McDonnell F3H DEMON

“McDonnell F3H Demon” by Tony Buttler is a detailed exploration of the Demon naval fighter, an aircraft that is chiefly remembered for the controversial delays and troubles suffered by its jet engine powerplants.

The original J40 was a failure and brought the end of the original F3H-1 series, but the J71 engine in the revised F3H-2, although not perfect, did help in the development of a decent service aircraft.

Begun as an interceptor, the Demon was a large and heavy single-seat fighter. It could reach supersonic speed in a dive with ease, and one of the later versions became the Navy’s first all-weather missile-firing fighter.

In the air, the Demon handled beautifully. The aircraft never took part in a major conflict but was on hand aboard US Navy carriers between 1958 and 1965 in case any of the crisis situations of that period turned into a major conflict.

This book provides a comprehensive look at the history and development of the McDonnell F3H Demon.