McDonnell Aircraft Company built two XF-88s to demonstrate the impressive capabilities of their sleek design in a competition for a USAAF long-range jetfighter.

Over 10 days in the summer of 1950, one XF-88 participated in a "fly-off" with two competing aircraft. Although the Air Force ranked the XF-88 highest of the three aircraft, the onset of the Korean War forced officials to cancel procurement of any new aircraft.

The McDonnell Aircraft XF-88 experimental jet fighter completed its first flight from the dry lake runway at Muroc, Calif., with test pilot Bob Edholm at the controls.

Only two XF-88s were built and tested. Development continued, however, and the XF-88 design evolved into the successful F-101 Voodoo.