On this day in aviation history, March 23, 1948, the Douglas F3D Skyknight took to the skies for its maiden flight. The F3D was Douglas Aircraft’s response to a 1945 U.S. Navy requirement for a jet-powered, carrier-based night fighter equipped with radar. Given the size of airborne radar systems at the time, the aircraft had to be designed around the bulky equipment to accommodate it effectively. This necessity gave the F3D its distinctive barrel-shaped fuselage and broad, straight “Hershey bar” wings, which provided the lift needed to keep the radar-equipped airframe airborne.
Following its first flight, the Skyknight went on to serve with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the Korean War. The F3D was tasked with a “seek and destroy” mission after dark, targeting enemy aircraft under the cover of night. It also played a critical escort role, flying alongside Boeing B-29 Superfortresses during nighttime bombing raids. The Skyknight successfully engaged and downed several MiG-15s during the conflict, with only one aircraft lost in combat—a testament to its effectiveness.
A total of 265 F3Ds were built before production ceased in 1952. The aircraft was powered by two Westinghouse J34-WE-36 turbojet engines, each producing 3,400 pounds of thrust, allowing the F3D to reach a top speed of 530 miles per hour. It was well-armed, featuring four 20mm Hispano-Suiza M2 cannons, two 11.75-inch “Tiny Tim” unguided rockets, four Sparrow air-to-air missiles, and provisions to carry two 2,000-pound bombs.
Although not produced in large numbers and often overshadowed by more famous contemporaries like the F-86 Sabre, the Douglas F3D Skyknight performed its mission with distinction. Today, nine surviving airframes can be seen in museums across the United States, ensuring that this unique night fighter continues to receive the recognition it deserves.
