McDonnell F3H-2 "Demon" 1/48 Grand Phoenix(Decals and rockets A-model)
The F3H Demon was McDonnell Aircraft Corporation's first swept wing aircraft, providing the basis for development of the F-4 Phantom II. It was an infamously troubled aircraft; engine problems plagued the first version of the airplane, resulting in eleven crashes and the deaths of four pilots between 1952 and 1955. Later versions of the aircraft were designed for all-weather operations and could carry the AIM-7 Sparrow missile, yet the Demon never shook its troubled reputation.
Very nice Demon, it was in the comic books (Buck Danny) I used to read which also dated from the era but I read them in the 80-ies! Always found it a leak a/c although it was not as documented compared to other contemporary models of MDD. Congrats with this build Josef!
Thank you
Krasavec, mám ho v kitníku a moc se na něj těším.
It is beautiful with very decent weathering, ... nice and clean build. Congratulations!
Díkes Martine
Don't see that many Demons modeled (at least I don't), and this one's a real beauty.
Thank Craig
Yeah, you don't see many built, and I was surprised when 48th kits became available. Interesting as a step in the McDonnell family of Navy fighters.
Really nice work!
If the Navy could have been pried loose of #$%$#! Allison (General Motors) and let McDonnell put one of those excellent Pratt & Whitney J-57s in the Demon (an easy conversion), the story of the Demon would be entirely different - that of an airplane that lived up to its specifications and expectations. Of course, the fact the former CEO of GM was Secretary of Defense had nothing to do with the decision, just like the fact the same person had been head of the War Production Board had nothing to do with Lockheed not being allowed to dump the Allisons in favor of Packard-built Merlins in the P-38 because of "production difficulties" since politics and personal greed never enter into defense expenditures. (/snark)
Thank you for informations
Great looking Demon! The only option in my scale was the Emhar kit, but I just had to have one in my collection.
I build Emhar now for friend and I say only omg. But in 1/72 this is not any choice. 🙁
Nice Demon!
A very nice looking F3H.
If you look past the engine problems, pilots generally had high praise for the Demon from the standpoint of cockpit visibility and general handling characteristics around the boat. It was a large airplane but operated from the ESSEX class carriers routinely with very little difficulty.
Delving further into the development of the F3H, McDonnell went with the Allison J-71 not so much because of collusion with the former CEO of GM, but i suspect more because the J-57 was in very high demand and there simply were not enough to go around. Unproven as it was, the J-71 was available. Looking at the specs of the J-71 and comparing it with its contemporaries, the J-71 was the closest engine available -on paper- that was comparable to the J-57 in terms of weight, thrust, and fuel consumption.
Of course we know now that the J-71 wasn't the world-beater that the J-57 was. But then the J-75 and J-79 came out and everything changed...