First Flight:
The prototype of the FH-1 Phantom (originally designated FD-1) made its maiden flight on January 26, 1945.

Jet Age Gamble:
On August 31, 1943, the F6F-3 Hellcat entered combat. It was the focus of the more established manufacturers like Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation (maker of the Hellcat) on building aircraft for combat that in part led the Navy to choose McDonnell Aircraft Corporation on August 30 1943, to build the sea service’s first jet. It was a gamble in that the company, founded in July 1939, had never worked on a Navy aircraft. The success in designing the FH-1 laid the foundation for a long association with the Navy, the company eventually delivering the F-4 Phantom II, one of the most successful and widely-produced aircraft in aviation history. 

Design:
The FH-1’s design evolved from three small jet engines on each wing to twin 1,600-lb. static thrust Westinghouse J30-WE-20 engines that gave the airplane a top speed of 479 M.P.H, a 68 M.P.H increase over the most advanced propeller fighter design of the time, Grumman’s F8F Bearcat. In addition to jet engines, the new design featured tricycle landing gear, but overall it was conservative as evidenced by its wing and tail surfaces. There was a dihedral on the tail to keep it clear of the jet exhaust. Though the initial order was for 100 planes, the end of World War II prompted a reduction to 60 aircraft.

Service:
As the Navy’s first pure jet aircraft, the Phantom captured the public’s imagination. The arrival of one at an air show in Miami prompted this newspaper write-up. “[It was the] fastest trip ever made down the Florida east coast … [The airplane] whooshed over Master Airport yesterday afternoon exactly 42 minutes after leaving Jacksonville, 325 air miles distant.” The only issue, as the pilot pointed out after landing, was the peeling lacquer on the leading edge of the wing, the result of passing through a rainstorm at high speed. The FH-1 also equipped an unofficial flight demonstration team called the Marine Phantoms

Carrier First:
In May 1948, FH-1s of VF-17A made Naval Aviation history during operations on board USS Saipan (CVL 48), becoming the first carrier-qualified jet squadron. VF-17A also participated in tactical exercises and demonstrations. Alerted of the approach of a simulated bogey flying 70 miles from the carrier, FH-1s launched, climbed to 10,000 feet and intercepted a P2V Neptune patrol plane when it was 35 miles from Saipan. In another instance, a helicopter dropped a dye marker on the water and marked it with a smoke float. Streaking Phantoms unleashed their machine guns on the “spreading blob of green dye. After its strafing run, each plane zoomed up and barrel-rolled, simulating fighter and interception technique.”

The Museum’s Aircraft:
Accepted by the Navy in February 1948, the museum’s FH-1 spent only a brief time in active service, flying with Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF) 122, the first Marine jet squadron, It was stricken from the naval inventory in 1949.