F-89D Scorpion - "The Interceptor"

The F-89 Scorpion was a twin-jet, engine, all weather interceptor. It was the first jet powered aircraft specifically designed for that role to enter service. It also became the first combat aircraft to be armed with air-to-air nuclear weapons. It featured a crew of two seated in tandem with the pilot in front and a radar operator in the rear.  The F-89A, F-89B and F-89Cversions of the aircraft were armed with six 20MM cannon mounted in the nose. The F-89D, version featured fifty-two 2.75 in (70 mm) "Mighty Mouse" Mk 4/Mk 40 Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets mounted in each of the two wing pods, for a total of 104. The "D" model became the major production version of the Scorpion with 682 being built.  The final variant was the F-89J with 350 F-89D units modified to this standard. This model was fitted with a pylon under each wing for a single MB-1 Genie nuclear rocket. The F-89J became the only aircraft to fire a live Genie during Operation Plumb-bob on July 19, 1957.