Military history

Appendix III

AIRCRAFT SPECIFICATIONS - 1945 TO 1955

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.

Previous
Page
Next
Page

Contents

If you find an error or have any questions, please email us at admin@erenow.org. Thank you!