F-94C "Starfighter"

Brief History

The Lockheed F-94C was a subsonic fighter designed to serve as an interim all-weather interceptor. It was based on the airframe of the T-33A trainer, but fitted with a more powerful after burning engine, interception radar and armament. It was flown by the 109th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (St. Paul, MN) in 1957 and the 179th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (Duluth, MN) from 1954 to 1959, before the units converted to the F-89 Scorpions. Both units did their flying out of Duluth, MN and Volk Field, WI since Holman Field was not satisfactory for handling this aircraft. The first F-94s received by the 179th FIS were As and Bs. By the time the F-94Cs came on line the 109th was converting to a new air defense mission located at MSP IAP. They were to take over the air defense mission of the USAF and were to fly F-89s.