The FH-1 was the United States Navy’s first jet fighter. It introduced the Navy to jet propulsion and was the first jet aircraft to fly onto and from an aircraft carrier. However, they were quickly replaced by better aeroplanes.

The United States Navy became interest in jet propulsion at the beginning of 1943 and the then little known company of McDonnell was asked to develop a jet fighter because other suppliers were involved in more important work for the Navy.

Design started in late 1943 and the first prototype flew on 26 January 1945.

A contract for 100 FH-1s was awarded but production was cut back to 60 with the end of World War II and delivery began in 1947.

It was the first fighter to fly from a carrier but it was replaced by higher performance fighters within two years.

This model represents 11793, a standard production aeroplane.

MPM 1/72 kit.  Completed in March 1996.