F-94 Starfire

The F-94 Starfire, produced by Lockheed, was the first U.S. production jet to have an afterburner. It was one of the first jet fighter aircraft equipped with radar and the first operational all weather interceptor.

The F-94 Starfire was a derivative of a training aircraft. Its mission was as an interceptor. The aircraft was rushed into production as a stop gap measure until more sophisticated aircraft could be developed.  This was to counter the perceived threat of fleets of Soviet nuclear bomber aircraft, soon after the Soviet Union exploded their first atomic bomb. The aircraft carried on-board radar, but was initially armed only with four .50 caliber machine guns.

A F-94 Starfire prototype first flew on April 16, 1949. Production aircraft were deployed by December of 1949.

Initial missions of the F-94 Starfire were flown with the U.S. Air Defense Command, where they were kept on 3-minute alert status, ready to intercept Soviet bombers.

The F-94 Starfire saw action in the Korean War, primarily as a night fighter. They are credited with the downing of four enemy planes during the war. Their service continued with the U.S. Air National Guard until 1959.

The F-94 Starfire model C, that first flew on January 19, 1950, was the first all-weather fighter aircraft to go supersonic in a dive. It was much improved over prior models. A new, more aerodynamic wing was fitted to the upgraded F-94 Starfire along with a more reliable, powerful engine. Avionics, include the weapons control systems, were also upgraded. The aircraft was armed with up to 48 unguided rockets. There were 387 F-94 Starfire model C aircraft built.

A total of 853 F-94 Starfire aircraft of all types were produced.