McDonnell F3H Demon - Part One

The McDonnell F3H Demon was the first swept-wing single-seat fighter to fly designed to be a carrier-based one. It was conceived as a day fighter two prototypes being ordered with the designation of XF3H-1 on 30th September 1949. It was designed by a team leaded by Richard Deagen and the first prototype was flown on 7th August 1951, powered by a Westinghouse J40-WE-6 engine that rated 6500 lb st (2948kgp) on dry and 9200 lb st (4173 kgp) on afterburning. Meanwhile, the requirement was revised to call for a limited all-weather capability, with the production hurried up as the F3H-1N before the prototype was tested. The first mentioned prototype was flown on 24th December 1953 and was powered by a J40-WE-8 engine that delivered 7500 lb st (3402kgp) on dry and 10500 lb st (4763kgp) on afterburner and it was armed with four 20mm cannons. As the engine was really troublesome, it ceased production after only 58 airplanes were made, and the F3H-1N never entered service with the United States Navy.

Sources:
1. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_F3H_Demon