McDonnell FH Phantom
Country of origin
United States
United States
ManufacturerMcDonnell Aircraft Corporation
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, as well as being the first jet aircraft to be deployed by the United States Marine Corps.
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...
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...
