Grumman XF5F Skyrocket

The history of the Grumman XF5F rocket

Before the unique pre-WWII (1939-1945) twin-engine Grumman XP-50 appeared on US Army radars, it existed in a similar form to the XF5F "Skyrocket, possibly sold to the US Navy (USN)" Lightweight Fighter prototype. It was originally intended as a fast carrier-based interceptor with the handling and performance capabilities to deal with the then enemy fighter jets.

After Grumman presented its radical design to the U.S. Navy, it was ordered for prototype construction on June 30, 1939 - almost two and a half years after the United States entered World War II (December 1941) forward. Its model name became "G-34".

The XF5F is unique in every way. It was the only crew seated in a shortened fuselage, the front of which was covered by the main straight-wing aircraft. These main aircraft have two engine nacelles mounted on their leading edges, giving the fighter a completely unique look.

The tail is in its original position, but with a dual rudder configuration centered on a pair of upwardly curved horizontal planes. A "tail" landing gear completes the aircraft's physics.

Dimensions include 28.8ft barrel length, 42ft wingspan and 11.3ft height. Empty weight is 8,110 lbs and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 10,900 lbs.

Power is provided by 2 Wright XR-1820-40/42 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, each rated at 1,200 hp. The engines drive the three-bladed propellers in opposite directions, effectively counteracting the natural torque effects created by each engine's rotating blades, creating a more stable flight and launch platform.

The show is promising, to say the least.

As a naval fighter, it was originally proposed that the new aircraft should carry 2 x 23mm Madsen guns. In addition to this stationary weapon, the aircraft will also be certified to carry 2 x 165 lb drop bombs as a ground attack.

The XF5F's entry into this period in U.S. naval aviation history is particularly significant because it was a twin-engine aircraft at a time when the first monoplane in service with the U.S. Navy was just beginning to enter inventory. Twin engines provide better range and performance at the cost of complexity, maintenance requirements and overall size on space-constrained carriers.

In any event, any advantage that can be gained against an enemy fighter jet is certainly taken into account, and with Grumman already establishing itself as the U.S. Navy's premier aircraft supplier, the partnership between the two is not without reason.

The first flight of the XF5F prototype took place on April 1, 1940, and this early stage of testing revealed problems that forced modifications, including lengthening the nose and engine nacelles and overhauling the engine cooling system. Aerodynamic issues were further addressed by adding spinners to each propeller unit and lowering the cockpit canopy. Weaponry changed from 2 x cannons to 2 x .50 caliber heavy machine guns and 2 x .30 caliber medium machine guns.

This combined armament approach was common on many U.S. fighter jets between the two world warsespecially before it was realized that a full . Overall, the fighter exhibited extraordinary straight-line speed, good maneuverability and an excellent rate of climb for its time.

Grumman aircraft outperformed the competition compared to their contemporaries - including war-winners such as the British Super Navy Spitfire and the under-development Vought XF4U (which would become the F4U "Corsair") Classic Airplane. However, for logistical reasons, the complex twin-engine aircraft was not pursued by the US Navy - instead, it preferred to be more sophisticated like Grumman's other products, the F4F Wildcat and its successor, the F6F Hellcat.

Traditional, easier to build and maintain monoplane.

Thus, the XF5F is in the history books of aviation. It had a brief renaissance as the land-based "XP-50" (detailed elsewhere on this page), but the entry has accomplished only more than its naval sistershe managed only one flying prototype herself. Both initiatives were eventually abandoned, but Grumman used this experience to develop a brilliant "twin" in the post-war F7F Tigercat, which produced 364 units. These men managed combat careers in the U.S. Navy and U.S.

Marine Corps Air Service as heavy fighter/night fighters during the Korean War (1950-1953).

Specification

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes