This aircraft was used from 1948 to 1962 by two allied countries. It had unswept wings, a single seat, and two engines and was one of the primary single-seat fighters during the Korean War . The first version of this aircraft made its maiden flight on the 11th January 1947 and after some structural problems were resolved, an order for 56 craft was placed in May, 1947. It was subsequently replaced by redesigned versions -2, -3 and -4. Production ended in September 1953 after a total of 895 aircraft were delivered.
This aircraft served during the Korean War, and due to its good performance at high altitude, it initially proved its worth as an escort for long-range USAF bomber formations. As the war progressed, it was primarily assigned to ground attack missions. This aircraft had limited exposure to hostile enemy aircraft, and consequently, it scored no victories nor suffer any losses in air-to-air combat.
In 1951, another country expressed interest in obtaining this aircraft, but due to fiscal wrangling, the purchase was not approved until after production had shut down in 1953. The country was forced to acquire second-hand aircraft and the increasingly obsolescent aircraft became too expensive to maintain. The laircraft was retired without replacement in September 1962.
Name this aircraft. Answer by PM only. Do not answer " Was It " or with a question mark. No changing of an answer after your original submission. Any answer submitted after 1200 hrs E.S.T on the day the answer will post will not count. Answer will post on 01/28/07 at 1200 hrs E.S.T.