The classic Cold War design of the F-89 Scorpion was the product of a 1945 USAAF specification for a night fighter. The aircraft was to have a crew of two with an offensive armament of six 20mm cannon. The prototype was first flown on August 16, 1948 by test pilot Fred C. Bretcher. The first major production model was the F-89D, which swapped the cannon for a phalanx of 104 missiles. The final version was the F-89J, which carried two Genie nuclear-tipped missiles along with four Falcon air-to-air missiles tipped with high explosives. Both the D and J versions used highly advanced Hughes fire control systems coupled with radar and computers. Although the Scorpion appears quaint and dated now, these were highly advanced aircraft for their time. The Howard Hughes movie Jet Pilot starring John Wayne and Janet Leigh prominently features the F-89 as a 'supporting actor.'
For FS2004 and FSX
Features
3 Scorpion variations with 3 detailed texture sets :
native FSX model with all FSX features (bump mapping, self-shadowing, bloom etc)
each variant has unique seperate flight model
each aircraft has its own unique engine, weight and fuel configuration and the performance differences between aircraft are accurately reflected
complete fuel management and instrument navigation package
unique Scorpion "Flight Computer" gauge custom made for this particular aircraft.
detailed checklist and performance that precisely matches that of the real aircraft, with procedures and performance figures taken directly from the actual flight manual for the F-89 Scorpion
custom effects for afterburner flames (3-stage), smoke (startup & in-flight), wingtip and flap contrails and wing surface vapour 'flash'
simulated F-89 soundset included
authentic virtual cockpit with animations and mousable controls
authentic all-xml 2D panel, custom pop-ups for autopilot and radios, fully mousable
realsitic glass reflection effect on gauges
automatic (on throttle) animated afterburner visual effect with corresponding performance boost