This week in Edwards history Published Aug. 17, 2017 By 412th Test Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- On Aug. 16, 1948, the XF-89 Scorpion made its first flight, flown by Northrop test pilot Fred C. Bretcher. The twin-jet night fighter was selected by the Air Force after a fly-off with the XF-87 and the Navy’s Douglas XF3D-1 Skyknight because of its potential for development.