The F-94 Starfire was evolved to satisfy a requirement for a two-seat all-weather radar-equipped fighter. It originally used many of the main components and the production facilities of the two-seat T-33 trainer. The prototypes were converted T-33A, each with a new 26.69kN Allison J33-A-33 turbojet, radar equipment installed in the fuselage nose and accommodation for the radar operator in the rear cockpit. Its 1,200 lb. of electronic equipment includes automatic target location, tracking and rocket-firing radar. Armament of four 12.7mm guns was retained in the forward fuselage.
Lockheed F-94 Starfire Article
Deliveries of production F-94A began in June 1950. These incorporated the wings, landing gear and centre fuselage of the T-33, with a new nose and rear fuselage (former to house the radar and the latter for the afterburner installation). All hydraulic, electric and control systems were similar to those of the F-80C.
The F-94A were followed in 1951 by F-94B which differed in having square wingtips with centrally mounted Fletcher tip-tanks of larger capacity and improved shape, raised to the wing centre-line, and a revised hydraulic system.
The final version was the F-94C with a thinner wing, longer nose, swept horizontal tail surfaces, larger vertical surfaces, a more powerful engine, and the radome centred in the fuselage nose and surrounded by a ring of 24 air-to-air rockets housed in firing tubes, faired by a retractable shield. Two pods (one mounted on each wing) could together accommodate 24 more rockets. A total of 544kg of electronic equipment included automatic locating, tracking and firing instruments, Westinghouse autopilot, Sperry Zero-Reader, ILS, etc.
A total of 854 production Starfires were built. The USAF’s first turbojet-powered all-weather interceptor, the type served primarily with Air Defense Command for national defence.
F-94C
Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney J48-P-5 turbojet with afterburner, 6,250 lb / 28.2kN thrust
Max take-off weight: 10970 kg / 24185 lb
Empty weight: 5764 kg / 12708 lb
Wingspan: 11.38 m / 37 ft 4 in
Length: 13.56 m / 44 ft 6 in
Height: 4.55 m / 14 ft 11 in
Wing area: 21.63 sq.m / 232.82 sq ft
Max. speed: 1030 km/h / 640 mph
Ceiling: 15665 m / 51400 ft
Range: 1296 km / 805 miles
Armament: 48 x 2.75 in
Crew: 2
All Aero 