I found one that is available to buy.

It is in original condition and I thinking about it. I would like to have a mechanic familiar with one to check it out to see if it is worth messing with. Probably a money pit (just in fuel alone)but a unique one!

Anyone else remember the SSA, and what would happen when it would lose sync and "hunt?"

I flew the H and J at Portland, OR. Total 2300 hours total. Started with the H in 1958 and then flew six years in the J. I've been to 50,000 feet with one a couple of times. The weapon on the J gave it some performance as an interceptor. All we had to do was get in front. We could deal with targets up to around 60. Nice old airplane to learn to fly with. Went on to the 102 (500hrs) and the 101B (400 hrs). Nicest airplane to fly was the 102, but not much of a weapon. (I always figured that we gave it to the Greeks and Turks, so nobody would get hurt.) The 101B was still a good weapon when it was retired.

I flew both the back and front seat, on the D (104 folding-fin rockets), the & the J (Nucleaur armed MB-1) models in the Wisconsin ANG, Madison, WI, from 1960 - 1966. The pilot check-out, took a “courageous instructor“ (generally the Squadron Commander), because there were no flight controls in the back seat! That great big tail, could hold a lot of stuff, - including B-4 bags and skies. The “simulated attacks“ by B-58’s left the F-89J stalled out in the “snap-up” maneuver - the computer became “saturated” and could not cope with super-sonic closures.

I flew in the F-89 D model as an R/O in the 460th Fighter Squadron in Portland Oregon in 1957 and 1958. Our base commander at that time was Colonel Pitts, and I was in Red Flight, commanded by Capt Smith. Don Martin, Wayne Shipley,werefellow R/O's The F-89 D model carried 102 air to air missles in wing pods at the end of each wing. It was a stable aircraft with good reliability and could operate nicely in the worst weather. The radar supposedly had a 35 mile range, but most of the birds couldn't see that far The F-89 always brought me home safe and sound.
If anyone out there was in the 460th flying the F-89 out of Portland in 1957 and 1958, send me an e-mail, I'd like to hear from you.

Flew the C,D,H & J. Total F-89 flying time: 1,000 hours and 20 minutes. (My one flight in the C was ferrying from Kenross AFB to Madison, Wisconson.) All at Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan 1956-1959 and Ladd AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska from 1959-1960. After that I flew the F-101B Voodoo, the F-4C,D,& E, the F-106,& the F15 Eagle. Loved them all.

I was at Griffiss from 4-56 til 7-59. I spent many hours in the hell hole on d h and j models. I was an a/c mechanic on a periodical inspection dock. Great plane with a lot of fire power My grandson is an avionic tech. and he is getting a ride in an f-16 this pm at nellis.

FLEW AS A R.O IN THE 465TH FIS AT GRIFFISS AIR FORCE BASE FROM FEBRUARY 56 TO OCTOBER 58. HAD OVER 1,000 HOURS IN THE BCK SEAT. FLEW IN F-89D,H, AND J. PRIOR TO GOING TO PILOT TRAINING IN OCTOBER 58. VERY STEADY IN WEATHER. COULD SLOW DOWN IMMEDIATELY WITH THE DECELERONS USED AS SPEED BREAKS ENGINES SO CLOSE TO THE GROUND IT WAS A GREAT VACUUM CLEANER. HAD TO USE BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ENGINES SCREENS TO KEEP THE F.O.D. OUT OF THE ENGINES.

Checked out in F89D at Goose in May '55. Flew untilJune '56 and the 89J as we transitioned from F94C to F89J at Bunker Hill AFB, IN in July '57. 89 was a steady firing platform and steady in all weather especially when viz and ceiling went to nothing and we had to get down on the Goose. It was terribly underpowered (7,000 lbs thrust per engine and weighing 46,000 lbs.) It wallowed once you got much above 35,000. A reliable ship and easy to fly! Sure could slow down with the massive decclerons (split ailerons)!

I was an engine mechanic with the Black Knights, 57th Fighter-Interceptor Sq. at Keflavic, Iceland - 1956-57. The F-89D was definitely an all-weather aircraft.

I was stationed at Otis AFB from May 1954 to Sept.1959 my Squadron was the 58th FIS.The first aircraft I can remember working on was the F89D.My job was as an aircraft mechanic and I can truthfully say it was a delight to work the F89s.The aircraft performed well and to my knowledge it was easy to keep in commission. I was fortunate to work the F89H & F89Js. I was the Crew Chief on A/C 474 which I watched perform at a airshow at Otis. I can still see it approaching for a speed run. Lifting the nose to the heavens going straight up and flipping over into numerous barrel rolls. The best part was that when it returned to the base everything was operating perfectly. What an Aircraft.I'm still proud of it.
Sincerely
Ronald E.Hutchison

I flew the F-89A, B, C, and D. It was a forgiving aircraft with deceleron speed control unmatched. The pilot could visually check main gear down. It was stable in gunnery passes. And it survived Arctic climates.