Topgun Demon Drivers by Mark Karvon

The Demon had a reputation for being somewhat underpowered. Nevertheless, the type gave good front-line service with the US Navy carrier fleet for 8 years as the first true all-weather missile interceptor. The Demon had excellent flying characteristics and was very maneuverable. LCDR Harry Milner says the F3H could be a respectable foe once most of the fuel was burned off and the airplane got into fighting weight. He writes, “The F-8s used to have a hammer head stall maneuver to lose interceptors. They would go straight up in burner then turn around and come straight don when they ran out. Well, we’d wait for them and catch them on the way back and follow them down the hill. That was a real education for F-8 drivers who weren’t knowledgeable about the F3H.” The F3H capabilities were also proven in 1959 when the VF-41 “Black Aces” distinguished themselves by winning the Topgun award in the air-to-air, all weather class at that year’s Naval Air Weapons Meet.

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Prints are signed by the artist and feature an extra 1" border to allow for matting and framing.