Appendix III
This appendix gives details of most of the British and American naval aircraft developed in the period 1945 to 1955. Within each section, the aircraft are listed in order of their first flight to give a sense of the rate of progress made at the time. In most cases, the performance figures given are intended only as a guide as parameters such as maximum speed and range may well have been reduced in operational configurations. Dimensions are given to the nearest inch.
ROYAL NAVY PROPELLOR-DRIVEN AIRCRAFT
Fighters/Fighter-bombers
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.4
Two-seat piston engine fighter reconnaissance
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Griffon 74, 2,245 hp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; provision for two 1,000 lb bombs or sixteen 60 lb warhead rocket projectiles |
Max speed: |
367 mph at 14,000 ft |
Range: |
760 miles (1,335 miles with two 90-gal auxiliary tanks) |
Climb: |
7 min 9 sec to 10,000 ft |
Service ceiling: |
31,900 ft |
Span: |
41 ft 2 in (13 ft 6 in folded) |
Length: |
38 ft |
Height: |
12 ft 4 in |
Empty weight: |
9,674 lb |
Loaded weight: |
13,479 lb (15,615 lb max overload) |
First flew 1944. Total of 591 Mks 4/5/6 delivered. In service 1947-58.
Supermarine Seafire F.XVII
Single-seat piston engine fighter
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Griffon VI, 1,850 hp |
Armament: |
Two 20 mm Hispano cannon; four 0.303-in machine-guns; one 500 lb or two 250 lb bombs; provision for eight 60 lb rocket projectiles. |
Max speed: |
387 mph at 13,500 ft |
Range: |
435 miles |
Max rate of climb: |
4,600 ft/min at sea level |
Service ceiling: |
35,200 ft |
Span: |
36 ft 10 in |
Length: |
32 ft 3 in |
Height: |
10 ft 8 in |
Empty weight: |
6,200 lb |
Loaded weight: |
8,000 lb |
232 built under sub contract by Westland and Cunliffe-Owen. In service 1945-54.
Hawker Sea Fury FB.Mk.11
Single-seat piston engine fighter-bomber
Power: |
One Bristol Centaurus 18 air-cooled radial engine, 2,480 hp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; provision for two 1,000 lb bombs or twelve 3-in rocket projectiles |
Max speed: |
460 mph at 18,000 ft |
Range: |
700 miles (1,040 miles with two 90-gal drop tanks) |
Climb: |
10.8 min to 30,000 ft |
Service ceiling: |
35,800 ft |
Span: |
38 ft 5 in |
Length: |
34 ft 8 in |
Height: |
15 ft 10 in |
Empty weight: |
9,240 lb |
Loaded weight: |
12,500 lb |
First flew February 1945. 615 delivered to the Royal Navy including 50 F.Mk.10s and 60 T.Mk.20s. Also served with Australian and Canadian Navies.
De Havilland DH.103 Sea Hornet F.Mk.20
Single-seat twin piston engine fighter-bomber
Power: |
Two 2,030 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 130/131 or 134/135 |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; provision for two 1,000 lb bombs |
Max speed: |
467 mph at 22,000 ft |
Range: |
1,500 miles |
Max rate of climb: |
4,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
35,000 ft |
Span: |
45 ft 0 in |
Length: |
36 ft 9 in |
Height: |
13 ft 0 in |
Empty weight: |
13,300 lb |
Loaded weight: |
18,530 lb |
First flew 19 April 1945. 198 of all versions (F.Mk.20, NF.Mk.21, PR.Mk.22) delivered to the Royal Navy. In service 1946-55.
Supermarine Seafang 32
Single-seat piston engine fighter
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Griffon 89, 2,375 hp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; provision for two 1,000 lb bombs or four 300 lb rocket projectiles |
Max speed: |
475 mph at 21,000 ft |
Range: |
393 miles |
Max rate of climb: |
4,630 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
41,000 ft |
Span: |
35 ft |
Length: |
34 ft 1 in |
Height: |
12 ft 6 in |
Empty weight: |
8,000 lb |
Loaded weight: |
10,450 lb |
First flew January 1946. Ten Seafang 31s and eight Seafang 32s completed. Not used operationally.
Supermarine Seafire FR.47
Single-seat piston engine fighter
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Griffon 87 or 88, 2,350 hp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; three 500 lb or 250 lb bombs; provision for eight 60 lb rocket projectiles or two Mk.IX depth charges |
Max speed: |
451 mph at 20,000 ft |
Range: |
405 miles (1,000 miles with additional tanks) |
Max rate of climb: |
4,800 ft/min at sea level |
Service ceiling: |
43,100 ft |
Span: |
36 ft 11 in |
Length: |
34 ft 4 in |
Height: |
12 ft 9 in |
Empty weight: |
7,625 lb |
Loaded weight: |
10,200 lb (12,750 lb max overload) |
90 built by Vickers at South Marston. In service 1947-52.
Attack and Strike Aircraft
Blackburn Firebrand TF.Mk.5
Single-seat piston engine torpedo bomber
Power: |
One Bristol Centaurus IX air-cooled radial engine, 2,520 hp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; provision for one 1,850 lb 18-in torpedo, or two 1,000 lb bombs or sixteen 3-in rocket projectiles |
Max speed: |
340 mph at 13,000 ft (320 mph with torpedo) |
Range: |
740 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,500 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
31,000 ft |
Span: |
51 ft 3 in (folded 16 ft 10 in) |
Length: |
38 ft 9 in |
Height: |
13 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
11,835 lb |
Loaded weight: |
17,500 lb |
First flew May 1945 (TF.Mk.4). 220 Firebrands of all variants built. In service 1945-53
Fairey Spearfish
Two-seat piston engine naval strike aircraft
Power: |
One Bristol Centaurus air-cooled radial engine, 2,600 hp |
Armament: |
Two fixed wing-mounted Browning 0.5-in machine-guns; two 0.5-in machineguns in a remotely controlled Frazer-Nash 95 barbette; internal bomb bay capable of accommodating one torpedo, or one 2,000 lb or four 500 lb bombs, or four depth charges; sixteen 60 lb rockets on underwing zero-length launchers |
Max speed: |
292 mph at 14,000 ft |
Range: |
1,036 miles |
Climb: |
7 min 45 sec to 10,000 ft |
Service ceiling: |
25,000 ft |
Span: |
60 ft 3 in (20 ft folded) |
Length: |
44 ft 7 in |
Height: |
13 ft 6 in |
Empty weights: |
15,200 lb |
Loaded weight: |
21,642 lb (22,083 lb max overload) |
First flew 5 July 1945. Two prototypes tested. Third aircraft completed but not flown.
Westland Wyvern S.4
Single-seat turboprop torpedo strike aircraft
Power: |
One Armstrong Siddeley Python A.S.P.3., 4,110 ehp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm Hispano cannon; provision for one 18-in torpedo, or three 1,000 lb bombs or sixteen 60 lb warhead rocket projectiles |
Max speed: |
383 mph at sea level |
Range: |
704 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,350 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
28,000 ft |
Span: |
44 ft (20 ft folded) |
Length: |
42 ft 3 in |
Height: |
15 ft 8 in |
Empty weight: |
15,600 lb |
Loaded weight: |
21,200 lb (24,500 lb max overload) |
Prototype TF.1 flew 12 December 1946. 97 production S.4s delivered. In service 1953-7.
Blackburn B-48 Firecrest
Single-seat piston engine torpedo bomber
Power: |
One Bristol Centaurus 59 air-cooled radial engine, 2,475 hp |
Armament: |
Provision for one 1,850 lb 18-in torpedo, or two 500 lb bombs or twelve 3-in rocket projectiles or two 0.5-in machine-guns in underwing pods |
Max speed: |
380 mph at 19,000 ft |
Range: |
900 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,500 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
31,600 ft |
Span: |
44 ft 1 in (folded 18 ft 0 in) |
Length: |
39 ft 3 in |
Height: |
14 ft 6 in |
Empty weight: |
10,513 lb |
Loaded weight: |
15,280 lb |
First flew April 1947. Three prototypes, of which only two were flown.
Anti-submarine
Fairey Gannet AS.1
Three-seat turboprop torpedo anti-submarine patrol aircraft
Power: |
One Armstrong Siddeley Double Mamba 100 turboprop, 2,950 ehp |
Armament: |
Two homing torpedoes and three depth charges, or 2,000 lb of bombs in internal bomb bay; sixteen 60 lb rocket projectiles on underwing racks |
Max speed: |
310 mph at sea level |
Range: |
662 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
1,900 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
25,000 ft |
Span: |
54 ft 4 in |
Length: |
43 ft |
Height: |
13 ft 8 in |
Empty weight: |
15,069 lb |
Loaded weight: |
19,600 lb |
Prototype flew 10 September 1949. 348 Gannets of all versions delivered, including some for export and 44 AEW.3s. In RN service 1954-60 (ASW variants).
Fairey Firefly AS.Mk.7
Three-seat piston engine anti-submarine patrol
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Griffon 59, 1,965 hp |
Armament: |
No offensive armament carried |
Max speed: |
300 mph at 10,750 ft |
Range: |
860 miles |
Climb: |
1,550 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
25,500 ft |
Span: |
44 ft 6in |
Length: |
38 ft 3 in |
Height: |
13 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
11,016 lb |
Loaded weight: |
13,970 lb |
First flew 22 May 1951. Total of 151 delivered. In service 1952–7. |
UNITED STATES PROPELLER DRIVEN AIRCRAFT
Fighters/Fighter-bombers
Grumman F7F-4N
Two-seat twin-engined piston engine fighter
Power: |
Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W air-cooled radial engines, 2,100 hp each |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; provision for one 2000 lb bomb or one Mk.13 torpedo on a centreline rack, or two 1,000 lb bombs on inboard underwing racks, or eight 250 lb bombs or 5-in HVAR rockets on outboard underwing racks |
Max speed: |
436 mph at 24,500 ft |
Range: |
1,360 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
4,100 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
37,600 ft |
Span: |
51 ft 6 in (folded 32 ft 2 in) |
Length: |
46 ft 9 in |
Height: |
16 ft 4 in |
Empty weight: |
16,954 lb |
Loaded weight: |
21,960 lb |
Prototype XF7F-1 first flew 3 November 1943. A total of 364 Tigercats were delivered, including 13 F7F-4Ns, the final production version. In service (all combat variants) 1944-53.
Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat
Single-seat piston engine fighter/fighter-bomber
Power: |
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W air-cooled radial engine, 2,000 hp |
Armament: |
Six 0.5-in machine-guns; provision for two 1,000 lb bombs or six 5-in rockets |
Max speed: |
386 mph at 17,300 ft |
Range: |
1,040 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
3,410 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
37,300 ft |
Span: |
42 ft 10 in |
Length: |
33 ft 7 in |
Height: |
13 ft 1 in |
Empty weight: |
9,042 lb |
Loaded weight: |
11,381 lb |
First flew 4 April 1944. 6,436 F6F-5s built and total of 12,272 Hellcats of all versions. In service (all versions) 1943-54.
Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat
Single-seat piston engine interceptor fighter
Power: |
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W air-cooled radial engine, 2,100 hp |
Armament: |
Four 0.5-in machine-guns (four 20 mm cannon in F8F-1B); provision for two 1,000 lb bombs |
Max speed: |
434 mph at 20,000 ft |
Range: |
1,105 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
4,570 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
38,700 ft |
Span: |
35 ft 10 in |
Length: |
28 ft 3 in |
Height: |
13 ft 10 in |
Empty weights: |
7,070 lb |
Loaded weight: |
12,950 lb |
First flew 21 August 1944. 1,263 of all versions produced. In service (all versions) 1945-53.
Boeing XF8B-1
Single-seat piston engine long-range fighter and attack aircraft
Power: |
Pratt & Whitney R-4360-10 air-cooled radial engine, 3,000 hp |
Armament: |
Six 20 mm cannon or 0.5-in machineguns; four 500 lb or two 1,600 lb bombs or two torpedoes in internal bomb bay; |
two 1,600/1,000/500 lb bombs on underwing racks |
|
Max speed: |
432 mph at 26,900 ft |
Range: |
1,305 miles (maximum over 3,000 miles with auxiliary tanks) |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,880 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
37,500 ft |
Span: |
54 ft 0 in |
Length: |
43 ft 3 in |
Height: |
16 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
13,519 lb |
Loaded weight: |
21,691 lb |
First flew 27 November 1944. Three prototypes only.
Goodyear F2G-2
Single-seat piston engine low-altitude fighter-bomber
Power: |
Pratt & Whitney R-4360-4 air-cooled radial engine, 3,000 hp |
Armament: |
Four 0.5-in machine-guns; provision for two 1,600 or 1,000 lb bombs, or eight 5-in rockets |
Max speed: |
431 mph at 16,400 ft |
Range: |
1,190 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
4,400 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
38,800 ft |
Span: |
41 ft 0 in |
Length: |
33 ft 9 in |
Height: |
16 ft 1 in |
Empty weight: |
10,249 lb |
Loaded weight: |
15,442 lb (max) |
First flight early 1945. Production totalled five F2G-1s and five F2G-2s.
Vought F4U-5 Corsair
Single-seat piston engine fighter-bomber
Power: |
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32W air-cooled radial engine, 2,300 hp |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; provision for two 1,000 lb bombs |
Max speed: |
470 mph at 26,800 ft |
Range: |
1,120 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
3,780 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
41,400 ft |
Span: |
41 ft 0 in |
Length: |
33 ft 6 in |
Height: |
14 ft 9 in |
Empty weight: |
9,683 lb |
Loaded weight: |
14,106 lb |
First F4U-5 flew 1946. Production consisted of 223 F4U-5s, 315 F-4U-5N night fighters and 30 F4U-5Ps. In service (all Corsair variants) 1942-57.
Attack and Strike Aircraft
Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver
Two-seat single piston engine dive bomber
Power: |
One Wright R-3350-14 air-cooled radial engine, 2,300 hp |
Armament: |
Two wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; two 1,600 lb bombs in internal bomb bay, plus two 500 lb bombs on underwing racks or two 2,100 lb torpedoes |
Max speed: |
344 mph at 16,100 ft |
Range: |
1,480 miles (2,140 miles max) |
Initial rate of climb: |
1,650 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
23,600 ft |
Span: |
45 ft |
Length: |
38 ft 7 in |
Height: |
16 ft 7 in |
Empty weight: |
12,900 lb |
Loaded weight: |
18,140 lb (19,000 lb maximum) |
Prototype XSB2C-1 first flew on 18 December 1940. A total of 5,399 Helldivers built, including 1,294 produced in Canada. In service (all combat variants - US Navy) 1943-9.
Grumman (Eastern Aircraft) TBM-3E Avenger
Three-seat single-engine torpedo bomber
Power: |
One Wright R-2600-20 air-cooled radial engine, 1,900 hp |
Armament: |
Two wing-mounted 0.5-in machine-guns; one 0.5-in machine-gun in a dorsal turret; one 0.3-in machine-gun in a ventral mounting; one torpedo or 2,000 lb of bombs in internal bomb bay; provision for eight 5-in rockets carried underwing |
Max speed: |
276 mph at 16,500 ft |
Range: |
1,010 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,060 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
30,000 ft |
Span: |
54 ft 2 in (folded 19 ft 0 in) |
Length: |
41 ft 0 in |
Height: |
16 ft 5 in |
Empty weight: |
10,545 lb |
Loaded weight: |
17,895 lb (max) |
Prototype XTBF-1 first flew on 1 August 1941. A total of 9,839 Avengers built by Grumman and Eastern. In service (all combat variants - US Navy) 1942-54.
Douglas BTD-1 Destroyer
Single-seat single piston engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Wright R-2600-20 air-cooled radial engine, 1,900 hp |
Armament: |
Two wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; two 0.3-in machine-guns in rear cockpit; 1,000 lb of bombs in internal bomb bay; two 500 lb bombs or eight 5-in rockets on underwing racks |
Max speed: |
295 mph at 16,700 ft |
Range: |
1,165 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
1,800 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
29,100 ft |
Span: |
49 ft 9 in |
Length: |
36 ft 8 in |
Height: |
13 ft 2 in |
Empty weight: |
10,545 lb |
Loaded weight: |
16,616 lb |
Developed from two-seat XSB2D-1, which flew on 8 April 1943. First single-seat BTD-1 flew on 5 March 1944. 27 built, not used operationally.
Martin AM-1 Mauler
Single-seat single piston engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney R-3350-4 radial engine, 2,975 hp |
Armament: |
Four wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; normally up to 5,000 lb of bombs, torpedoes or rockets on underwing hardpoints (maximum ordnance load of 10,689 lb demonstrated) |
Max speed: |
367 mph at 11,600 ft |
Range: |
1,800 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,780 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
30,500 ft |
Span: |
50 ft |
Length: |
41 ft 2 in |
Height: |
16 ft 10 in |
Empty weight: |
14,500 lb |
Loaded weight: |
23,386 lb |
First flight on 26 August 1944. 151 built. In service 1948-52.
Douglas XTB2D-1 Skypirate
Three/four-seat single piston engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-8 aircooled radial engine, 3,000 hp |
Armament: |
Four wing-mounted 0.5-in machine-guns; two 0.5-in machine-guns in dorsal turret; one 0.5-in machine-gun in ventral mounting; up to 8,400 lb of bombs, torpedoes or depth charges on underwing racks |
Max speed: |
340 mph at 15,600 ft |
Range: |
1,250 miles (2,880 miles max) |
Initial rate of climb: |
1,390 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
24,500 ft |
Span: |
70 ft |
Length: |
46 ft |
Height: |
22 ft 7 in |
Empty weight: |
18,405 lb |
Loaded weight: |
28,545 lb (34,750 lb max) |
First flight on 13 March 1945. Single prototype only, production orders cancelled late 1945.
Douglas AD-4 Skyraider
Single-seat single piston engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney R-3350-26WA radial engine, 2,700 hp |
Armament: |
Two or four wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; normally up to 8,000 lb of bombs, torpedoes or rockets on underwing hardpoints (max ordnance load of 10,500 lb demonstrated) |
Max speed: |
320 mph at 15,000 ft |
Range: |
900 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,980 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
23,800 ft |
Span: |
50 ft |
Length: |
39 ft 3 in |
Height: |
15ft 8 in |
Empty weight: |
11,783 lb |
Loaded weight: |
24,221 lb (max) |
Prototype flew as XBT2D-1 on 18 March 1945. Subsequently redesignated AD. 3,180 delivered bewteen 1945 and 1957. In US Navy service 1946-71.
Kaiser Fleetwings XBTK-1
Single-seat single piston engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W radial engine, 2,100 hp |
Armament: |
Two wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; up to 5,000 lb of bombs, or one torpedo and eight 5-in rockets |
Max speed: |
342 mph at sea level |
Range: |
1,250 miles |
Service ceiling: |
33,400 ft |
Span: |
48 ft 8 in |
Length: |
38 ft 11 in |
Empty weight: |
9,959 lb |
Loaded weight: |
12,728 lb (normal) |
First flight in April 1945. Two prototypes flown.
Curtiss XBTC-2
Single-seat single piston engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-8 air-cooled radial engine, 3,000 hp |
Armament: |
Four wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; two 1,000 lb bombs or one torpedo |
Max speed: |
374 mph at 16,000 ft |
Range: |
1,835 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,250 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
26,200 ft |
Span: |
50 ft |
Length: |
39 ft |
Height: |
12 ft 11 in |
Empty weight: |
13,410 lb |
Loaded weight: |
21,660 lb (max) |
First flight in July 1946. Two prototypes only.
Lockheed P2V-3 Neptune
Multi-crew twin-engined strategic bomber
Power: |
Two Wright R-3350-26W air-cooled radial engines, each 3,200 hp |
Armament: |
Up to 10,000 lb of bombs including Mk.1 14-kiloton atomic bomb |
Max speed: |
337 mph at 13,000 ft |
Range: |
3,930 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
1,060 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
28,000 ft |
Span: |
100 ft |
Length: |
77 ft 10 in |
Height: |
28 ft 1 in |
Empty weight: |
34,875 lb |
Loaded weight: |
64,100 lb (max) |
First P2V-3 flew on 6 August 1948. Twelve aircraft converted as P2V-3Cs for operation from carriers used rocket-assisted take-off.
Douglas XA2D-1 Skyshark
Single-seat turboprop engine attack bomber
Power: |
One Allison XT40-A-2 twin turboprop, 5,100 shp |
Armament: |
Four wing-mounted 20 mm cannon; normally up to 5,500 lb of bombs, torpedoes or rockets on underwing hardpoints |
Max speed: |
501 mph at 25,000 ft |
Range: |
2,200 miles (max) |
Initial rate of climb: |
7,290 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
48,100 ft |
Span: |
50 ft |
Length: |
41 ft 2 in |
Height: |
17 ft |
Empty weight: |
12,944 lb |
Loaded weight: |
22,966 lb (max) |
First flight on 26 May 1950. Two prototypes and ten production aircraft (four not flown). No operational service.
Anti-submarine
Grumman AF-2S Guardian
Three-seat single piston engine anti-submarine patrol aircraft
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney R-2800-46W air-cooled radial engine, 2,300 hp |
Armament: |
One homing torpedo in bomb bay and/or four 500 lb bombs, or four Mk.54 depth charges, or six 5-in HVAR rockets on underwing racks |
Max speed: |
275 mph at 4,000 ft |
Range: |
1,140 miles (max) |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,300 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
22,900 ft |
Span: |
60 ft (24 ft folded) |
Length: |
42 ft 1 in |
Height: |
13 ft 2 in |
Empty weight: |
14,658 lb |
Loaded weight: |
22,565 lb (max) |
First flew in November 1948 as XTB3F-1. AF-2W similar but carried search radar and no armament. 389 Guardians built, including three XTB3F-1 protypes. In service 1950-57.
Grumman S2F-1 Tracker
Four-seat twin piston engine anti-submarine patrol aircraft
Power: |
Two Wright R-1820-82 air-cooled radial engines, each 1,525 hp |
Armament: |
Two homing torpedoes or one Mk.24 mine in ventral bomb bay; either four Mk.19 mines, four Mk.43 torpedoes, four Mk.54 depth charges, or six HVAR 5-in rockets on underwing racks |
Max speed: |
272 mph at 3,000 ft |
Range: |
968 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
2,330 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
22,800 ft |
Span: |
69 ft 8 in (27 ft 4 in folded) |
Length: |
42 ft |
Height: |
16 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
17,355 lb |
Loaded weight: |
24,408 lb (max) |
First flight on 4 December 1952. 1,269 S2Fs produced, including 100 built in Canada. In US Navy service 1954-76 (ASW variants).
VTOL Prototypes
Lockheed XFV-1
Experimental turboprop vertical take-off fighter
Power: |
One Allison XT40-A-6 double turboprop, 5,850 ehp |
Armament: |
Proposals for either four 20 mm cannon or 48 2.75-in FFAR rockets |
Max speed: |
610 mph at 15,000 ft |
Climb: |
Up to 30,000 ft in 4.6 min |
Service ceiling: |
43,700 ft |
Span: |
25 ft 8 in |
Length: |
30 ft 9 in |
Empty weight: |
11,600 lb |
Loaded weight: |
16,220 lb |
Single prototype - first flight in conventional mode on 16 June 1954. No vertical take-offs or landings completed, although inflight hovers achieved. Programme cancelled in June 1955.
Convair XFY-1
Experimental turboprop vertical take-off fighter
Power: |
One Allison XT40-A-6 double turboprop, 5,850 ehp |
Armament: |
Proposals for either four 20 mm cannon or 48 2.75-in FFAR rockets |
Estimated Performance with more powerful YT40 engine: |
|
Max speed: |
580 mph at 15,000 ft |
Endurance: |
70 min |
Initial rate of climb: |
10,280 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
43,300 ft |
Span: |
30 ft 10 in |
Length: |
36 ft 10 in |
Loaded weight: |
c.11,000 lb |
Single prototype. First free flight involving vertical take-off and landing, and transition to horizontal flight, made in November 1954. Programme cancelled in 1956.
ROYAL NAVY JET AIRCRAFT
Fighters/Fighter-bombers
De Havilland Sea Vampire F.Mk.20
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One de Havilland Goblin 2 turbojet, 3,000 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
526 mph |
Range: |
1,145 miles (max) |
Initial rate of climb: |
4,300 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
43,000 ft |
Span: |
38 ft (non-folding wings) |
Length: |
30 ft 9 in |
Height: |
8 ft 10 in |
Empty weight: |
7,623 lb |
Loaded weight: |
11,970 lb |
Prototype Vampire flew on 29 September 1943. 18 production Sea Vampire F.Mk.20s and three F.Mk.21s. In service 1948-53.
Supermarine Attacker F.Mk.1
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Nene 3 turbojet, 5,100 lb st |
Armament: |
Four wing-mounted 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
590 mph at sea level |
Range: |
1,190 miles (with ventral tank) |
Initial rate of climb: |
6,350 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
45,000 ft |
Span: |
36 ft 11 in |
Length: |
37 ft 6 in |
Height: |
9 ft 11 in |
Empty weight: |
8,434 lb |
Loaded weight: |
11,500 lb |
Prototype flew on 27 July 1946. 3 prototypes and 145 production aircaft (F.1, FB.1 and FB.2) In service 1951-7.
Hawker Sea Hawk F.Mk.1
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Nene 4 turbojet, 5,000 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
560 mph |
Range: |
1,000 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
5,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
44,000 ft |
Span: |
39 ft (13 ft 4 in folded) |
Length: |
39 ft 10 in |
Height: |
8 ft 9 in |
Empty weight: |
9,190 lb |
Loaded weight: |
13,220 lb |
Prototype Hawker P.1040 first flew on 2 September 1947. 525 Seahawks of all variants produced. In Royal Navy service 1953-60.
Hawker P.1052
Single-seat swept wing research aircraft
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Nene 2 turbojet, 5,000 lb st |
Armament: |
None fitted |
Max speed: |
680 mph at sea level |
Climb: |
9 min 30 sec to 35,000 ft |
Service ceiling: |
45,500 ft |
Span: |
31 ft 6 in |
Length: |
39 ft 7 in |
Height: |
10 ft 6 in |
Empty weight: |
9,450 lb |
Loaded weight: |
13,448 lb |
Swept wing development of P.1040 Seahawk. First of two prototypes flew on 19 November 1948. Carrier trials carried out but not developed for service use.
Supermarine Type 510
Single-seat swept wing jet fighter
Power: |
One Rolls-Royce Nene 2 turbojet, 5,000 lb st |
Armament: |
None fitted |
Max speed: |
635 mph at 15,000 ft |
Service ceiling: |
40,000 ft |
Span: |
31 ft 8 in |
Length: |
38 ft 1 in |
Height: |
8 ft 10 in |
Max loaded weight: |
12,790 lb |
First of two prototypes flew on 29 December 1948. Subsequently first swept wing aircraft to land on a carrier. Not developed for service use.
De Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21
Two-seat all-weather jet fighter
Power: |
One de Havilland Ghost 104 turbojet, 4,950 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
630 mph |
Range: |
1,000 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
8,760 ft/min |
Span: |
42 ft 11 in |
Length: |
36 ft 7 in |
Height: |
6 ft 6 in |
Empty weight: |
11,000 lb |
Loaded weight: |
15,800 lb (max) |
First flight on 19 April 1951. 256 Sea Venoms produced. In Royal Navy service 1954-60.
Supermarine Type 508
Single-seat twin-engined jet fighter
Power: |
Two Rolls-Royce Avon R.A.3 axial flow turbojets, each 6,500 lb st |
Armament: |
Provision for four 30 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
590 mph at sea level |
Range: |
800 miles |
Service ceiling: |
45,000 ft |
Span: |
41 ft (20 ft folded) |
Length: |
46 ft 9 in |
Height: |
11 ft 7 in |
Empty weight: |
18,000 lb |
First prototype flew on 31 August 1951. Second prototype completed as similar Type 529. Further development led to Type 525 and Scimitar (see below).
De Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen FAW.1
Two-seat all-weather twin-engined jet fighter
Power: |
Two Rolls-Royce Avon 208 axial flow turbojets, each 11,230 lb st |
Armament: |
Four Firestreak air-to-air guided missiles plus 28 2-in unguided rockets; two 1,000 lb bombs instead of missiles |
Max speed: |
645 mph at 10,000 ft |
Initial rate of climb: |
10,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
48,000 ft |
Span: |
50 ft |
Length: |
55 ft 7 in |
Height: |
10 ft 9 in |
Loaded weight: |
36,000 lb |
DH.110 prototype flew on 26 September 1951. First navalised prototype flew on 20 June 1955. In service 1958-72.
Supermarine Type 544 Scimitar F.1
Single-seat twin-engined jet fighter-bomber
Power: |
Two Rolls-Royce Avon 202 axial flow turbojets, each 11,250 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 30 mm cannon; provision for up to 4,000 of bombs, or four Bullpup air-to-surface missiles or four Sidewinder air-to-air missiles; also capable of carrying tactical nuclear bombs |
Max speed: |
710 mph at 10,000 ft |
Range: |
1,422 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
12,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
46,000 ft |
Span: |
37 ft 2 in (20 ft 6 in folded) |
Length: |
55 ft 4 in |
Height: |
15 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
23,960 lb |
Loaded weight: |
34,200 lb (max) |
Prototype Type 525 flew on 27 April 1954. First Type 544 Scimitar flew on 20 January 1956. 76 production examples. In service 1957-66.
UNITED STATES NAVY JET AIRCRAFT
Fighters/Fighter-bombers
Ryan FR-1 Fireball
Single-seat composite-powered fighter
Power: |
One Wright R-1820-72W radial piston engine, 1,350 hp, and one General Electric J31 turbojet, 1,600 lb thrust |
Armament: |
Four 0.5-in machine-guns |
Max speed: |
404 mph (both engines) at 17,800 ft |
Service ceiling: |
43,100 ft |
Range: |
1,620 st. miles |
Span: |
40 ft 0 in |
Length: |
32 ft 4 in |
Height: |
13 ft 11 in |
Empty weight: |
7,689 lb |
Loaded weight: |
11,652 lb |
Ordered in February 1943. First flight on 25 June 1944. Three prototypes and 66 production examples built. In service 1945-7.
McDonnell FH-1 Phantom
Single-seat twin-jet fighter
Power: |
Two Westinghouse J30-WE-20 axial flow turbojets, each 1,600 lb st |
Armament: |
Four nose-mounted Browning 0.5-in machine-guns |
Max speed: |
479 mph at sea level |
Range: |
695 miles at 250 mph |
Initial rate of climb: |
4,230 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
41,000 ft |
Span: |
40 ft 9 in |
Length: |
38 ft 9 in |
Height: |
14 ft 2 in |
Empty weight: |
6,683 lb |
Loaded weight: |
12,035 lb (max) |
Prototype XFD-1 first flew on 26 January 1945. 2 prototypes and 60 production FH-1s. In service 1947-53.
Curtiss XF15C-1
Single-seat composite-powered fighter
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W radial piston engine, 2,100 hp, and one Allis- Chalmers/de Havilland H1-B Goblin turbojet, 2,700 lb thrust |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
469 mph (both engines) at 25,300 ft |
Initial climb rate: |
5,020 ft/min (both engines) |
Service ceiling: |
41,800 ft |
Range: |
1,385 miles |
Span: |
48 ft 0 in |
Length: |
44 ft 0 in |
Height: |
15 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
12,648 lb |
Loaded weight: |
16,630 lb |
Ordered in April 1944. First flight on 27 February 1945. Three prototypes built, one of which crashed in May 1945.
Chance Vought F6U-1 Pirate
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Westinghouse J34-WE-30 turbojet with afterburning. 3,150 lb dry thrust |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
596 mph at sea level |
Range (max with tip tanks): |
1,170 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
8,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
46,000 ft |
Span: |
32 ft 10 in |
Length: |
37 ft 7 in |
Height: |
12 ft 11 in |
Empty weight: |
7,320 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
12,900 lb |
Prototype XF6U-1 flew on 2 October 1946. 30 production examples used for development purposes. No operational service.
North American FJ-1 Fury
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Allison J35-A-2 turbojet, 4,000 lb st |
Armament: |
Six 0.5-in machine-guns |
Max speed: |
547 mph at 9,000 ft |
Range (ferry): |
1,500 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
3,300 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
32,000 ft |
Span: |
38 ft 2 in |
Length: |
34 ft 5 in |
Height: |
14 ft 10 in |
Empty weight: |
8,843 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
15,600 lb |
Prototype XFJ-1 flew on 27 November 1946. 3 prototypes and 30 production aircraft. Equipped world’s first fully operational carrier-based squadron. In frontline service 1948-9.
McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee
Single-seat twin jet fighter
Power: |
Two Westinghouse J34-WE-34 axial flow turbojets, each 3,250 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
532 mph at 10,000 ft |
Range: |
1,475 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
3,910 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
44,800 ft |
Span: |
44 ft 10 in |
Length: |
40 ft 2 in |
Height: |
14 ft 6 in |
Empty weight: |
11,145 lb |
Loaded weight: |
22,312 lb |
Prototype first flew on 11 January 1947 as XF2D-1. 882 Banshees delivered. In US Navy service 1948-62.
Grumman F9F-2 Panther
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney J42-P-6 turbojet, 5,000 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; up to 3,000 lb of ordnance stores |
Max speed: |
594 mph at sea level |
Range: |
1,100 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
7,700 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
43,000 ft |
Span: |
35 ft 3 in (23 ft 5 in folded) |
Length: |
37 ft 8 in |
Height: |
11 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
7,107 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
12,442 lb |
Prototype XF9F-2 flew on 24 November 1947. 1,387 Panthers produced including prototypes. In US Navy/USMC service 1949-58.
Douglas F3D-1 Skyknight
Two-seat twin jet night fighter
Power: |
Two Westinghouse J34-WE-36 turbojets, each 3,400 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
565 mph at 20,000 ft |
Range (max): |
1,540 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
4,500 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
38,200 ft |
Span: |
50 ft |
Length: |
45 ft 5 in |
Height: |
16 ft 1 in |
Empty weight: |
18,160 lb |
Loaded (max): |
27,680 lb |
Prototype XF3D-1 flew on 23 March 1948. 266 produced including three prototypes and 28 F3D-1s. In service 1951-70. Mostly used by shore-based USMC units.
Chance Vought F7U-3 Cutlass
Single-seat twin engine tailless jet fighter
Power: |
Two Westinghouse J46-WE-8A turbojets with afterburning, 4,600 lb dry thrust |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; later provision for four Sparrow air-to-air missiles |
Max speed: |
680 mph at 10,000 ft |
Range: |
660 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
13,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
40,000 ft |
Span: |
38 ft 8 in |
Length: |
44 ft 3 in |
Height: |
14 ft 7 in |
Empty weight: |
18,210 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
31,642 lb |
Prototype XF7U-1 flew on 1 March 1950. 290 of all variants produced. In US Navy service 1952-9.
Douglas F4D-1 Skyray
Single-seat jet interceptor
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-2 turbojet, 9,700 lb st (14,500 lb st with afterburning) |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; up to 4,000 lb of ordnance stores including Sidewinder air-to-air missiles |
Max speed: |
695 mph at 36,000 ft |
Range (max): |
1,200 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
18,000 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
55,000 ft |
Span: |
33 ft 6 in |
Length: |
45 ft 8 in |
Height: |
13 ft |
Empty weight: |
16,025 lb |
Loaded (max): |
25,000 lb |
Prototype XF4D-1 flew on 23 January 1951. 420 delivered. In service 1956-64. US Navy’s first fighter capable of exceeding Mach 1 in level flight.
McDonnell F3H-2 Demon
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Allison J71-A-2E turbojet, 9,700 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; later versions had provision to carry four Sidewinder air-to-air missiles or up to 6,000 lb of ordnance stores |
Max speed: |
647 mph at 30,000 ft |
Range: |
1,370 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
12,795 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
42,650 ft |
Span: |
35 ft 4 in |
Length: |
58 ft 11 in |
Height: |
14 ft 7 in |
Empty weight: |
22,133 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
33,900 lb |
Prototype flew on 7 August 1951. 515 delivered. In service 1956-64.
Grumman F9F-6 Cougar
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney J48-P-8 turbojet, 7,250 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; two 1,000 lb bombs on underwing racks |
Max speed: |
654 mph at sea level |
Range: |
932 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
6,750 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
44,600 ft |
Span: |
36 ft 5 in (14 ft 2 in folded) |
Length: |
41 ft 7 in |
Height: |
15 ft |
Empty weight: |
11,255 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
21,000 lb |
Prototype XF9F-6 flew on 20 September 1951. 1,988 Cougars produced including prototypes. In frontline US Navy service 1952-60.
North American FJ-2 Fury
Single-seat swept-wing jet fighter
Power: |
One General Electric J47-GE-2 turbojet, 6,000 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon |
Max speed: |
677 mph at sea level |
Range: |
990 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
7,230 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
41,700 ft |
Span: |
37 ft 1 in |
Length: |
37 ft 7 in |
Height: |
13 ft 7 in |
Empty weight: |
11,800 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
18,790 lb |
Naval version of F-86E Sabre. Prototype XFJ-2B flew on 27 December 1951. 1,115 FJ-2/3/4s produced. In service 1953-63.
Grumman XF10F-1 Jaguar
Single-seat variable geometry jet fighter
Power: |
One Westinghouse XJ40-WE-6, 6,800 lb dry thrust |
Armament: |
Provision for four 20 mm cannon; up to 2,000 lb of bombs or rockets on underwing racks |
Projected performance: |
|
Max speed: |
710 mph at sea level |
Range: |
1,670 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
13,350 ft/min (with afterburning) |
Service ceiling: |
45,800 ft |
Span: |
50 ft 7 in (minimum sweepback), 24 ft 9 in folded |
Length: |
54 ft 5 in |
Height: |
16 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
20,426 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
35,450 lb |
Prototype flew on 19 May 1952. Second prototype completed but not flown. Project cancelled in April 1953.
Convair XF2Y-1 Sea Dart
Single-seat twin jet seaplane fighter
Power: |
Two Westinghouse J34-WE-32 turbojets, each 3,400 lb st |
Armament: |
None fitted |
Max speed: |
690 mph at sea level |
Span: |
30 ft 6 in |
Length: |
41 ft 2 in |
Height: |
21 ft 1 in (with hydro-ski extended) |
Loaded weight: |
22,000 lb |
Prototype flew on 9 April 1953. Two XF2Y-1s and two YF2F-1s produced. Programme cancelled in 1956.
Grumman F11F-1 Tiger
Single-seat jet fighter
Power: |
One Wright J65-W-18 turbojet, 7,450 lb st |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; up to four Sidewinder air-to-air missiles |
Max speed: |
750 mph at sea level |
Range: |
1,270 miles |
Initial rate of climb: |
5,130 ft/min |
Service ceiling: |
41,900 ft |
Span: |
31 ft 7 in (27 ft 4 in folded) |
Length: |
46 ft 11 in |
Height: |
13 ft 3 in |
Empty weight: |
13,307 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
23,459 lb |
Prototype XF11F-1 flew on 30 July 1954. 201 Tigers produced including prototypes. In frontline US Navy service 1957-61.
Chance Vought F8U-1 Crusader
Single-seat supersonic jet fighter
Power: |
One Pratt & Whitney J57-P-11 turbojet with afterburning, 18,900 lb dry thrust |
Armament: |
Four 20 mm cannon; 32 air-to-air unguided rockets; provision for two Sidewinder AAMs |
Max speed: |
1,100 mph at 40,000 ft |
Range: |
1,200 miles |
Service ceiling: |
60,000 ft |
Span: |
35 ft 8 in |
Length: |
54 ft 3 in |
Height: |
15 ft 9in |
Loaded weight (max): |
27,000 lb |
Prototype XF8U-1 flew on 25 March 1955. 1,291 Crusaders of all variants produced (including 42 for French Aeronavale). In US Navy service 1957-73.
Attack and Strike Aircraft
Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior
Three-seat twin jet attack bomber
Power: |
Two Pratt & Whitney J57-P-10 turbojets, each 12,400 lb st |
Armament: |
Two 20 mm cannon in remote-controlled rear barbette; up to 12,000 lb of bombs in internal bomb bay |
Max speed: |
610 mph at 10,000 ft |
Range (max): |
2,100 miles |
Service ceiling: |
41,000 ft |
Span: |
72 ft 6 in |
Length: |
76 ft 4 in |
Height: |
22 ft 9 in |
Empty weight: |
39,400 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
82,000 lb |
Prototype flew on 28 October 1952. 282 of all variants delivered. In US Navy service 1956-88.
Douglas A4D-1 Skyhawk
Single-seat jet attack bomber
Power: |
One Wright J65-2-4 turbojet, 7,700 lb st |
Armament: |
Two 20 mm cannon; up to 5,000 lb of ordnance stores |
Max speed: |
664 mph at sea level |
Range (max): |
1,150 miles |
Span: |
27 ft 6 in |
Length: |
39 ft 5 in |
Height: |
15 ft |
Empty weight: |
8,400 lb |
Loaded weight (max): |
20,000 lb |
Prototype XA4D-1 flew on 22 June 1954. Subsequently 2,960 Skyhawks of all variants delivered. Entered US Navy service in 1956.