Douglas F3D Skyknight

{{Short description|U.S. twinjet night fighter aircraft (1951–1970)}} {{Redirect2|Skyknight|F3D|other uses of Skyknight|Skyknight (disambiguation)|the legal citation "F.3d"|Federal Reporter}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name = F3D (F-10) Skyknight |image = File:Douglas EF-10B Skyknight of VMCJ-2 in flight, circa in the 1960s.jpg |caption = EF-10B ''Skyknight'' of VMCJ-2 ''Playboys'' |type = [[Fighter aircraft]] |national_origin = [[United States]] |manufacturer= [[Douglas Aircraft Company]] |first_flight= 23 March 1948 |introduction = 1951 |retired = 1970 |status = Retired |primary_user= [[United States Navy]] |more_users = [[United States Marine Corps]] |produced = |number_built= 265 |variants= |developed_into = [[Douglas F6D Missileer]] }}

The '''Douglas F3D Skyknight''' ([[1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system|later redesignated]] '''F-10 Skyknight''') is an American twin-engined, mid-wing [[fighter aircraft|jet fighter aircraft]] designed and manufactured by the [[Douglas Aircraft Company]].

It was designed in response to a 1945 [[United States Navy]] requirement for a jet-powered, radar-equipped, carrier-based [[night fighter]]. Douglas designed the aircraft around the bulky [[aircraft interception radar|air intercept radar]] systems of the era, resulting in a wide, deep, and roomy fuselage that accommodated its two-man crew. An initial contract was issued to Douglas on 3 April 1946. The ''XF3D-1'' prototype performed its [[maiden flight]] on 23 March 1948. During June 1948, a production contract for 28 ''F3D-1'' production aircraft was received. It was equipped with a [[Westinghouse AN/APQ-35]] [[fire control system]], which incorporated three separate radars and was an essential component of its night fighter operations.

The F3D saw service with the [[United States Navy]] and [[United States Marine Corps]]. Its primary mission was to locate and destroy enemy aircraft at night.<ref>''Standard Aircraft Characteristics F3D-2 Skyknight'' NAVAER 1335C REV. 10-51.</ref> The Skyknight was not produced in great numbers, yet it achieved numerous firsts in its role as a night fighter during the [[Korean War]], where the type frequently escorted [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress]]es on night bombing missions. While it never achieved the fame of the [[North American F-86 Sabre]], it downed several Soviet-built [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]]s as a night fighter over Korea. It suffered only a single air-to-air loss against a [[People's Liberation Army Air Force|Chinese]] MiG-15, which occurred on the night of 29 May 1953.<ref name="dtic.mil">[http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a407636.pdf "Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office: Korean War Air Loss Database (KORWALD)."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818045202/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a407636.pdf |date=18 August 2022 }} ''dtic.mil.'' Retrieved: 10 August 2013.</ref><ref>Zhang 2002, pp. 194–195.</ref> A total of 237 F3D-2s were completed before production was terminated on 23 March 1952.

The Skyknight played an important role in the development of the radar-guided [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] missile, which led to further guided [[air-to-air missile]] developments. It also served as an [[electronic warfare]] platform in the [[Vietnam War]] as a precursor to the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder|EA-6A Intruder]] and [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler|EA-6B Prowler]]. The aircraft is sometimes unofficially called "Skynight", dropping the second "k". The unusual, portly profile earned it the nickname "Willie the Whale".<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/skyknight.htm "Douglas Skyknight."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511222616/http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/skyknight.htm |date=11 May 2008 }} ''Boeing history''. Retrieved: 23 August 2010.</ref> Some Vietnam War [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] veterans have referred to the Skyknight as "[[Turd|Drut]]", whose meaning becomes obvious when read backwards.{{additional citations needed|date=August 2024}} This may be in reference to its age, unflattering looks, or the low-slung air intakes that made it vulnerable to [[foreign object damage]] (FOD).<ref name="Goebel"/>{{Unreliable source?|sure=y|reason=As per WP:QUESTIONABLE and WP:EXCEPTIONAL, this is a relatively exceptional claim backed by a single, highly questionable source. The source essentially states "I saw it on the internet once." The source does not, I would argue secondarily, qualify as a quality source, but that is separate issue.|date=August 2024}}

==Design and development== ===Origins=== The F3D was not intended to be a typical sleek and nimble dogfighter, but as a standoff night fighter, being outfitted with a powerful radar system and a second crew member. It originated in 1945 with a US Navy requirement for a jet-powered, radar-equipped, carrier-based night fighter. The Douglas team led by [[Ed Heinemann]] designed the aircraft around the bulky [[aircraft interception radar|air intercept radar]] systems of the time, placing the pilot and radar operator in [[side-by-side seating]].<ref name= "donald world">Donald 1997, p. 365.</ref><ref name = "thomason 61-62">Thomason 2008, pp. 61-62.</ref> The result was an aircraft with a wide, deep, and roomy fuselage. Aviation author Joe Copalman observed that the F3D was a relatively conventional aircraft, despite its use of [[jet propulsion]], the design team having opted for features such as a straight wing and traditional tail unit.<ref name = "Copalman 6">Copalman 2022, p. 6.</ref>

A large and relatively flat forward windshield was used; while not conducive to high speed flight, it provided distortion-free external visibility, something that was particularly valued for a night fighter at that time.<ref name = "thomason 63"/> The design team opted not to use [[Aircraft fuel tank#Tip tanks|tip tanks]] due to the fuselage already permitting sufficient fuel capacity and the difficulty involved in properly combining the tanks with a [[folding wing]] mechanism. The use of [[ejection seat]]s was also considered but decided against as their inclusion would have necessitated a jettisonable canopy, made [[cabin pressurization|pressurizing the cockpit]] more difficult, and added weight.<ref name = "thomason 63"/> Instead, an escape tunnel was used, similar to the arrangement used in the [[Douglas A-3 Skywarrior]].<ref name="donald world"/><ref name = "Copalman 12">Copalman 2022, p. 12.</ref> The stick was extendable so that more force could be exerted upon it by the pilot as a fallback measure in the event of a [[hydraulic]] failure.<ref name = "thomason 63">Thomason 2008, p. 63.</ref>

The XF3D-1 was selected over a competing submission, [[Grumman]] Aircraft Engineering Corporation's ''G-75'' twin-seat, four-engined, [[Westinghouse J30]]-powered night fighter design (similar layout to their Tigercat), leading to an initial contract being issued on 3 April 1946. The US Navy's [[Bureau of Aeronautics]] (BuAer) also issued a contract to Grumman for two G-75s (BuAer designation ''XF9F-1'') experimental aircraft on 11 April 1946 in case the Skyknight encountered problems. Shortly thereafter, Grumman recognised that the G-75 would not be a successful aircraft, instead, the company had been working on a completely different single-engined day fighter, initially known as the ''G-79''; it would later become the [[Grumman F9F Panther]].<ref>Sullivan 1982, pp. 4, 6.</ref>{{refn|Rather than cancel the G-75 (XF9F-1) contract, BuAer changed the wording to include three entirely different G-79 prototypes. The G-79 became the successful Grumman F9F Panther.<ref>Hardy 1987, p. 79.</ref><ref name="Airvectors.net">Goebel, Greg. [http://www.airvectors.net/avf9f.html "The Grumman F9F Panther/Cougar."] ''Airvectors,'' 1 March 2020. Accessed 1 April 2020.</ref>|group=N}}

===Into flight=== [[File:F3D-2 VMFN-513 Kunsan radar2 1953.jpg|thumb|Maintenance on an APQ-35 radar of an F3D-2 in Korea, 1953]]

On 23 March 1948, the ''XF3D-1'' performed its [[maiden flight]] from Douglas' El Segundo facility with test pilot [[Russell William Thaw|Russell Thaw]] at the controls.{{refn|Russell Thaw as a test pilot for Douglas. Besides the F3D, he was responsible for many test programs, including the [[Douglas XB-43 Jetmaster]] and [[Douglas F4D Skyray|Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray]].<ref>[https://thetartanterror.blogspot.ca/2011/04/russell-william-thaw-1910-1984.html "Russell William Thaw, 1910–1984."] ''Test & Research pilots, Flight Test Engineers.'' Retrieved: 3 August 2013.</ref>|group=N}} While [[wind tunnel]] testing had indicated the need for aerodynamic changes, such as the addition of [[wing fence]]s, flight testing provided these to be unnecessary.<ref name = "thomason 63"/> Flight testing continued at El Segundo up until October 1948, after which the three prototypes were transported to [[Muroc Air Force Base]] (later renamed Edwards Air Force Base) to participate in service trials. These units were powered by a pair of [[Westinghouse J34]]-WE-24 turbojets, capable of {{cvt|3000|lbf|kN}} thrust, which were installed underneath the [[wing root|root]]s of then-standard straight wings of the early jet era. During June 1948, a production contract for 28 ''F3D-1'' production aircraft, powered by improved J34-WE-32 engines, was issued; relatively little external changes were made between the prototype and production aircraft, save for the enlargement of the engine nacelles.<ref name = "thomason 61">Thomason 2008, p. 61.</ref> The first production aircraft made its first flight on 13 February 1950.<ref name="Gunstonp172">Gunston 1981, p. 172.</ref> That same month, shore-based testing was concluded.<ref name = "thomason 63"/>

As a night fighter that was not expected to be as fast as smaller daylight fighters, the expectation was to have a stable platform for its radar system and the four 20 mm cannon mounted in the lower fuselage. Yet, the F3D was capable of outturning a [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]] jet fighter.<ref name="Dorrp154">Dorr 1994, p. 154.</ref> The fire control system in the F3D-1 was the [[Westinghouse AN/APQ-35]]. The AN/APQ-35 was advanced for the time, a combination of three different radars, each performing separate functions: an AN/APS-21 search radar, an AN/APG-26 tracking radar, both located in the nose, and an AN/APS-28 tail warning radar.<ref name="Badrocke p41,44-5">Badrocke 1993, pp. 41, 44–45.</ref> The AN/APS-21 was capable of detecting aircraft at distances up to 20 miles away while the AN/APG-26 could achieve a weapons lock up to 2.25 miles away and the AN/APS-28 was effective up to 10 miles away.<ref name = "Copalman 6"/><ref name = "thomason 61-63">Thomason 2008, pp. 61, 63.</ref> The complexity of this [[vacuum tube]]-based radar system, produced before the advent of [[semiconductor]] electronics, required intensive maintenance to keep it operating properly.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}}

The F3D-1 was followed by the ''F3D-2'', which was first ordered in August 1949. This model was intended to have [[Westinghouse J46]] engines in enlarged nacelles to replace the J34-WE-32 engines of the F3D-1; however, on account of development problems with the J46, the F3D-2 was initially fitted with J34-WE-36 engines instead. Higher-thrust J34-WE-38 engines were installed later, noticeably increasing the aircraft's performance.<ref name="Gunstonp172"/> Additional changes on the F3D-2 included the incorporation of an improved Westinghouse AN/APQ-36 fire control system, [[autopilot]], [[air conditioning]], and a [[bulletproofing|bulletproof]] windscreen.<ref name = "Copalman 7">Copalman 2022, p. 7.</ref><ref name = "thomason 64">Thomason 2008, p. 64.</ref> A total of 237 F3D-2s were built prior to production being terminated on 23 March 1952. At one stage, a higher performance ''F3D-3'' variant, equipped with [[swept wing]]s and J46 engines, was planned, yet work was cancelled after the J46's development was so troublesome that officials opted to terminate work.

==Operational history== [[File:F3D-2 VMFN-513 Kunsan 1953.jpg|thumb|F3D-2s of VMFN-513 at [[Kunsan Air Base]], Korea, in 1953]]

===Korean War=== The 28 F3D-1s produced were primarily used to train F3D crews; as such, this model did not see combat in the [[Korean War]].<ref name = "thomason 64-65">Thomason 2008, pp. 64-65.</ref> The F3D-2 Skyknight was only operated in the Korean theatre by [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC) land–based squadrons, beginning in August 1952.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/hist-ac/f3d-2.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/19980703150755/http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/hist-ac/f3d-2.pdf |archive-date = 3 July 1998 |url-status = dead |title = SkyKnight |publisher = Naval Aviation News |access-date = 2 August 2013}}</ref><ref name = "Copalman 6-8">Copalman 2022, pp. 6-8.</ref> The first aircraft to arrive in Korea were initially unable to commence operations due to a lack of gun barrel extensions, which were necessary to fire the aircraft's cannons safely; the first aircraft to be modified was on 9 August 1952, permitting live operations to commence in the following weeks.<ref name = "Copalman 8">Copalman 2022, p. 8.</ref> Prior to this, exercises were conducted to develop closer coordination with ground controllers, upon whom the F3D-2s were dependent during their night time operations.<ref name = "Copalman 8-9">Copalman 2022, pp. 8-9.</ref>

From the onset of operations, hostile jamming from inside North Korea proved to be effective against onboard radar.<ref name = "Copalman 9">Copalman 2022, p. 9.</ref> This factor contributed to Skyknight pilots often experiencing difficulty when attempting to close in, identify, and lock onto suspected hostile aircraft. Ground-based anti-aircraft artillery, which was often equipped with [[radar]]-guided [[search light]]s, proved to be more of a threat to night time operations over Korea than the occasional MiG-15; such aircraft often acted as [[Bait (luring substance)|bait]], attempting to draw the Skyknights into coordinated traps.<ref name = "Copalman 1011">Copalman 2022, pp. 10-11.</ref> According to Copalman, the AN/APS-28 tail warning radar unit proved quite advantageous in terms of situational awareness.<ref name = "Copalman 1112">Copalman 2022, pp. 11-12.</ref>

The Skyknight was responsible for downing more enemy aircraft over Korea than any other single type of naval aircraft.<ref>[http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/jets4.html "Douglas F3D-2 Sky Knight."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217182748/http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/jets4.html |date=17 December 2007 }} ''Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation and Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 16 December 2007.</ref> The first air-to-air victory was recorded on the night of 2 November 1952 by a USMC F3D-2 piloted by [[Major (United States)|Major]] William T. Stratton Jr., and his radar operator, [[Master Sergeant]] Hans C. Hoglind of [[VMA-513|VMF(N)-513]] Flying Nightmares,<ref name="Grossnick p768"/> Major Stratton shot down what he believed was a [[Yakovlev Yak-15]] (even though no Yak-15s were reported in Korea)<ref name="Goebel">Goebel, Greg.[http://www.faqs.org/docs/air/avskykt.html "The Douglas F3D Skyknight."] ''Airvectors.net,'' 1 September 2002. Retrieved: 2 August 2013.</ref> which was the first successful night radar interception by a jet of another jet.<ref name="Dorrp143">Dorr 1994, p. 143.</ref> The Skyknight claimed its first MiG-15 kill on 8 November 1952, when Captain O.R. Davis and [[Warrant Officer]] D.F. "Ding" Fessler downed a MiG-15 northwest of [[Pyongyang]].<ref name="Dorrp143"/> USMC pilot Lt. Joseph Corvi and his radar operator Sergeant Dan George set another record with the Skyknight on the night of 10 December 1952, when they downed the first aircraft by an aircraft with a radar track and lock-on and without visual contact. They performed the feat by using their radar to lock onto a [[Polikarpov Po-2]] [[biplane]]. They were also credited with another probable kill that night.<ref name="Dorrp149">Dorr 1994, p. 149.</ref>

In January 1953, the number of USMC Skyknights in Korea was doubled to 24; this increase allowed them to effectively escort [[Boeing B-29 Superfortress|B-29 Superfortresses]] on night bombing missions.<ref name="Dorrp153">Dorr 1994, p. 153.</ref><ref name = "thomason 66">Thomason 2008, p. 66.</ref> On 12 January 1953, an F3D-2 of VMF(N)-513 that was escorting B-29s on a night bombing mission was vectored to a contact and shot down the fourth aircraft by a Skyknight.<ref name="Dorrp154">Dorr 1994, p. 154.</ref> By the end of the war, Skyknights had claimed six enemy aircraft (one Polikarpov Po-2, one Yakovlev Yak-15 and four MiG-15s).<ref name="Grossnick p768">Grossnick 1997, p. 768.</ref>

[[File:Vc4-1.jpg|thumb|Squadron members of VC4 (DET44N) at NAS Atlantic City, prior to Korean deployment with Carrier Air Group 4]]

[[File:Squadron_Patch,_VC-4_DET_44(N)_Nightcappers.png|thumb|VC-4 DET 44(N) Squadron Patch during Korea Deployment]]

'''In May 1953, Composite Squadron 4 Detachment 44N''' was deployed to Korea via the U.S.S. Lake Champlain. They sailed through the Mediterranean Sea and on to the eastern Korean coast. After arriving, VC-4 flew a few patrols from the ship, but it was soon apparent that the planes were not well suited for the ships wooden deck. The exhaust nozzles on the F3D were angled slightly down and during take-off, the jet's exhaust scorched the teakwood deck of the ship. After each take-off the deck hands would rush out onto the deck and put out the smoldering fires. After several of these fire drills, the Ship's Captain insisted that VC-4 be transferred to the mainland and join up with VMF(N) 513. <ref>Information conveyed to William Allen by VC4 Radar Operator AT3 Ben Latawiec in August 2020.</ref>

'''On 23 June 1953, VC4 (DET44N) joined with VMF(N) 513 at K-6 Airbase''' south of Seoul. The mission of VC-4 DET44N as directed by Commander Task Force NINETY-ONE and as employed as an integral part of Marine All Weather Fighter Squadron 513 based ashore, providing night fighter escort for U.S. Air Force medium bomber (B-50) strikes on targets in North Korea and providing night combat air patrols in the Chodo Island area, extending from the Haeju peninsula to the Yalu River. <ref name="ReferenceA">Addendum I Action Report of VC-4 Detachment 44N, 19 Jun 53 to 27 July 53.</ref>

One F3D, piloted by LTJG Bob Bick and his RO, [[Chief Petty Officer]] Linton Smith, was lost to enemy fire on 2 July 1953. This aircraft was part of the detachment from Fleet Composite Squadron FOUR (VC-4) at [[Atlantic City Air National Guard Base|NAS Atlantic City]].<ref>O'Rourke and Woodbridge 1998, {{page needed|date=July 2023}}.</ref>

[[File:F3D-2 Landing at K6 Airbase, Korea 1952.jpg|thumb|F3D-2 Landing at K6 Airbase, Korea 1952]] '''Operational Comments June 1953 through July 1953''' The following are excerpts from Carrier Air Group FOUR, Action Report of VC-4 Detachment 44N for period 19 June 1953 to 27 July 1953.

1. The radar equipment in the F3D-2 is excellent, however the relatively low speed and slow rate of climb of the aircraft prohibits exploiting the advantage of the excellent radar coverage against high speed enemy jets.

2. The extreme visibility of the glow from the engines' tailpipes offers an easy target for a pursuer and a detriment to the evasiveness of the aircraft.

3. The near vertical forward windshield and the lack of windshield wipers, limits the visibility of the pilot, on a final GCA approach in heavy rain, to the curved side panel. Under such conditions of heavy rain, forward visibility is extremely poor. <ref name="ReferenceA"/>

While the Skyknight lacked the swept wings and high subsonic performance of the MiG-15, its powerful fire control system enabled it to find and shoot down other fighters at night, while most MiG-15s could only be guided by ground-based radar.

===Post Korean War=== [[File:Douglas XF3D-1 Skyknight in flight with four AAM-N-2 Sparrow missiles, circa in the early 1950s.jpg|thumb|F3D–1 Skyknight carrying AAM-N-2 Sparrow I missiles during tests in the early 1950s]] [[File:F3D-1 Skyknight launches Sparrow missile in 1950.jpg|thumb|F3D–1 Skyknight firing a AAM-N-2 Sparrow I missile during a test in 1950]]

Following the Korean War, the F3D was gradually replaced by more powerful aircraft with better radar systems. Its stability and spacious fuselage made the aircraft easily adaptable to other roles. The F3D (under the designations ''F3D-1M'' and ''F3D-2M'') was used to support development of a number of air-to-air missile systems during the 1950s, including the [[AIM-7 Sparrow|Sparrow]] I, II, and III and Meteor missiles.<ref name="Parsch">Parsch, Andreas. [https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-7.html "Raytheon AAM-N-2,3,6/AIM-101/AIM-7/RIM-7 Sparrow."] ''Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles'', 2007. Retrieved: 5 August 2013.</ref> The Sparrow missile was developed at [[Naval Air Missile Test Center|Pacific Missile Test Center]] and early test firings were conducted at [[Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake|Naval Ordnance Test Station China Lake]]. During 1954, the F3D-2M became the first Navy jet aircraft to be fitted with an operational air-to-air missile, the Sparrow I,<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine = Popular Mechanics |publisher = Hearst Magazines |title = Guided Missiles Ride Navy Jet |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sdwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA116 |date = November 1954 |page = 116}}</ref><ref name = "thomason 167">Thomason 2008, p. 167.</ref> an all weather day/night [[beyond-visual-range missile]] that used beam riding guidance for the aircrew to control the missile's track. Only 28 aircraft (12 F3D-1Ms,<ref name="swanp183">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 183.</ref> and 16 F3D-2Ms<ref name="swanp182">Swanborough and Bowers 1976, p. 182.</ref>) were modified to use the missiles.

In the late 1950s, a number of Marine F3D-2s were re-configured as [[electronic warfare]] aircraft and were accordingly redesignated ''F3D-2Q'' (later ''EF-10B''). Several aircraft were also converted for use as trainers and were thus redesignated ''F3D-2T''. Some of these aircraft were outfitted with a single 10" photography camera, mounted in the tail section, for [[aerial reconnaissance]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}}

During 1959, Ed Heinemann proposed that Douglas refurbish retired F3Ds for civil use, reasoning that the former military aircraft could be offered at a much lower price than newly designed [[business jet]]s such as the [[Lockheed JetStar]]. Some work on the initiative was undertaken, but it was canceled after it was determined that the stored aircraft were in a generally poor condition, making their refurbishment more costly than forecast.<ref>{{cite news |last = Peter |first = Garrison |title = BABY BIZJET BOOM: The birth of the light jet |work = [[Flying (magazine)|Flying]] |date = September 1987 |page = 125 }}</ref>

When the U.S. Navy issued a requirement for a fleet defense missile fighter in 1959, Douglas responded with the [[Douglas F6D Missileer|F6D Missileer]], which was essentially an updated and enlarged F3D that would carry the [[AAM-N-10 Eagle]] long-range [[air-to-air missile]], with its most important characteristics being its large fuel capacity, its considerable time-on-station, a crew of two and sophisticated electronics, rather than speed or maneuverability. This concept, which retained the straight wings in an age of supersonic combat aircraft, was soon cancelled as it was felt that the aircraft would not be able to effectively defend itself against more nimble fighters.<ref name="Badrocke p47">Badrocke 1993, p. 47.</ref><ref name="Frnc 79 p717">Francillon 1979, p. 717.</ref> The supersonic [[General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B]] was subsequently developed to carry long-range missiles, was cancelled due to excessive weight and changing tactical requirements. The [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat]] later entered service in this role.

Skyknights continued in service through the 1960s in a gull white color scheme, by which point many of their contemporaries had long since been retired. During 1962, at which point the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force unified their designation systems, the F3D-1 was redesignated ''F-10A'' while the F3D-2 was redesignated ''F-10B''.

===Vietnam War=== [[File:Douglas EF-10B Skyknight of VMCJ-1 in flight over Southeast Asia, circa in 1965.jpg|thumb|EF-10B (BuNo 127041) of VMCJ-1 over Vietnam in 1966. This aircraft was downed by an SA-2 missile from the North Vietnamese 61st Battalion, 236th Missile Regiment over Nghe An province on 18 March 1966 (coordinates 191958N 1050959E). The crew, 1stLt Brent Davis and 1stLt Everett McPherson, were killed.]]

The Skyknight was the only Korean War jet fighter that also flew in Vietnam. EF-10Bs served in the [[Electronic warfare]] role during the Vietnam War until 1969. The large interior provided ample room for electronic equipment. U.S. Marine [[VMCJ-1|Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron One (VMCJ-1)]] ''Golden Hawks'' began operating the EF-10B on 17 April 1965 under Lt. Col Wes Corman at [[Da Nang Air Base]] [[Republic of Vietnam]] with six aircraft.<ref name="Whitten"/> No more than 10 EF-10Bs were in Vietnam at one time. The Electronic Warfare Skyknight was a valuable [[Electronic countermeasure]] asset to jam the [[S-75 Dvina|SA-2]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s tracking and guidance systems.<ref name="Goebel"/> VMCJ-1 made history when its EF-10Bs conducted the first USMC airborne [[radar jamming]] mission on 29 April 1965 to support a [[United States Air Force|USAF]] strike mission. On 27 July 1965, four EF-10Bs also supported a massive strike on missile sites outside [[Hanoi]].

Many U.S. aircraft were lost to SA-2s in Vietnam. The electronic attack on the associated radar systems was known as "Fogbound" missions. The F3D also dropped chaff over the radar sites.<ref name="Goebel"/> The first EF-10B lost in Vietnam was to an SA-2 on 18 March 1966, while four more EF-10Bs were lost in Vietnam to accidents and unknown causes.<ref name="Whitten"/> Their mission was gradually assumed by the more capable EA-6A "Electric Intruder", an Electronic Warfare/Electronic Countermeasures (EW/ECM) variant of the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder]] attack bomber.<ref name="Combatairmuseum.org">[https://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/douglasf3skyknight.html "Douglas F-3D-2T2 (TF-10B) Skyknight."]''Combat Air Museum.'' Retrieved: 3 August 2013.</ref> The EF-10B Skyknight continued to fly lower–threat EW missions until they were withdrawn from South Vietnam in October 1969.<ref name="Whitten">Whitten, H. Wayne, Col USMC Retired.[https://www.mcara.us/VMCJ-1.html "VMCJ-1 History".] ''Marine Corps Aviation Reconnaissance Association'', June 2008. Retrieved: 8 August 2013.</ref> The U.S. Navy's EKA-3 Skywarrior and the USAF's [[Douglas B-66 Destroyer|Douglas RB-66 Destroyer]] also assumed electronic missions.

During May 1970, the U.S. Marine Corps retired the last of its EF-10Bs.

===Post Vietnam=== The U.S. Navy continued to use the F-10s for [[avionics]] systems testing. The F-10 was used as a [[radar]] [[testbed]] to develop the APQ-72 radar. The nose of an [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom]] was added to the front of an F-10B. Another F-10 had a modified [[radome]] installed by the radar manufacturer [[Westinghouse Electronic Systems|Westinghouse]]. Yet another TF-10B was modified with the nose from an [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawk]].<ref name="Joseph F. Baugher">[http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f10_2.html "Douglas F3D-2/F-10B Skyknight"]''Joseph F. Baugher.'' Retrieved: 19 April 2015.</ref> In 1968, three Skyknights were transferred to the U.S. Army. These aircraft were operated by the [[Raytheon]] Corporation at [[Holloman AFB]] where they were used testing at the [[White Sands Missile Range]] into the 1980s; they were the last flyable Skyknights.<ref>Yakubov, Vladimir. [http://svsm.org/gallery/f3d-skyknight/P13704101 "Douglas F3D-2N Skyknight, USS Intrepid Museum."] ''SVSM Gallery.'' Retrieved: 18 August 2013.</ref>

==Variants== [[File:EF-10B VMCJ-1 DaNang.jpg|thumb|EF-10B ''Skyknight'' of VMCJ-1 at Da Nang, South Vietnam, in the second half of the 1960s]] [[File:Douglas F3D-3 Skyknight silhouette.png|thumb|Proposed F3D-3]]

;XF3D-1 :Prototype aircraft, two [[Westinghouse J34-WE-24]] turbojet engines of {{cvt|3,000|lbf|kN}}, APQ-35 search and target acquisition radar, four 20mm cannon, three built.<ref name="Gunstonp172"/> ;F3D-1 :Two-seat all-weather day or night-fighter aircraft, powered by two {{cvt|3,000|lbf|kN}} [[Westinghouse J34-WE-32]] turbojet engines, tail warning radar, ECM, and other electronics that added over {{cvt|5000|lb}} of weight, 28 built. First flight: 13 February 1950.<ref name="Gunstonp172"/> ;F3D-1M :12 F3D-1s were converted into missile-armed test aircraft, used in the development of the [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] air-to-air missile. ;F3D-2 :Second Production version, initially powered by two {{cvt|3400|lbf|kN}} Westinghouse J34-WE-36 and later by two {{cvt|3600|lbf|kN}} [[Westinghouse J34-WE-38]] turbojet engines, {{cvt|490|kn|mph km/h}} at {{cvt|20000|ft}}, equipped with wing spoilers, autopilot and an improved [[Westinghouse AN/APQ-36]] radar, 237 built. First flight: 14 February 1951.<ref name="Goebel" /><ref name="Gunstonp172"/> ;F3D-2B :One F3D-1 was used for special armament test in 1952. ;F3D-2M :16 F3D-2s were converted into missile armed aircraft. The F3D-2Ms were armed with [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] air-to-air missiles. ;F3D-2Q :35 F3D-2s were converted into electronic warfare aircraft. ;F3D-2T :Five F3D-2s were converted into night fighter training aircraft. ;F3D-2T2 :55 F3D-2s were used as radar-operator trainers and electronic warfare aircraft. ;F3D-3 :Unbuilt project, intended to be an advanced version incorporating swept wings.

;F-10A :1962 re-designation of the F3D-1. ;F-10B :1962 re-designation of the F3D-2. ;EF-10B :1962 re-designation of the F3D-2Q. ;MF-10A :1962 re-designation of the F3D-1M. ;MF-10B :1962 re-designation of the F3D-2M. ;TF-10B :1962 re-designation of the F3D-2T2.

==Operators== {{USA}} *[[United States Army]] *[[United States Marine Corps]] *[[United States Navy]]

==Aircraft on display== ;F3D-2 * BuNo 124598 – [[National Museum of Naval Aviation]] at [[NAS Pensacola]], [[Florida]].<ref>[http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f3d_skyknight "F3D Skyknight/124598."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318083625/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f3d_skyknight |date=18 March 2015 }} ''National Museum of Naval Aviation.'' Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref> * BuNo 124629 – [[Pima Air & Space Museum]] adjacent to [[Davis-Monthan AFB]] in [[Tucson]], [[Arizona]].<ref>[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/douglas-tf-10b-skyknight "F3D Skyknight/124629."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224044309/http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/douglas-tf-10b-skyknight |date=24 February 2015 }} ''Pima Air & Space Museum.''Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref> * BuNo 124630 – [[Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum]] at [[MCAS Miramar]], [[California]].<ref>[http://flyingleathernecks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Aircraft_Listing.pdf "F3D Skyknight/124630."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011185627/http://flyingleathernecks.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Aircraft_Listing.pdf |date=11 October 2017 }} ''Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref> * BuNo 125807 – [[Combat Air Museum]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]].<ref>[https://combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/douglasf3skyknight.html "F3D Skyknight/125807."] ''Combat Air Museum.''Retrieved: 21 July 2011.</ref> * BuNo 125870, (repainted as BuNo 127039) – Korean War and Vietnam War memorial in Del Valle Park in [[Lakewood, California]]. Originally displayed in 1950s-era dark blue coloring, the aircraft was repainted in 1963 to the grey and white color scheme of Marine Corps aircraft at the time.<ref>[http://aerialvisuals.ca/LocationDossier.php?Serial=7951 "F3D Skyknight/125870."] ''aerialvisuals.ca'' Retrieved: 8 April 2015.</ref> With this repainting, the aircraft had the tail code "7L," which was the 1960s-era tail code for Marine Corps Air Reserve and Naval Air Reserve aircraft at nearby [[Naval Air Station Los Alamitos]], California. In 2015, the aircraft was refurbished and painted in grey and white to depict a late 1950s-era Skyknight of VMFT(N)-20 with tail code "BP." {{Citation needed|date=May 2015}} ;F3D-2Q * BuNo 124618 – [[National Museum of the Marine Corps]], in [[Quantico, Virginia]].<ref>[http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=74522 "F3D Skyknight/124618."] ''aerialvisuals.ca'' Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref> * BuNo 124620 – [[Quonset Air Museum]] at [[Quonset State Airport]] (former [[NAS Quonset Point]]) in [[Quonset Point]], [[Rhode Island]].<ref>[http://www.quonsetairmuseum.com/index.php?page=exhibitions "F3D Skyknight/124620."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026024437/http://www.quonsetairmuseum.com/index.php?page=exhibitions |date=26 October 2016 }} ''Quonset Air Museum''. Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref> * BuNo 125850 – [[Air Force Test Center|Air Force Flight Test Center Museum]] at [[Edwards AFB]], [[California]]. This aircraft served until 1970 as part of VMCJ-3 (U.S. Marine Composite Reconnaissance Squadron 3) based at [[Marine Corps Air Station El Toro]], California, carrying tail code "TN."<ref>[http://afftcmuseum.org/exhibits/museum-aircraft-exhibits/ "F3D Skyknight/125850."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102195232/http://afftcmuseum.org/exhibits/museum-aircraft-exhibits/ |date=2 January 2017 }} ''Air Force Flight Test Center Museum'' Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref> ;F3D-2T * BuNo 127074 – [[Empire State Aerosciences Museum]] (ESAM) near [[Schenectady]], New York.<ref>[http://www.schenectadyspotlight.com/news/2012/may/04/final-mission-fighter-jets-photo-gallery-video/ "Final mission for fighter jets."] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204043943/http://www.schenectadyspotlight.com/news/2012/may/04/final-mission-fighter-jets-photo-gallery-video/ |date=4 February 2014 }} ''Schenectady Spotlight'', 5 May 2012.</ref><ref>McGeehan, Patrick.[https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/19/nyregion/anticipating-space-shuttles-arrival-old-warplanes-ship-out.html?_r=1 "Anticipating Space Shuttle’s Arrival, Old Warplanes Ship Out."] ''The New York Times,'' 18 April 2012.</ref> This F3D was operated by [[Raytheon]] in [[Massachusetts]] for electronics tests until it was donated to the [[Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum]] in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. It was displayed at the museum from 1987 until April 2012, when it was one of three aircraft moved to the ESAM to make room for the [[Space Shuttle Enterprise]]. It is painted in the livery of U.S. Marine Night Fighter Squadron 513 (VMF(N)-513) as flown during the Korean War.<ref>[http://www.esam.org/images/F3-D%20Photo1.JPG "F3D Skyknight/127074."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219013102/http://www.esam.org/images/F3-D%20Photo1.JPG |date=19 December 2015 }} ''Empire State Aerosciences Museum''. Retrieved: 16 January 2015.</ref>

==Specifications (F3D-2)== [[File:Douglas F3D Skyknight 3-view Greg Goebel.png|thumb|F3D-2 Skyknight drawings]] {{Aircraft specs |ref= ''McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I'',<ref name="Francillon">Francillon 1988, pp. 417–424.</ref> ''Standard Aircraft Characteristics : F3D-2 Skyknight''<ref name="buraer">{{cite book |title = F3D Skynight |date = January 1949 |publisher = Bureau of Aeronautics: Navy Department |location = Annapolis, US |at = Standard Aircraft Characteristics : F3D-2 Skyknight |url = https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation-history/naval-aircraft/aircraft-in-the-korean-conflict/f3d-skynight.html |access-date = 12 May 2019}}</ref> |prime units?= kts  |crew= 2 |length ft= 45 |length in= 5 |length note= |span ft= 50 |span in= 0 |span note= {{cvt|26|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} folded |width ft= |width in= |width note= |height ft= 16 |height in= 1 |height note= wings spread, {{cvt|16|ft|6|in}} wings folded |wing area sqft= 400 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= 6.23 *'''Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC):''' {{cvt|99.8|in}} |airfoil=[[NACA airfoil|NACA 1412]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1 = Lednicer |first1 = David |title = The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url = https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website = m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date = 16 April 2019}}</ref> |empty weight lb= 14,989 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb= 23,575 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb= 26,731 |max takeoff weight note=<br/> * '''Maximum landing weight:''' {{cvt|24500|lb}} |fuel capacity= {{cvt|1350|USgal|impgal l}} maximum internal fuel and 2x {{cvt|150|USgal|impgal l|abbr=on}} optional drop-tanks |more general=  |eng1 number= 2 |eng1 name= [[Westinghouse J34-WE-36]] |eng1 type= [[turbojet]] engines |eng1 lbf= 3,400  |max speed kts= 460 |max speed note= at {{cvt|10000|ft}} |max speed mach= |cruise speed kts= 395 |cruise speed note= |stall speed kts= 80.6 |stall speed note= with approach power |never exceed speed kts= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kts= |minimum control speed note= |range nmi= |range note= |combat range nmi= 995 |combat range note= on internals |ferry range nmi= 1,195 |ferry range note= with 2 × 150 USgal drop-tanks |endurance= |ceiling ft= 36,700 |ceiling note= |g limits= +5.5 at {{cvt|19700|lb}} ** +5.1 at {{cvt|21374|lb}} ** +4 at {{cvt|26731|lb}} |roll rate= |climb rate ftmin= 3,570 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading lb/sqft= 58.9 |wing loading note= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |thrust/weight= 0.288

|more performance=  |guns= 4 × {{cvt|20|mm|3}} [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|Hispano-Suiza M2]] [[autocannon|cannon]], 200 rpg |rockets= 2 × {{cvt|11.75|in}} [[Tiny Tim (rocket)|Tiny Tim]] unguided rockets |missiles= 4× [[AIM-7 Sparrow|Sparrow I]] [[air-to-air missile]]s (F3D-2M) |bombs= 2 × {{cvt|2000|lb}} bombs |hardpoints= |hardpoint capacity= |hardpoint rockets= |hardpoint missiles= |hardpoint bombs= |hardpoint other= |avionics= * [[AN/APQ-35]]A or -35B radar * [[Westinghouse AN/APQ-36]] radar }}

==See also== {{aircontent |see also= |related= * [[Douglas F6D Missileer]] |similar aircraft= * [[Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck]] * [[Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk]] * [[de Havilland Sea Venom]] * [[de Havilland Sea Vixen]] * [[Gloster Javelin]] * [[Lockheed F-94 Starfire]] * [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]] * [[Yakovlev Yak-25]] |lists= * [[List of fighter aircraft]] * [[List of military aircraft of the United States]] * [[List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)]] }}

==References==

===Notes=== {{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations=== {{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography=== {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |last = Andrade |first = John M. |title = U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 |location = Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK |publisher = Midland Counties Publications |date = 1979 |isbn = 0-904597-22-9}} * {{cite journal |last = Badrocke |first = Mike |title = Electronic Warrior |journal = [[Air Enthusiast]] |number = 51 |date = October 1993 |pages = 41–48 |location = Stamford, UK |publisher = Key Publishing |issn = 0143-5450}} * {{cite book |last = Copalman |first = Joe |title = F3D/EF-10 Skyknight Units of the Korean and Vietnam Wars |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=X2MhEAAAQBAJ |publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing |date = 2022 |isbn = 978-1-4728-4626-6}} * {{cite book |editor-last = Donald |editor-first = David |title = The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft |location = London, UK |publisher = Aerospace Publishing |date = 1997 |isbn = 1-85605-375-X}} * {{cite book |last1 = Dorr |first1 = Robert F |first2 = Warren |last2 = Thompson |title = Korean Air War |location = St. Paul, Minnesota, US |publisher = Motorbooks International |date = 1994 |isbn = 0-879-38862-5}} * {{cite book |last = Francillon |first = René J. |title = McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920 |location = London, UK |publisher = Putnam |date = 1979 |isbn = 0-370-00050-1}} * {{cite book |last1 = Francillon |first1 = René J. |title = McDonnell Douglas aircraft since 1920 : Volume I |date = 1988 |publisher = Naval Institute Press |location = London, UK |isbn = 0-87021-428-4}} * {{cite book |editor-last = Gunston |editor-first = Bill |title = The Illustrated History of Fighters |location = New York, US |publisher = Exeter Books Division of Simon & Schuster |date = 1981 |isbn = 0-89673-103-0}} * {{cite book |last1 = Grossnick |first1 = Roy A. |first2 = William J. |last2 = Armstrong |title = United States Naval Aviation, 1910–1995 |location = Annapolis, Maryland, US |publisher = Naval Historical Center |date = 1997 |isbn = 0-16-049124-X}} * {{cite book |last = Hardy |first = Michael John |title = Sea, Sky and Stars: An Illustrated History of Grumman Aircraft |location = London, UK |publisher = Arms & Armour Press |date = 1987 |isbn = 978-0853688327}} * {{cite book |last1 = Heinemann |first1 = Edward H. |first2 = Rosario |last2 = Rausa |title = Ed Heinemann: Combat Aircraft Designer |location = Annapolis, Maryland, US |publisher = Naval Institute Press |date = 1980 |isbn = 0-87021-797-6}} * {{cite book |title = ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft'' (Part Work 1982–1985) |location = London, UK |publisher = Orbis Publishing |date = 1985}} * {{cite book |last = Jones |first = Lloyd |title = U.S. Fighters: Army-Air Force 1925 to 1980s |location = Fallbrook, California, US |publisher = Aero Publishers |date = 1975 |isbn = 0-8168-9200-8}} * {{cite book |last = Jones |first = Lloyd |title = U.S. Naval Fighters: 1922 to 1980s |location = Fallbrook, California, US |publisher = Aero Publishers |date = 1977 |isbn = 0-8168-9254-7}} * {{cite book |last1 = O'Rourke |first1 = G.G. |first2 = E.T. |last2 = Woodbridge |title = Night Fighters Over Korea |location = Annapolis, Maryland, US |publisher = Naval Institute Press |date = 1998 |isbn = 1-55750-653-1}} * {{cite book |last = Sullivan |first = Jim |title = F9F Panther/Cougar in action |location = Carrollton, [[Texas]], US |publisher = Squadron/Signal Publications |date = 1982 |isbn = 0-89747-127-X}} * {{cite book |last1 = Swanborough |first1 = Gordon |first2 = Peter M. |last2 = Bowers |title = United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 |location = London, UK |publisher = Putnam |edition = Second |date = 1976 |isbn = 0370-10054-9}} * {{cite book |last1 = Thomason |first1 = Tommy H. |title = U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters, 1943-1962 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XkYcBQAAQBAJ |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2008 |isbn = 978-1-58007-110-9}} {{Refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Douglas F3D Skyknight}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511222616/http://www.boeing.com/history/mdc/skyknight.htm Boeing "McDonnell Douglas History, Skyknight, F3D (F-10)"] * [https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-10.htm GlobalSecurity "F3D (F-10) Skyknight"] * [https://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/douglasf3skyknight.html "US Navy BuNo 125807 on display" at Combat Air Museum]

[[Category:Douglas aircraft|F3D Skyknight]] [[Category:1940s United States fighter aircraft|Douglas FD3 Skyknight]] [[Category:Twinjets]] [[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]] [[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948]] [[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]