F-89 Scorpion

F-89 General Information:  The F-89 Scorpion...

See a great web site on the 57FIS maintained by Baldur Sveinsson, an Icelander and aviation buff, at  http://pluto.verslo.is/baldur/57th_fis/57th.htm

Bill on the wing during his tour with the 57th FIS (Fighter Interceptor Squadron) "Black Knights" of Iceland.  This was the basis for the color scheme for the museum P-51D, Val-Halla.  Colors chosen to honor early cold war air defenders of  Iceland -- P-51's from the Nevada Air National Guard.  This F-89D, Scorpion, carried 104 2.75" Mighty Mouse Air to Air rockets and was used to intercept Soviet bombers over the North Sea.  Bill believes he was the first to give the "Tom Cruise/Top Gun" hand signal alongside a hostile Soviet aircraft -- a Bear Bomber.  Bill also flew F-89J with two MB-1 "Genie" nuclear tipped air to air missiles, over Northern California in the mid to late '50's.  In the back seat is Bill's Radar Observer and old friend, Col John Neese.