Boneyard Files: McDonnell F-3B Demon – The Forgotten Ancestor of the Phantom
The McDonnell F-3B Demon was an early swept-wing naval interceptor that faced major engine issues before entering service in the 1950s. It later became one of the Navy’s first all-weather missile fighters and influenced the development of the F-4 Phantom II.
The McDonnell F-3B Demon, a fighter jet used by the United States Navy, was associated with the VF-13 Squadron, designated with the tail code AK/104. In the late 1960s, after it retired from active service, this aircraft was stationed quietly at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.
Boneyard Files: Lockheed F-104 Starfighter – The Silver Needles of Davis Monthan
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a high-speed interceptor known for its sleek design and Mach 2 capability. It set multiple speed and altitude records and served globally before retirement at Davis-Monthan.
The Lockheed F-104B-5-LO Starfighter (serial number 57-1305) was part of the USAF. It arrived at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, on December 5, 1967, and was assigned a Production Control Number (PCN) of FB0012. The aircraft was later returned to service at Edwards Air Force Base with the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) and the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC). After returning to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on October 14, 1972, it received a new PCN, FB0042. On March 11, 1982, the Starfighter was transferred to Char Wink in Culver City.Image via Neil Aird
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Avenger Takes Flight After 17-Year Restoration
After 17 years and more than 50,000 hours of dedicated volunteer work, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Grumman Avenger has returned to the skies. The successful first flight marks a major milestone in the aircraft’s long restoration journey, bringing a historic WWII torpedo bomber back to life in its Royal Canadian Navy configuration.
The Avenger has been restored as #86180 of the Royal Canadian Navy in an anti-submarine configuration that flew with 880 and 881 Squadrons. (Image credit: Canadian Warplane Heritage)