McDonnell FH Phantom

{{Short description|Early US twinjet fighter aircraft}} {{Use American English|date=October 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name = FH Phantom |image = File:McDonnell XFD-1 Phantom landing aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) on 21 July 1946 (NNAM.1996.253.7239.003).jpg |image_caption = An XFD-1 Phantom landing aboard USS ''Franklin D. Roosevelt'' in 1946 |aircraft_type = Carrier-based fighter aircraft |manufacturer = McDonnell Aircraft |designer = |first_flight= 26 January 1945<ref name = "polgen 23">Polmar and Genda 2006, p. 23.</ref> |introduction= August 1947 |retired= 1949 (USN, USMC)<br/>July 1954 (USNR)<ref name="Mills">Mills 1991, pp. 226-227.</ref> |status = |primary_user = United States Navy |more_users = United States Marine Corps |produced = |number_built = 62<ref name = "nattrust 2025"/> |variants = |developed_into = McDonnell F2H Banshee }}

The '''McDonnell FH Phantom''' is a twinjet, straight-wing, carrier-based fighter aircraft designed and produced by the American aviation firm McDonnell Aircraft. A first-generation jet fighter, the Phantom was the first purely jet-powered aircraft to land on an American aircraft carrier in 1946,<ref name="Angel p298"/>{{#tag:ref|The first aircraft to land on an American carrier under jet power was the unconventional composite propeller-jet Ryan FR Fireball, designed to utilize its piston engine during takeoff and landing. On 6 November 1945, the piston engine of an FR-1 failed on final approach; the pilot started the jet engine and landed, thereby performing the first jet-powered carrier landing, albeit unintentionally.<ref>"First Jet Landing". ''Naval Aviation News'', United States Navy, March 1946, p. 6.</ref>|group=N}} as well as being the first jet aircraft to be deployed by the United States Marine Corps.<ref name = "vintage2026">{{cite web |url = https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/today-in-aviation-history-first-flight-of-the-mcdonnell-fh-phantom-2.html |title = Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the McDonnell FH Phantom |website = vintageaviationnews.com |first = Austin |last = Hancock |date = 26 January 2026}}</ref>

Developed during the latter half of World War II for the United States Navy (USN) to harness the newly-developed turbojet engine, an order for three prototype aircraft was placed in August 1943. Despite its then-unconventional propulsion, much of the airframe conformed to design conventions of the era; designed purely for aerial combat, it was unable to be used as a fighter-bomber. Development was protracted due to engine-related difficulties, chiefly the availability of the Westinghouse J30-WE-20 powerplant to fit into the prototype, delaying progress by roughly one year. The ''XFD-1'' prototype performed its maiden flight on 26 January 1945; during subsequent flights, it became the first USN aircraft to exceed 500 mph (434 kn, 805 km/h). Originally designated the ''FD Phantom'', this was changed as the aircraft entered production to ''FH Phantom''. During August 1947, the first squadron equipped with the type became active. Although only 62 aircraft were ever produced, the Phantom helped prove the viability of carrier-based jet fighters and provide the USN with its first operational aircraft using such propulsion.

The availability of more powerful engines led to McDonnell proceeding with the development of the follow-on F2H Banshee which, while derived from the Phantom, shared little in terms of components due to various elements being redesigned. The arrival of the Banshee in the late 1940s led to the Phantom being promptly relegated to secondary duties, such as training pilots in preparation for operating newer jet aircraft, all examples being transferred to the United States Naval Reserve by late 1949. As such, while the Banshee became one of the two most important naval jet fighters of the Korean War, the Phantom never saw live combat. Nevertheless, both the Phantom and Banshee established McDonnell as an important supplier of naval aircraft. During the late 1950s, McDonnell chose to bring the name back with the third-generation, Mach 2-capable McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, the most versatile and widely used Western combat aircraft of the Vietnam War era.<ref>{{Cite book |last = Davis |first = Peter |url=http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/221514/usaf-mcdonnell-douglas-f-4-phantom-ii-by-peter-davies/ |title=USAF McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II |publisher = Penguin Random House Books |date = 2013 |access-date=3 September 2015 |archive-date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903224941/http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/221514/usaf-mcdonnell-douglas-f-4-phantom-ii-by-peter-davies/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Design and development== ===Early work=== In early 1943, officials within the United States Navy (USN) were impressed by McDonnell's audacious XP-67 Bat prototype. Thereafter, McDonnell was invited by the USN to cooperate in the development of a shipboard interceptor; the standout feature of this envisioned aircraft was that it would be powered by a turbojet engine, which were already under development by Westinghouse Electric Corporation.<ref name = "navnews 16"/><ref name = "nattrust 2025">{{cite web |url = https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/the-mcdonnell-fh-phantom-was-americas-first-naval-jet |title = The McDonnell FH Phantom Was America’s First Naval Jet |website = nationalinterest.org |date = 21 March 2025 |first = Harrison |last = Kass }}</ref> Three prototypes were ordered on 30 August 1943 and the designation XFD-1{{#tag:ref|The U.S. Navy had earlier used the XFD-1 designation for the prototype Douglas XFD biplane fighter, which did not enter production due to changing Navy requirements.|group=N}} was assigned.<ref name = "vintage2026"/> Under the 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system, the letter "D" before the dash designated the aircraft's manufacturer. The Douglas Aircraft Company had previously been assigned this letter, but the USN elected to reassign it to McDonnell because Douglas had not provided any fighters for navy service in years.<ref name="Mesko7">Mesko 2002, p. 7.</ref>

McDonnell's design team evaluated a number of engine combinations, varying from eight {{convert|9.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} diameter engines down to two engines of {{convert|19|in|cm}} diameter. The final design used the two {{convert|19|in|cm|abbr=on}} engines after it was found to be the lightest and simplest configuration.<ref name="AI Nov87 p233">''Air International'' November 1987, p. 233.</ref> While early considerations had been made towards the incorporation of an auxiliary 'boost' engine, however, the design team were sufficiently satisfied with the power output of the base engines.<ref name = "navnews 16"/> The engines were buried in the wing root to keep both the intake and exhaust ducts short, an arrangement that offered greater aerodynamic efficiency in contrast to underwing nacelles.<ref name="AI Nov87 p234">''Air International'' November 1987, p. 234.</ref> Furthermore, the engines were angled slightly outwards to protect the fuselage from the hot exhaust blast.<ref name="Mesko7"/><ref name = "nattrust 2025"/> Placement of the engines in the middle of the airframe, behind the center of gravity, required the cockpit with its bubble-style canopy to be placed ahead of the wing, which also granted the pilot excellent visibility in all directions. The long nose allowed designers to use tricycle gear, thereby elevating the engine exhaust path and reducing the risk that the hot blast would damage the aircraft carrier deck.<ref name="Mesko p5">Mesko 2002, p. 5.</ref><ref name = "navnews 16"/>

The construction methods and aerodynamic design of the Phantom were fairly conventional for the time, which was an intentional choice of the design team.<ref name = "navnews 16"/> Accordingly, the aircraft had unswept wings, a conventional empennage, and an aluminum monocoque structure with flush riveted aluminum skin. Folding wings were used to reduce the width of the aircraft in storage configuration.<ref name = "nattrust 2025"/><ref name = "vintage2026"/> Provisions for four .50-caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns were made in the nose, while racks for eight {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}} High Velocity Aircraft Rockets could be fitted under the wings, although these were seldom used in service.<ref name="Mesko7"/><ref name = "navnews 16"/> Adapting a jet to carrier use was a much greater challenge than producing a land-based fighter because of slower landing and takeoff speeds required on a small carrier deck. The Phantom used split flaps on both the folding and fixed wing sections to enhance low-speed landing performance,<ref name="AI Nov87 p234-5">''Air International'' November 1987, pp. 234–235.</ref> but no other high-lift devices were used. Provisions were also made for Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO) bottles to improve takeoff performance.<ref name="Mesko7"/><ref name = "vintage2026"/>

In May 1944, a mock-up of the aircraft was presented to officials, after which several design revisions were made; details related to the engine installation were the last to be firmed due to the development cycle of said engine having not yet been completed. While the maiden flight of the ''XFD-1'' prototype had been scheduled to take place during early 1944, the persistence unavailability of the engine would delay its completion into ''XFD-1''.<ref name = "navnews 167">Naval Aviation News 1987, pp. 16-17.</ref>

===Into flight=== [[File:McDonnell FH-1 Phantom of VF-17A on USS Saipan (CVL-48) in May 1948.jpg|thumb|left|A U.S. Navy FH-1 of VF-17A ''Phantom Fighters'' taxies to the catapult during carrier qualifications on the light aircraft carrier {{USS|Saipan|CVL-48|2}}, in May 1948]]

When the first XFD-1, serial number ''48235'', was completed in January 1945, only a single Westinghouse 19XB-2B engine was available for installation. Accordingly, ground runs and taxi tests were conducted using this single engine, and such was the confidence in the aircraft that the first flight on 26 January 1945 was made with only the one 19XB-2B engine in place.<ref name="Franc mdd p382">Francillon 1979, p. 382.</ref>{{#tag:ref|McDonnell assistant Chief Engineer Kendall Perkins has stated that this "first flight" was no more than a "hop", and that the real first flight would wait until a second engine was fitted a few days later.<ref name="AI Nov 87 p258"/>|group=N}} Early flight testing of the aircraft revealed a bearing issue with the engine, requiring a one month suspension while this was rectified.<ref name = "navnews 17">Naval Aviation News 1987, p. 17.</ref> It was during this test flight programme that the Phantom became the first USN aircraft to exceed 500 mph (434 kn, 805 km/h).<ref name="Mills"/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://secure.boeingimages.com/archive/McDonnell-FH-1-Phantom--First-Jet-Propelled-Carrier-Takeoff-2JRSXLJX4X4X.html |title = McDonnell FH-1 Phantom: First Jet-propelled Carrier Takeoff |publisher = Boeing |access-date = 16 May 2026}}</ref>

Following further flight testing, a production contract was awarded on 7 March 1945 for 100 FD-1 aircraft. Months later, in response to the end of the conflict, the Phantom production contract was reduced to 30 aircraft, then promptly increased back to 60.<ref name="AI Nov 87 p258">''Air International'' November 1987, p. 258.</ref><ref name = "navnews 17"/>

The first prototype was lost in a fatal crash attributed to aileron failure) on 1 November 1945.<ref name="Angel p297-8">Angelucci and Bowers 1987, pp. 297–298.</ref><ref name = "navnews 17"/> The second and final Phantom prototype (serial number ''48236'') was completed early the next year; it incorporated improvements aimed at improving the aircraft's lateral control characteristics amonst other changes made to be more representative of production-standard aircraft.<ref name = "navnews 17"/> The second prototype became the first purely jet-powered aircraft to operate from an American aircraft carrier, completing four successful takeoffs and landings on 21 July 1946, from {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|2}} near Norfolk, Virginia.<ref name="Mills"/><ref name="Grossnick p1634">Grossnick 1997, pp. 163-164.</ref> At the time, she was the largest carrier serving with the USN, which permitted the aircraft to take off without assistance from a catapult.<ref name="AI Nov 87 p258"/> The second prototype crashed on 26 August 1946.<ref name="ASN236">{{ASN accident|id=82095}}{{dead link|date=May 2011}}</ref>

Production Phantoms incorporated a number of design improvements. These included provisions for a flush-fitting centerline drop tank, an improved gunsight, and the addition of speed brakes.<ref name = "polgen 234">Polmar and Genda 2006, pp. 23-24.</ref> Production models used Westinghouse J30-WE-20 engines with {{convert|1,600|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} of thrust per engine. The top of the vertical tail had a more square shape than the rounder tail used on the prototypes, and a smaller rudder was used to resolve problems with control surface clearance discovered during test flights. The horizontal tail surfaces were shortened slightly, while the fuselage was stretched by {{convert|19|in|cm|abbr=on}}. The amount of framing in the windshield was reduced to enhance pilot visibility.<ref name="Mesko7"/><ref name="AI Nov 87 p258"/> While the prototype Phantoms had a curved tip present on their vertical tailplane, production examples had squared-off tips instead.<ref name = "navnews 17"/>

Halfway through the production run, the navy reassigned the designation letter "D" back to Douglas, with the Phantom being redesignated FH-1.<ref name="AI Nov 87 p258"/><ref name = "navnews 17"/> Including the two prototypes, a total of 62 Phantoms were finally produced, with the last FH-1 rolling off the assembly line in May 1948.<ref>Wagner 1982, p. 503.</ref>

Realizing that the production of more powerful jet engines was imminent, McDonnell engineers proposed a more powerful variant of the Phantom while the original aircraft was still under development – a proposal that would lead to the design of the Phantom's replacement, the F2H Banshee.<ref name = "nattrust 2025"/><ref name = "polgen 28">Polmar and Genda 2006, p. 28.</ref> Although the new aircraft was originally envisioned as a modified Phantom, the need for heavier armament, greater internal fuel capacity, and other improvements eventually led to a substantially heavier and bulkier aircraft that shared few parts with its agile predecessor.<ref name="Mesko10">Mesko 2002, p. 10.</ref> Despite this, the two aircraft were similar enough that McDonnell was able to complete its first ''F2H-1'' in August 1948, a mere three months after the last ''FH-1'' had rolled off the assembly line.<ref>Wagner 1982, p. 504.</ref><ref name = "navnews 17"/>

==Operational history== thumb|right|Three FH-1 Phantoms of VMF-122 in 1949 thumb|right|Three aircraft of the Minneapolis U.S. Naval Air Reserve (front to back): an FH-1 Phantom, an F4U-1 Corsair, and an SNJ Texan in 1951.

The first Phantoms were delivered to USN fighter squadron VF-17A (later redesignated VF-171) in August 1947;<ref name="AI Nov 87 p259">''Air International'' November 1987, p. 259.</ref><ref name = "navnews 17"/> the squadron received a full complement of 24 aircraft on 29 May 1948.<ref>Cleaver 2019, {{page needed|date=May 2019}}</ref> Beginning in November 1947, Phantoms were delivered to United States Marine Corps squadron VMF-122, making it the first USMC combat squadron to deploy jets.<ref name="AI Nov 87 p259"/> VF-17A became the USN's first fully operational jet carrier squadron when it deployed aboard {{USS|Saipan|CVL-48|6}} on 5 May 1948.<ref name="Grossnick p171">Grossnick 1997, p. 171.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Squadron VF-5A, flying the North American FJ-1 Fury, had conducted the navy's first all-jet aircraft carrier operations at sea on 10 March 1948 aboard {{USS|Boxer|CV-21|2}}, but the entire squadron was not considered operational at the time.|group=N}}

The Phantom was one of the first jets used by the U.S. military for exhibition flying. Three Phantoms used by the Naval Air Test Center were used by a unique demonstration team called the Gray Angels, whose members consisted entirely of naval aviators holding the rank of rear admiral (Daniel V. Gallery, Apollo Soucek and Edgar A. Cruise.)<ref name="AI Nov 87 p259"/><ref name="goebel">Goebel, Greg. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110514001132/http://www.vectorsite.net/avbansh.html#m1 "The FH-1 Phantom."]}} ''The McDonnell FH-1 Phantom & F2H Banshee'', 1 November 2010. Retrieved: 10 May 2011.</ref> The team's name was an obvious play on the name of the recently formed U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who were still flying propeller-powered Grumman F8F Bearcats at the time. The "Grays" flew in various air shows during the summer of 1947, but the team was abruptly disbanded after their poorly timed arrival at a September air show in Cleveland, Ohio, nearly caused a head-on low-altitude collision with a large formation of other aircraft; their Phantoms were turned over to test squadron VX-3.<ref name="Mills"/> The VMF-122 Phantoms were later used for air show demonstrations until they were taken out of service in 1949, with the team being known alternately as the Marine Phantoms or the Flying Leathernecks.<ref name="Mills"/><ref name="AI Nov 87 p259"/>

The Phantom's service as a frontline fighter would be short-lived. Its limited range and light armament – notably, its inability to carry bombs – made it best suited for duty as a point-defence interceptor aircraft. However, its speed and rate of climb were only slightly better than existing propeller-powered fighters and fell short of other contemporary jets, such as the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, prompting concerns that the Phantom would be outmatched by future enemy jets it might soon face.<ref name = "nattrust 2025"/> Moreover, recent experience in World War II had demonstrated the value of naval fighters that could double as fighter-bombers, a capability the Phantom lacked. Finally, the aircraft exhibited some design deficiencies – its navigational avionics were poor, it could not accommodate newly developed ejection seats,<ref name="Mills"/> and the location of the machine guns in the upper nose caused pilots to be dazzled by muzzle flash.<ref name="Mesko10"/><ref name = "nattrust 2025"/>

The F2H Banshee and Grumman F9F Panther, both of which began flight tests around the time of the Phantom's entry into service, better satisfied the navy's desire for a versatile, long-range, high-performance jet.<ref name = "navnews 16">Naval Aviation News 1987, p. 16.</ref><ref name = "vintage2026"/> Consequently, the FH-1 saw little weapons training, and was primarily used for carrier qualifications to transition pilots from propeller-powered fighters to jets in preparation for flying the Panther or Banshee. In June 1949, VF-171 (VF-17A) re-equipped with the Banshee, and their Phantoms were turned over to VF-172; this squadron, along with the NATC, VX-3, and VMF-122, turned over their Phantoms to the United States Naval Reserve by late 1949 after receiving F2H-1 Banshees.<ref name = "navnews 17"/><ref name = "polgen 23"/> The FH-1 would see training duty with the USNR until being replaced by the F9F Panther in July 1954; no examples ever saw combat,<ref name="Mills"/> the type having been withdrawn from frontline service prior to the outbreak of the Korean War.

===Civilian use=== In 1964, Progressive Aero, Incorporated of Fort Lauderdale, Florida purchased three surplus Phantoms, intending to use them to teach civilians how to fly jets. A pair were stripped of military equipment and restored to flying condition, but the venture was unsuccessful, and the aircraft were soon retired once again.<ref name="Mesko8">Mesko 2002, p. 8.</ref>

==Variants== ;XFD-1 :Company designation ''Model 11A'', prototype aircraft powered by {{convert|1165|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} Westinghouse 19XB-2B engines (J-30). Two built.<ref name="Angel p298">Angelucci and Bowers 1987, p. 268.</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=http://aviationarchives.net/McDonnell%20Project%20Numbers%20Lists.pdf |title=McDonnell Model Numbers |date=1 July 1974 |publisher=McDonnell Douglas |pages=4 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=8 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223421/http://aviationarchives.net/McDonnell%20Project%20Numbers%20Lists.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> ;FH-1 (FD-1) :Company designation ''Model 23'', production version with {{convert|1600|lbf|kN|abbr=on}} Westinghouse J30-WE-20 engines (originally designated FD-1). 60 built.<ref name="Angel p298"/><ref name=":0" /> ;FD-1N :Proposed night fighter variant.<ref name=":0" /><ref name = "navnews 17"/>

==Operators== ;{{USA}} * United States Navy ** VX-3 ** VF-171 (VF-17A) ** VF-172 ** Naval Air Reserve * United States Marine Corps ** VMF-122 ** VMF-311

==Aircraft on display== thumb|FH-1 Phantom on display in Washington, D.C. ;FH-1 * BuNo 111759 - National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., United States.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19600130000 |title = FH-1 Phantom/111759 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102120315/http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19600130000 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |website = airandspace.si.edu |access-date = 29 October 2012}}</ref> This aircraft served with Marine Fighter Squadron 122 (VMF-122). It was retired in April 1954, with a total of 418 flight hours. The aircraft was transferred to the Smithsonian by the U.S. Navy in 1959.<ref name= "Hamilton">Hamilton 2010, {{page needed|date=May 2026}}.</ref> * BuNo 111768 - Pima Air & Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona, on loan from the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia. It has had a busy post-retirement life. Formerly a Progressive Aero aircraft c/n 456 (civil registration N4283A) it was placed on display at the Marine Corps Museum. The aircraft was later transferred to the St. Louis Aviation Museum, and then the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York. In 2006 the aircraft was moved to the <ref name= "Hamilton"/> Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Horseheads, New York.,<ref>[https://archive.today/20130209075838/http://www.wingsofeagles.com/?page_id=550 "FH-1 Phantom/111768."] ''Wings of Eagles Discovery Center.'' Retrieved: 29 October 2012.</ref> and moved to Tucson in 2016. * BuNo 111793 - National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=fh-1_phantom |title = FH-1 Phantom/111793 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318084336/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=fh-1_phantom |archive-date=18 March 2015 |publisher = National Museum of Naval Aviation |access-date = 15 January 2015 }}</ref> This aircraft was accepted by the navy on 28 February 1948. After flying for a brief time with Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 122, the first Marine jet squadron, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, it was stricken from the naval inventory in 1949. The museum acquired the aircraft from National Jets, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1983.<ref name= "Hamilton"/>

==Specifications (FH-1 Phantom)== frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the McDonnell FD-1 Phantom

{{Aircraft specs |ref= ''Naval Fighters #3 : McDonnell FH-1 Phantom,''<ref name="Ginter">Ginter 1981 {{page needed|date=May 2026}}.</ref> ''and McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920'' <ref name="Franc mdd p383">Francillon 1979, p. 383.</ref> |prime units?= imp  |crew= 1 |length ft= 37 |length in= 3 |length note= |span ft= 40 |span in= 9 |span note= |width ft= 16 |width in= 3 |width note= wings folded<ref name="AI Nov87 p234"/> |height ft= 14 |height in= 2 |height note=<br/> *'''Height folded:''' {{cvt|16|ft|10|in|0}} |wing area sqft= 273.74 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil='''root:''' NACA 66-218 a=.6; '''tip:''' NACA 66-215-414 a=.6<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= 6,683 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb= 10,035 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb= 12,035 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= {{cvt|375|USgal|impgal l}} gasoline internal, with optional {{cvt|295|USgal|impgal l}} external belly tank. |more general=  |eng1 number= 2 |eng1 name= Westinghouse J30-WE-20 (or J30-P20) |eng1 type= turbojet |eng1 lbf= 1,600 |eng1 note= (Westinghouse 19 XB-2B)

|eng2 number= 2 |eng2 name= Aerojet 14AS-1000 D5 |eng2 type= JATO bottles |eng2 lbf= 1,000 |eng2 note= for 14 seconds  |max speed mph= 505 |max speed note= at {{cvt|30000|ft}} |max speed mach= |cruise speed mph= 248 |cruise speed note=<br/> *'''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|80|mph|kn km/h}} |stall speed mph= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed mph= |minimum control speed note= |range miles= 690 |range note= |combat range miles= |combat range note= |ferry range miles= 1,400 |ferry range note= with external belly tank. |endurance= |ceiling ft= 41,100 |ceiling note= |g limits= |roll rate= |climb rate ftmin= 4,230 |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |wing loading lb/sqft= 36.4 |wing loading note= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |thrust/weight= 0.32

|more performance=  |guns= 4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns |rockets= 8 × 5 in (127 mm) High Velocity Aircraft Rockets<ref name="Mesko7"/> |avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent| |related= * McDonnell F2H Banshee |similar aircraft= * de Havilland Sea Vampire * Grumman F9F Panther * North American FJ-1 Fury * Vought F6U Pirate |lists= * List of fighter aircraft * List of military aircraft of the United States |see also= }}

==References==

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

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

===Bibliography=== * {{cite book |last=Angelucci |first=Enzo |last2=Bowers |first2=Peter M. |title=The American Fighter |location=Sparkford, Somerset, UK |publisher=Haynes Publishing Group |year=1987 |isbn=0-85429-635-2}} * {{cite magazine |last1=Bedford |first1=Alan |title=Earl American Carrier Jets: Evolving Jet Operations with the US Fleet, Part One |magazine=Air Enthusiast |date=May–June 1999 |issue=81 |pages=13–19 |issn=0143-5450}} * {{cite book |title=Holding the line : the naval air campaign in Korea |last=Cleaver |first = Thomas McKelvey |isbn=978-1-4728-3172-9 |location=Oxford, UK |oclc=1084309969 |date = 2019}} * {{cite book |last=Francillon |first=René J. |title=McDonnell Douglas Aircraft since 1920 |location=London, UK |publisher=Putnam & Company Ltd. |year=1979 |isbn=0-370-00050-1}} * {{cite book |last=Ginter |first=Steve |title=McDonnell FH-1 Phantom |location=Simi Valley, California, USA |publisher=Steve Ginter Books |year=2022 |isbn=978-0-942612-53-0}} * {{cite book |last=Green |first=William |title=War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters |location=London, UK |publisher=MacDonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd. |year=1961 |isbn=0-356-01448-7}} * {{cite book |last=Green |first=William |last2=Swanborough |first2=Gordon |title=WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Navy and Marine Corps Fighters |location=London, UK |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's |year=1976 |isbn=0-356-08222-9}} * {{cite book |last=Grossnick |first=Roy A. |title=United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995 |location=Washington, D.C., USA |publisher=Naval Historical Center |year=1997 |isbn=0-945274-34-3 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/PART06.PDF |archive-date=7 May 2011 |access-date=16 May 2026 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110507140321/http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-1910/PART06.PDF |url-status=bot: unknown }} * {{cite magazine |last=Hamilton |first=Hayden |title=The McDonnell FH-1 Phantom: the Forgotten Phantom |magazine=AAHS Journal |volume=55 |issue=2 |date=Summer 2010}} * {{cite book |last=Mesko |first=Jim |title=FH Phantom/F2H Banshee in Action |location=Carrollton, Texas, USA |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications Inc. |year=2002 |isbn=0-89747-444-9}} * {{cite book |last=Mills |first=Carl |title=Banshees in the Royal Canadian Navy |location=Willowdale, Ontario, Canada |publisher=Banshee Publication |year=1991 |isbn=0-9695200-0-X}} * {{cite magazine |title=Mr Mac's First Phantom: The Story of the McDonnell FH-1 |magazine=Air International |volume=33 |issue=5 |date=November 1987 |pages=231–235, 258–260 |location=Bromley, UK |publisher=Fine Scroll |issn=0306-5634}} * {{cite book |last1 = Polmar |first1 = Norman |first2 = Minoru |last2 = Genda |title = Aircraft Carriers: A History of Carrier Aviation and Its Influence on World Events, Volume II: 1946-2006 |year = 2006 |publisher = Potomac Books |isbn = 978-1574886-658}} * {{cite book |url = https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Naval_Aviation_News/UCOVTFoaGEQC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=RA8-PA16 |title = Naval Aviation News |year = 1987 |publisher = Chief of Naval Operations and Naval Air Systems Command, Navy Department}} * {{cite book |last=Wagner |first=Ray |title=American Combat Planes |location=New York, USA |publisher=Doubleday |year=1982 |isbn=0-385-13120-8}}

==External links== {{Commons category|McDonnell FH Phantom}} * [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1947/1947%20-%200524.html "Phantom Development"] a 1947 ''Flight'' article by John W. R. Taylor

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcdonnell Fh Phantom}} Category:Carrier-based aircraft F1H Phantom McDonnell F1H Phantom Category:World War II jet aircraft of the United States Category:Cruciform tail aircraft Category:Twinjets Category:Aircraft first flown in 1945 Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear