HobbyBoss F3H-2M Demon

[Kevthemodeller]

From Wikipedia

The McDonnell F3H Demon is a subsonic swept-wing United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter aircraft. The successor to the F2H Banshee, the Demon was originally designed to use the Westinghouse J40 engine, but had to be redesigned to accept the Allison J71 after the J40 suffered severe problems and was ultimately abandoned. Though it lacked sufficient power for supersonic performance, it complemented daylight dogfighters such as the Vought F8U Crusader and Grumman F11F Tiger as an all-weather, missile-armed interceptor until 1964.

It was withdrawn before it could serve in Vietnam when both it and the Crusader were replaced on Forrestal-class and similar supercarriers by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. McDonnell's Phantom, which was equally capable against ground, fighter, and bomber targets, bears a strong family resemblance, as it was conceived as an advanced development of the Demon. The supersonic United States Air Force F-101 Voodoo was similar in layout, but was derived from the earlier XF-88 Voodoo, which also influenced the Demon's layout.

Development

XF3H-1 prototype on USS Coral Sea in 1953

The first F3H-1N in 1954
Development work began in 1949, using a swept wing from the start rather than adapting a straight-winged design as was done with the Grumman F9F Panther. A competing contract was also awarded for the delta wing Douglas F4D Skyray. The Skyray, with a top speed of 722 mph (1,162 km/h), would become the Navy's first fighter to fly supersonic in level flight, while the Demon would never reach that level of performance. The original design work was based at its predecessor, the F2H Banshee. However, departing from its tradition of using two engines, the Demon would result in McDonnell's only single-engined carrier-based fighter, adopting under some Navy pressure, the Westinghouse J40 engine. That engine was being promoted by the Navy for its next generation of aircraft, and was to have thrust of over 11,000 lbf (49 kN)—three times that of the engines in the F2H Banshee. It was the first swept-wing design produced by McDonnell and among the first U.S. aircraft to have missile armament.

The Navy desperately needed a high performance fighter to meet the challenge of the swept-wing MiG-15 encountered over Korea. Production of the F3H-1N was hastily ordered even before the first flight of the XF3H-1 prototype on 7 August 1951 by test pilot Robert Edholm. The first test flights of the operational design did not occur until January 1953, by which time the Korean War was winding down.

The F3H Demon was originally designed around Navy's ambitious new Westinghouse J40 which was to offer enough power to use just one engine in a number of new aircraft designs. But the engine would ultimately fail to produce the promised thrust or run reliably. The engine was a major disappointment, producing only half of the expected power. Worse, it was temperamental and unreliable. Of 35 F3H-1N aircraft flown with the J40 engine, eight were involved in major accidents. The first production Demons were grounded after the loss of six aircraft and four pilots. Time magazine called the Navy's grounding of all Westinghouse-powered F3H-1 Demons a "fiasco", with 21 unflyable planes that could be used only for Navy ground training at a loss of $200 million. One high point of the J40 was the 1955 setting of an unofficial time-to-climb record, in a Demon, of 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in 71 seconds. The proposed F3H-1P reconnaissance version was never built. The J40 program was terminated sometime in 1955.

All the aircraft it was to power were either canceled or redesigned to use other engines, notably the J57 and the J71. The F4D Skyray had been designed to accept larger engines in case the J40 did not work out, and was eventually powered by the Pratt & Whitney J57. But no other engine could simply be fitted into the old Demons, as both the wings and fuselage would have to be redesigned and enlarged. The best alternative turned out to be the Allison J71 engine which was also used in the Douglas B-66 Destroyer. Subsequent F3Hs with this powerplant were designated the F3H-2N. In service, the J71 proved problematic, providing insufficient power for an aircraft of the Demon's size. The engine also suffered from frequent flameouts and compressor stalls. The first Demon with a J71 flew in October 1954. Another significant problem was the reliability of the ejection seats: initial versions were found to be unreliable and were eventually replaced with Martin-Baker ejection seats that were becoming the standard Navy seat of choice due to their higher performance at low altitude and better reliability.

Despite the problems, the Navy ordered 239 F3H-2s, and the first were deployed in March 1956. 519 Demons were built up to the end of production in November 1959. It was not the Navy's first all-weather interceptor with radar (the AN/APG-51 air interception set was used first on the F2H-4 Banshee). The F3H-2 Demon had the AN/APG-51A, later upgraded to the 51-B version with a tunable magnetron then on to 51-C with better counter-measures in the receiver.

The F3H-2N's standard armament was four 20 mm (.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannons. In later years, the upper two cannons were often omitted to save weight. Later models, redesignated F3H-2M, were equipped to fire the Raytheon AAM-N-2 Sparrow and later the Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Deployed aircraft carried both types of missiles, the Sparrow on the inboard rails and the Sidewinder outboard. Cannons were not used in carrier air defense applications, but they were installed and armed when situations (such as the Cuban Missile Crisis) dictated, and where the aircraft might be deployed against surface targets.

A reconnaissance version, the F3H-2P, was proposed, but never built. It remained the Navy's front-line fighter until 1962, when it was succeeded by the F-4 Phantom II (which was a development of a proposed "Super Demon", a larger and much heavier version of the F3H). Developed during the Korean War to counter the MiG-15, it did not claim any aerial victories with missiles or dogfights, although it flew over Lebanon and Quemoy in 1958.

In 1962, the F3H was redesignated F-3. The F3H-2N became the F-3C, the F3H-2M became MF-3B, and the F3H-2 changed to F-3B.

The last Demon-equipped squadron, VF-161 'Chargers', traded their F-3s for F-4 Phantom IIs in September 1964.

Due to excellent visibility from the cockpit, the Demon earned the nickname "The Chair". Demon pilots were known colloquially as "Demon Drivers" and those who worked on the aircraft were known as "Demon Doctors". The unfavorable power-to-weight ratio gave rise to the less flattering nickname "lead sled", sometimes shortened to "sled".

Variants

F-3Bs of VF-13 in 1963

An F3H-2 with Sparrow missiles
XF3H-1
Prototype single-seat clear-weather interceptor fighter. Powered by 6,500 lbf (29 kN) (9,200 lbf (41 kN) with afterburner) Westinghouse XJ40-WE-6 engine. Two built.
F3H-1N
Initial production version. Single-seat all-weather fighter version, powered by 7,200 lbf (32 kN) (10,900 lbf (48 kN) with afterburner) J40-WE-22 engine. 58 built.
F3H-1P
Proposed reconnaissance version of F3H-1. Never built.
F3H-2N
All-weather fighter powered by 9,500 lbf (42 kN) (14,250 lbf (63.4 kN) Allison J71-A-2 engine and equipped to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. 239 built. Redesignated F-3C in 1962.
F3H-2M
Derivative of F3H-2N armed with four AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles. 80 built. Redesignated MF-3B in 1962.
F3H-2
Single-seat strike fighter version, retaining Sidewinder and Sparrow capability of the −2M/N and adding payload of 6,000 lb (2,730 kg) bombs or rockets. 239 built. Redesignated F-3B in 1962.
F3H-2P
Proposed photo-reconnaissance version of −2. Unbuilt.
F3H-3
Proposed version with the General Electric J73 engine. Unbuilt.

[Hawkmoon]

Looks a nice kit and will be watching your progress Kev

[Tomcat64]

Now that's definitely something different - don't think I'd ever come across this type before so really interesting stuff.

Looking forward to seeing how it comes together Kev

[Kevthemodeller]

Looks a nice kit and will be watching your progress Kev

mate

Now that's definitely something different - don't think I'd ever come across this type before so really interesting stuff.

Looking forward to seeing how it comes together Kev

It was a bit of a flop in service and the Skyray outperformed it even in top speed apparently. But McDonnell redesigned it added another engine and the F4 Phantom was born, the rest is history as they say. If you look closely they're many similarities between the F3 & F4.

[Tomcat64]

Now that's definitely something different - don't think I'd ever come across this type before so really interesting stuff.

It was a bit of a flop in service and the Skyray outperformed it even in top speed apparently. But McDonnell redesigned it added another engine and the F4 Phantom was born, the rest is history as they say. If you look closely they're many similarities between the F3 & F4.

Yep when I first saw it I was thinking you could see how an injection of steroids would evolve it into an F4.

[Kevthemodeller]

Been a bit lax with posting, but have been building away.

[Kevthemodeller]

Cockpit tub almost complete, this ended up being a real pain to locate in the fuselage sub assembly. It turned out the mouldings are very inaccurate, requiring extensive rework.

I got so involved with the work and assembled it without taking any pictures the work was mainly the width and thickness of the floor tub sides, which prevented the tub locating within the cutouts on the fuselage sub assembly sides. Assembled fuselage sub assembly, all the rework is hidden.



The seam just forward of the cockpit wasn't mating even without the cockpit tub in place and is just poor moulding.


Arrestor hook

These air vents/intakes were another real pain to fit they had to be glued to one side of the fuselage before they are joined. There's no way to fit them once the half's are together, they didn't align correctly, either being too high/low for the opposite side. More rework, mainly filing, but I got there

Air brake cells, these suffered the same moulding issues, more filing, but less then the other parts.

Fuselage ready to receive the fuselage sub assembly and the engine

Ready to close the fuselage half's

The joined fuselage

[Stokesy44]

Interesting subject, pit looks good and nice nose wheel detail

[Kevthemodeller]

Interesting subject, pit looks good and nice nose wheel detail

mate.

I'm really right at the beginning with aircraft building and still experimenting with what works best for me. I'm not overly happy with the panel and detail lining, I'm using Tamiya's bottle stuff, same as their glue bottles. I apply let it dry and then set about removing the surplus with cotton bubs and thinners, it's not always as accurate method as I'd like. In the smaller places, the buds of all different shapes/sizes either removes too much or not enough, I'm going to experiment with Mig Ammo and a brush.

[Parker]

Nice start, Kev.

There's no way i could put the front landing gear on that early. I would snap it off within 10 minutes.

[Hawkmoon]

Nice start on the beasty and looking good

[Quax]

good start Kev and certainly an new one on me

Paul

[Tomcat64]

Great start Kev, that cockpit & seat look great.

I'm with Parker though, I'd definitely end up fumbling that front gear leg at some point!

[Kevthemodeller]

Nice start, Kev.

There's no way i could put the front landing gear on that early. I would snap it off within 10 minutes.

Great start Kev, that cockpit & seat look great.

I'm with Parker though, I'd definitely end up fumbling that front gear leg at some point!

Thanks guys I didn't really think it through, as the front landing gear tub is built as a separate unit, as I said newish to aircraft building. I'll think I might try and remove it

Nice start on the beasty and looking good

mate

good start Kev and certainly an new one on me

Paul

It's one of those aircraft that seem to just appear and disappear, in silence almost, is was also a disappointment and never really achieved what it was designed to do. It really is a case of all show and no go. It was over shadowed by other aircraft, at the time the US Navy had quite a few different aircraft doing the same job. It wasn't until the early 60's when they started to slim down on types.

[Kevthemodeller]

Been a bit slack with posting updates, of late. It's been a lot of work sorting out the wings and lower front fuselage for fit issues, nothing really bad but time consuming.

The kit has an option for folded wings, which I've gone for, first being it's more interesting and saves space! Each wing is marked on the underside, which is great however the marked out rebate is quite wide in comparison to the actual joint on the upper surfaces. If you don't get you cut right in the centre of the rebate you'll end up cutting through rivet and panel line detail. I forgot to take a picture of the upper wing surface, but you'll be able to see the detail I'm referring to in later pictures.

Under carriage wing wells

Each wing section is then glued together and an end section glued in, not the raised boarded round the wing hinge hole.

The fit on these is really not the best, the rebate isn't deep enough in the wing sections, to give anything like a flush fit. The wing hinge hole has a raised broader, this isn't allowed for in the wing rebate either, the whole end fill section had to be thinned down at the back removing the raised boarded. Even with the end sections now fitting flush the fit is still not as good as I want.



After a lot of sprue filling, scraping and sanding, I'got a fit I'm happy with.


I now have to reposition the wing fold hinge. The moulded hole is too low and allows the folded wing to touch the horizontal wing, which prevents the wing from locating in the hinge correctly. I elongated the moulded hole allowing the hinge to be moved higher and eliminating the contact and allowing correct fit. The nearest hole has been modified.

Modified wing section on the right

Finished horizontal wing section with hinge in place

Finished folding wing section

All the wings, ailerons, tail fins and rudder are complete, ready for the sections of wing PE to be fitted.

Lower front fuselage sections in place, the fit was quite good, just they were twisted slightly, which meant having to glue and hold in sections at a time. The shape made that process quite time consuming.
Oh and i have now removed the front under carriage, lesson learnt there


Fuselage seem sanding is next, then attach the wing PE

[Kevthemodeller]

Somewhat distracted of late Small up date wings are now and PE now completed
The PE is a little fiddly to place as it's not only around the wing profile but at an angle



Wing to fuselage next

[Stokesy44]

Nice work. PE looks good on the wings.

[Kevthemodeller]

Thanks mate

[Kevthemodeller]

After the little heat wave managed to get some time on the build over the weekend

Wings, the fit wasn't as good as I was expecting, gaps way more than my recent Skyhawk from HB, but there's no anhedral as there should be. After pondering for a good while I decided to not bother trying to modify the kit it would have been a real pain



After filling

[Stokesy44]

Keep going mate, wont be long till you can get the paint out.

[Kevthemodeller]

Keep going mate, wont be long till you can get the paint out.

Thanks mate

[Kevthemodeller]

Small up date bit it took nearly all afternoon, to clean these up and the drop tanks still have a few areas that need sorting.

[Kevthemodeller]

Been somewhat busy with work of late

I've had little bench time, but managed to snatch a few hours here and there just not had the time to post the pictures. Weapons and undercarriage are now assembled, the latter are 7 parts at varying angles, all of which you can't assemble outside of the bay. I had to dry position all the parts, in the bay and glue each part respective part to the main shock. This required a good amount of fitting so as allow each to fit snugly into the bay but be able to be removed once set.

Canopy is now fitted and I made my own masks, quite time consuming but enjoyable

The intake vents are a complex shape and required masking off individually.

Aileron's, elevators, rudder, wings and drop tanks have been primed

[Kevthemodeller]

Got the fuselage primed



And the highlights

[Stokesy44]

Nice work. Smooth priming and pre-shade / basing work looks great.

Now for the base coat

[Kevthemodeller]

Thanks mate

I though I'd practice the basing for later builds. These 60' - 80's USN jets didn't have the later low viz matt paint work as you often see them in. My research tells me they were all gloss and designed to be washed off one for ease of maintenance the other nuke fallout/contamination. As time and use took it's toll the surface became more semi gloss and you start to get the mottled effect, but nothing like the full matt of the 90's onward's.

[Tomcat64]

Just managed to catch up on this one Kev - really nice work in sorting out the wing hinges especially, as well as tidying up the other challenges it's thrown up.

Great to see it in primer though

[Kevthemodeller]

Just managed to catch up on this one Kev - really nice work in sorting out the wing hinges especially, as well as tidying up the other challenges it's thrown up.

Great to see it in primer though

Thanks Neil

[Kevthemodeller]

Top colour is on having a play around with the shading/ basing effects, got a few bit to tidy up but I'm so far happy with the results.


I have made one really big error I forgot to drill out the holes for the under wing pylons, now it's got primer and colour coats the 'shine the bright light underneath' trick doesn't work

[Tomcat64]

Great looking first coat Kev

Do you have anything to line the pylons up with? Just thinking you could put a dab of paint on each of the locating pins and then offer that up the wings to leave your drill points?

[Kevthemodeller]

I thought about what you've suggested Neil and about using a template etc, but I've decided to just go with a naked look I'm really wanting to get the kit finished now, it's been a bit of a pain if I'm honest, the issue with the holes is totally my fault But they're other areas of the kits engineering that really make life hard the jet intakes or trying to paint them so as to get a perfectly straight line is going to be a challenge At the moment they're just blocked off but the internal/external paint line won't be straight and those wing PE wind splitters are just a nightmare, I've knocked a couple off at least 2 or 3 times The engine has to be painted before it's place in the fuselage and it's such a tight fit, trying to mask off the exhaust is just a pain.

I'm winning but, there's a lot of refixing, patching up, repainting going on, which is really dragging things out, it's a shame I like the aircraft, just want it finished to a reasonable standard.

[Stokesy44]

Keep going mate, victory is always just over the next hill

[Tomcat64]

[Kevthemodeller]

Keep going mate, victory is always just over the next hill

Cheers Fella's I'm still chipping away
Decals on, panel lining on the fuselage is done

[jchrisf]

That looks awesome!

[Stokesy44]

Looks good. Love those old USN Colours

[BigWall]

Looking great!

[Kevthemodeller]

That looks awesome!

[/quote]

That looks awesome!

Guys, some way to go yet but getting there.

Looks good. Love those old USN Colours

You and me both mate, some of the best aircraft liveries ever very

[digger303]

Looking like a perfect build all the way

[Tomcat64]

That looks great with the decals on Kev - I'm with you on the early US Naval schemes - they look great!

[Stokesy44]

That looks great with the decals on Kev - I'm with you on the early US Naval schemes - they look great!

They had that brash F****ff we’re the USN look about them. They knew they were top dog and didn’t mind everyone knowing it me thinks.

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking like a perfect build all the way

mate

That looks great with the decals on Kev - I'm with you on the early US Naval schemes - they look great!

Neil, they really do

They had that brash F****ff we’re the USN look about them. They knew they were top dog and didn’t mind everyone knowing it me thinks.

I think that's about spot on Our carrier aircraft had similar tail liveries, just a boring blue fuselage!

[Kevthemodeller]

Calling this one done


Reveal is Here