Spring cleaning at the airpark Published April 28, 2009 By 'Doc' Warner 7th Bomb Wing historian DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Spring cleaning at Dyess means more than just cleaning the office, it includes the airpark too. Most people have seen the projects at the static displays at the airpark, and there are quite a few more to come. This wouldn't have been possible without the help of some of our best Airmen. One of those Airmen is Tech. Sgt. Carol Cannady from the 7th Maintenance Operations Squadron. She recently called to ask what she could do to help out, and of course we can use any volunteer help. I asked if she could paint? Her answer was she could put together a team and help the airpark out. So I let her know I had some orange paint and an Ugly Duckling F-89 Scorpion that could use some work. She and her team jumped at the challenge, and a few days later, a few hours of work and that Ugly Duckling now looks really great! That bright orange really can't be missed as you drive down Arnold Blvd. The F-89 Scorpion was one of most heavily armed fighter aircraft ever built .It was the first multi-seat all weather-jet interceptor and was the first aircraft designed for the Air Force to carry all- rocket armament. The F-89 helped the Air Defense Command to protect our skies during the period when Soviet Intercontinental bombers first became a real threat to U.S. Soil. The Scorpion never fired a shot in anger, but it was a major deterrent against attack during the Cold War. Thanks to Sergeant Cannady and crew for helping preserve our Air Force heritage. Statistics Built by: Northrop Aircraft Crew: Pilot and Radar Operator Cruising Speed: 523 MPH Ceiling: 49,200 feet Range: 1,370 miles Armament: 52-2.75 inch folding fin rockets, AIM-4 Falcon missiles, and 2 AIR-2A Genie air to air rockets with nuclear warheads (Editors note: Richard "Doc" Warner is the 7th Bomb Wing historian and is the curator of the Dyess Airpark. For more information on how to help in airpark restoration projects call Mr. Warner at 793-2199.)