Flew the D,H,&J at Wurtsmith.Spent 6 months at Egland in Fl.Working on the snap-up.Went to the airlines in 98 and retired from US Airways in 93.Now running a brass factory and import business.Loved the 89.
I was stationed with the 75th FIS in Presques Isle,Me 1956-1959 as a fire control systems mechanic e-9 system on the F89. Loved it.. great group. If anyone out there stationed same time period, I.D yourself
Just found this site. Arriving at Truex Field, Madison,Wi in Oct 1951, I was assigned to the 176th FIS. ANG unit activated to protect northen U.S.Soon recieved F-89B's with R.O.'s. The A /C were grounded 'cause wings were breaking off in flight. R.O.'s needed training so a B-25 was modified with radar units in the back. Most of the spring and summer of 52, I was the flt mechanic along with T /Sgt Bob Nichols and another S /Sgt. We chased a T-6 all over the states giving the R O's practice.My last flight was traing flt to Chicago. Milwaukee and return at night.Somewhere around Milwaukee the left engine blew a jug and we came back on one engine.It about midnight when touched down at Truex and the right tire blew but he pilot kept it on the concrete. A few days later I got my orders for Korea and did not fly again. I am 78 and suppose the other two are long gone. Denver L. Conley
does anyone rember an f89 going down over the atlantic fom the 58th fis. the crew is remembered at th Otis memorial park and we want them remembered this Memorial Day along with the Fifty fallen stars of the 551st and the twenty nine of ~Texas Tower four by the media. jj
My father, Lawrence Reichert was a pilot stationed at Ladd Airforce base 1952-1954, and Otis Airforce base until 1955 who flew this aircraft. Did any of you happen to know him?
I flew in the B and C models of the F-89 in the back seat as an RO at Hamilton AFB in 1952 and 1953. The planes were grounded because of the wings coming off. Our squadron (84th FIS ) went to F-94 B and C models.
I was FCS Mech., at Wurtsmith AFB from 1957 to 1960. Was in the 412th CAMRON. Did a little stint in the 18th FIS in Operations, then cross trained into GSE. Loved the 89. It looked like it meant business.
Trained at James Connally in '57, went to Dover, Del late '57 in F94C'S, To Iceland in June of '58 in F89D. Was there when Bill Anders was there as Pilot /Generals aide. Had more fun in Iceland..
I flew the F-89D with the 76th FIS at Presque Isle, ME from October 1956 thru September 1957. We gave all our aircraft to the Maine Air Guard and transferred to Pinecastle AFB, FL where we flew the F-89H. After 4 years in the RC-121D I was transferred to Webb AFB to instruct in the T-38A. In 1969 transferred to McConnell AFB, KS and checked out in the F-105D. Flew combat out of Tahkli RTAFB, Thailand in 1970. The F-89D was quite a thrill when I made my first take-off in that heavy airplane and then realized I had to land it. Not a problem.
Just out of Aircraft& engine tech school at Amarillo AFB. I cut my teeth as an aircraft Mech. F-89Ds at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska with the 65th FIS, in 1956. What a great aircraft. Anyone that was there at that time, I would love to hear from
I was a Special Weapons Technician supporting the ANG F-89J's and AF F-106's at Duluth, MN. 1962-67 and ANG F-101B /F's 71-75. Duluth ANG unit,148FIG /179FIS won the 1964 Ricks Trophy with the "J". Team Captain was LtCol Al Amatuzio developer of AMZOIL. Currently restoring the Pilots ejection seat from F-89J tail number 52-1905 and need parts if anyone would care to donate.
I was Armament Engineer for the F69-J for Douglas Aircraft both at Holloman in New Mexico and Yuma in Arizona. My job was the MB-1 Genie.We had the launchers and the kit that replaced the nucs for practice firings. When we had a problem at the Yuma firing, I got to ride rear seat on the chase plane. We did an outside loop to avoid a mid-air collision, Good old days!..
I was an aircraft electrician, stationed at Wurtsmith AFB, 1956 thru 58.I remember waiting to cross the runway one day and spotted one of the 2.75 rockets hanging out of one of the pods on the D model. I alerted the tower and they aborted the take-off!
Stationed Thule AFB,1956-1957 74th FIS (Flying Tigers)Instrument repairman & shop chief for 6 months (Airman 2nd at the time,every one else of rank rotated).Nice aircraft built for mechanics. Seem to remember it had a little trouble catching SAC's B-47's. COLD,COLD & COLD but it took it!!
WebbAFB 53E on to Moody for Instruments F94C.On to Iceland 82FIS & F94B. Reverse High Flight. Iceland to BW-1, Goose, Presque Isle. Red fuel lights on every leg. Flamed out befor parking at Goose. At PQ 82 became 76FIS with F89D's. Not as much fun to fly as the 94C as we were restricted unless the radar was out. Still a great aircraft. I agree with all of the other comments about the Scorpion.
After pilot training (class 55-G) I went to Moody AFB and checked out in the F-89D, then on to Wurtsmith AFB where I flew the F-89D and H models (445th). Then to the 57thFIS in Iceland For a year and then to The 54th FIS at Rapid City SD and the F-89J. While there we deployed to Yuma, Az (twice because of the Cuban Crises) to fire the MA-1. our squadron set 28 world records and won the Hughes Trophy that year. I had just over 900 hours in the 3 models and can say that it was the most stable gun platform. From the F-89 I got to fly the Cessna 310, T-33, Sabreliner and the RF-4C (1500 hrs in th RF-4C) All great aircraft.
My father flew the 89 for the WANG during the very early 50s. He retired from the unit in 1979.
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