Hi Joe!
JK> Back about 1940 the U.S.Navy had a plane with two radial
JK> engines mounted on a wing that was mounted on the nose of the
JK> plane, about 1/3 of the wing projected in front of the plane.
JK> I think it was the comic strip 'Blackhawks' that used it. Can
JK> anyone tell about this plane, it was a beauty. Did it go into
JK> production ???
Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket (Navy version) aka XP-50 (Air Force version)
First flight 4/1/1940, later flown as developmental prototype for the
Tigercat until 1944, never went into production.
The fuselage was lengthened shortly after the maiden flight so that
it protrudes ahead of the wing. The photo I have shows a wing that
projects only an estimated 1/6 in front of the aircraft.
Specs:
One seater carrier based fighter prototype,
2 Wright XR-1820-40 Cyclone 1200 hp 9-cylinder radials,
max speed 384 mph
range 1200 mls
length 28,9 ft
wing span 42,2 ft
armament 2 23mm Madson machine guns
BTW, it looks a little bit sturdy with its short fuselage, high canopy
and tail with twin fins (endplates). Not really a beauty...
Uwe
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