The F-94C Starfire of Memorial Park Fame

Paul Lundgren Jul 22, 2013 3 Comments

minn-ang-starfire

The relic in the photo above is a Lockheed F-94C Starfire. It was on display at Memorial Park in West Duluth from May 1960 until October 1996 (photo of its removal above). It is not the same airplane that is currently displayed in the parking lot of American Legion Post 71.

The Starfire was transferred by North Dakota air guardsmen from Memorial Park to Fargo, N.D., to join a permanent display of all aircraft flown by the Fargo guardsmen.

The radar-equipped, all-weather, fighter-interceptor aircraft was built by Lockheed in 1951 and served in the eastern United States and Montana before being flown by the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. It never fired a rocket in anger and never served overseas.

The Starfire was indeed the property of the West Duluth American Legion, but when it left Memorial Park the Fargo Air National Guard assisted in finding a replacement aircraft. The plane now on display at the American Legion is a Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, built in 1956.

Here is another shot of the Starfire, taken by Roger Nesje in August 1985:

Starfire by Roger Nesje - Aug 1985

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3 Comments

Paul Lundgren

about 11 years ago 



And let's face it, there wasn't room in this town for that Starfire in 1996 once this Starfire arrived in town, four years earlier.

Rick Maki

about 6 years ago 

I have a photo taken by my dad in about 1959 of the F94c in Duluth. 
Cheers Rick Maki
Canmore Canada

Heiko

about 6 years ago 

My great grandfather was the one that put that up...Built the base etc... If I remember correctly it was bought for a buck I believe...

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