McDonnell XF-88
     The XF-88 was designed to fill a USAF requirement for a "Pene-
 tration Fighter", a new class of aircraft for long-range escort of
 USAF bombers. Two XF-88s were ordered (S/N 46-525, 526) in 1946 and
 the first flight was on 29 October 1948. The XF-88 was underpowered
 and the second aircraft was modified to the XF-88A by adding after-
 burning engines which increased its maximum speed to approximately
 700 mph. The XF-88A design was used as the basis for the F-101
 "Voodoo".
     The original XF-88 was modified to XF-88B with the addition of
 afterburning turbojets and an Allison XT-38A turboprop. The turboprop
 engine was added to test the feasibility of extending the cruising
 range of a fighter aircraft. This arrangement, like the XF-81, proved
 impractical and was never adopted for production.
 TYPE               Number built/Converted
 XF-88                      2
 XF-88A                     1 (cv)
 XF-88B                     1 (cv)
 Remarks:    Penetration Ftr.
 Mod. XF-88: Turboprop mod.
 SPECIFICATIONS (XF-88)
 Span: 39 ft. 8 in.
 Length: 54 ft. 2 in.
 Height: 17 ft. 3 in.
 Weight: 18,500 lbs. loaded
 Engines: 2 Westinghouse J34-WE-13 turbojets of 3,000 lbs. thrust ea.
 Armament: Designed for six 20mm cannons
 Crew: One
 PERFORMANCE
 Maximum speed: 641 mph
 Range: 1,737 miles with 734 gallons in internal fuel tanks and
        two 350 gallon external fuel tip tanks.
 Service Ceiling: 36,000 ft
 ===
--- DB 1.39/004487
---------------