description
  Manufacturer:McDonnell
  Base model:F3H
  Designation:F3H
  Version:-2N
  Nickname:Demon
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1922-1962
  Basic role:Fighter
  Modified Mission:All weather operation
  See Also:

Specifications
  Length: 58' 11" 17.9 m
  Height:14' 6" 4.4 m
  Wingspan: 35' 4" 10.7 m
  Wingarea: 519.0 sq ft 48.2 sq m
  Empty Weight: 21,287 lb 9,653 kg
  Gross Weight: 31,145 lb 14,124 kg
  Max Weight: 39,000 lb 17,687 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 1
  Powerplant: Allison J71-A-2E (A/B 14,250Lb)
  Thrust (each): 9,500 lb 4,308 kg

Performance
  Range: 1,180 miles 1,900 km
  Max Speed: 716 mph 1,152 km/h 622 kt
  Climb: 14,350 ft/min 4,373 m/min
  Ceiling: 42,650 ft 12,999 m


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Paul Sherbino
 Redwood, NY
I deployed with VF193 on the Bon Homme Richard after we transitioned feom F2H Banjo's to Demons. I off loafed mid cruise to Atsugi airfield with AD2 Pemberton, AD2 Covington and an electrician. As AD3 I was junior member. We were to receive aircrsft due for engine removal for inspection as we took up so much hangar space on ship. but after 2 months no aircraft arrived and we returned to the ship. I still have my cruise book and communicate with a coiuple of shipmates. I retired after 30+ years as MCPO.
08/25/2012 @ 13:44 [ref: 66408]
 Varn Nolf
 San Jose, CA
question. Was the Demon ever used in Korea on The USS Lexington?
08/25/2010 @ 17:39 [ref: 29362]
 James C Parkinson
 Siloam Springs, AR
I served on the Hancock as a Gunfire Control Tech. On our WESPAC cruise in 1959, making my rounds on secondary battery security watch; I happened to be on the 05 level, just outside the bridge, when I heard an unfamiliar sound -- the crash signal. An incoming F3H then hit the fantail, burst into flames, and went over the port side just over the forward 5-inch gun tub. I can still see that pilot, frozen at the controls. We never found him.
05/26/2008 @ 08:23 [ref: 21006]
 S.L.Chavez
 Espanola, NM
If you knew Tomas (Tommy) Chavez, please contact me at tzen_1@yahoo.com. Thanks again!
06/20/2007 @ 20:20 [ref: 16899]
 S.L. Chavez
 Espanola, NM
My Uncle- Tomas (Tommy) Chavez was a plane captain on board the USS Lexington. He was lost at sea on August 19, 1957 during a storm in which the plane he was attemting to secure on deck was thrown overboard. I am looking for anyone who may have known him or at least known of the accident and would appreciate emails regarding him and/or the accident. My Dad is his younger brother and it would the world to him to get in contact with friends, shipmates, etc. Thank you!
06/20/2007 @ 20:17 [ref: 16898]
 Bill Davidson
 Marietta, GA
WAS YN IN VF 193 1954-55 CVA 34. DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE AIR CRAFT. THINK WE HAD THE F3H4? WAS A WONDERFUL PART OF MY LIVE. GOT TO SERVE UNDER THEN CDR M WEISNER WHO BECAME CONSERVPAC AND OF COURSER THEN LTCDR A. P. SHEPARD WHO (YOU KNOW). MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE UP MOST OF THE TIME. WE GOT AN (E) IN 55.
04/26/2007 @ 16:03 [ref: 16316]
 cat
 , AK
old mcdonnell had a farm e i e i o and on that farm he had a bomb e i e i o
02/19/2007 @ 11:35 [ref: 15586]
 cat
 , AK
old mcdonnell had a farm e i e i o and that farm he had a mcdonnell f3h-2n e i e i o
02/19/2007 @ 11:34 [ref: 15585]
 Tom Rogers
 Concord, NC
I reported aboard VF-92 in Jan.1958. The squadron was about t transition from the F2H-4 Banshee to the F3H-2 Demon. As a plane capt. on a Banshee it was a great AC to be a part of, but could not wait to be a Demon Doctor. Life is what you make it , the J-71 was not the most powerful engine but when you worked on it it was as good as any. The Demon was a very steady platform and provided the Navy the Fighter it needed in a cold war situation. The F8 had the J57 and it was a more powerful engine, but could be tempermental. I went to F8U-2N school in Dallas , Texas for 6 weeks when in VX-4. We got # 3,4,5,&6 off the assembly line. I was a member of the Carrier acceptability team for the F8U-2N. It too could be a bear. All in all I liked the Demon , We flew the heck out of it in VF-92 and VX-4.and as the best of the 4 cold war fighters it did the job. (F7U-2M, F4D-2, F11F-1 & F3H-2)
08/15/2006 @ 11:17 [ref: 13891]
 J.D. Blair
 Virginia Beach, VA
During the first six or so years of my more than 30 in the U.S. Navy, I was quite involved with the F-3H Demon, First as a crash fire fighter at Nas Miramar from from 1958-60 , then I was attached to two different Demon squadrons, VF-92 Silver kings aboard USS Ranger, both home ported at Nas Alameda and VF-193 Ghostriders aboard USS Bon Homme Richard, homeported at NAS Miramar and NAS North Island respectively.

The first couple of years we were kept real busy with "Emergency runs" on Demons for such things as hydraulic system failures, over heated brakes, blown tires and the unreliable fire warning system.

In VF-92, it seemed like no one in the squadron wanted to get along and we struggled to keep them flying. VF-193 was totally different and we enjoyed a high degree of operational readiness, with everone having a team spirit.

Yes, it took a lot of work to keep them flying, but for those of us who endeavored to learn her systems well, she could also perform her mission well as the test bed for weapons systems we still use today.
01/26/2006 @ 09:18 [ref: 12325]

 

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