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Aviation History
1958
1958 - 0848.PDF
864 FLIGHT, 20 June 1958 Military Aircraft of the World . . . Grumman F9F-8T Cougar. SAGE system and continental control and reporting network. Specialfeatures of the aircraft include variable-geometry supersonic intakes, a WADC Phase II instrument panel (with vertical-scale A.S.I., V.S.I,and altimeter) and no fewer than 18 heavy-press parts (large forgings) in the airframe. First flight of an F-106 took place on Boxing Day 1956; the aircraftwas a single-seat F-106A, which is the current variant built at San Diego. Bulk production began at the end of August last year and about 40106As have so far come off the line. In addition, Convair's Fort Worth plant are turning out forward fuselages for the tandem-seat F-106B,which—unlike the TF-102A—retains all its armament and fire-control. Convair have made a proposal for a further revised version, poweredby a J58 engine and capable of Mach 3. Span, 38/t ljin; length, 70ft 8Jin; height, 20ft 3Jin; max. speed, about1,200 m.p.h. Douglas F4D Skyray This bat-like aeroplane is a carrier-based inter-cepter, designed and built—like all Douglas naval aircraft—at the com- pany's El Segundo division. Powered by a Pratt and Whitney J57-P-2,rated at 15,000 lb with afterburner, the F4D-1 has outstanding accelera- tion, climb and altitude performance, but it has been generally overtakenby such machines as the F8U and F11F. Armament comprises an assortment of 20 mm guns and folding-fin rocket packs; no F4D hasbeen publicly seen with missiles, although it is stated that it can use such weapons and has all-weather capability. Its primary role is officiallyregarded as fleet protection, although most of the limited number in service are doing general attack work with the Marine Corps.Span, 33/r tin; length, 45ft 5m; height, 13/t; wing area, 557 sq ft; gross weight, 20,000 Ib clean; max. speed, about 800 m.p.h. Grumman F9F Cougar Most important version of this famouscarrier-based series is the F9F-8T. Compared with the basic F9F-8 the T model has a nose 34in longer and a second cockpit duplicating thefirst; only two 20 mm guns are carried but all underwing pylons are retained. The T is used for training in carrier landings, flight refuelling,gunnery and navigation, and can serve as an operational machine. Several thousand single-seat F9Fs are in service as fighter/bombers and photo-aircraft, the last being built in 1957. Grumman F11F Tiger and Super Tiger The former is a standardfighter/bomber which equips three carrier-based squadrons of the U.S. Navy and is in full production. First aircraft designed to transonic area-rule, the F11F is a remarkably small single-seater, powered by a Wright J65-W-6 or W-18 Sapphire, rated at 7,800 lb dry and 11,000 lb thrustwith afterburning. Unusual features include: four 20 mm guns mounted directly beneaththe lateral intakes; single-piece machined wing skins with folding tips; integral fuel tankage within the fin; full-span spoilers for lateral control;and a stumpy undercarriage, with twin nose wheels and main gear fold- ing into the fuselage. Multi-purpose radar is carried and racks areprovided for two Sidewinder missiles above the fuselage, and two more under the wings (or a pair of area-ruled tanks). The first F11F flewin August 1954; Grumman announced in April that 146 were then in service and that these had logged over 15,500 operational hours. The F11F-1F Super Tiger, or Grumman 98J, is a private-venturedevelopment which has yet to be ordered. Powered by a General Electric J79-GE-7, rated at 10,500 lb dry or 15,000 lb with afterburner, theSuper Tiger has a redesigned airframe to provide improved performance up to Mach 2.1. The guns are deleted in most variants, although West-inghouse Aero-13 fire control is fitted. In April it was agreed that Japan will buy more than 300 of these machines, most of them built in Japan.The prototype has recorded speeds exceeding 1,220 m.p.h. and a height of 76,828ft. F11F-1 Tiger: Span, 31/f 7in; length, 40ft 10m; height, 12ft Sin; grossweight, less than 20,000 Ib; max. speed, about 850 m.p.h.; landing over 50/l on to runway, total distance, 3,100/t. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Holder of the world records for absolutespeed and altitude, the F-104 is built to a unique configuration, with a stubby razor-edged wing and a T-tail. The 55ft fuselage houses theradar fire-control, the pilot (in a downward-ejecting seat), packaged electronics, a T-171 multi-barrel 20 mm gun, the fuel, and the completepropulsion system consisting of a General Electric J79 turbojet with afterburner associated with variable-geometry intakes and an ejectornozzle. Five pylons can accommodate a variety of tanks, bombs (includingnuclear), gun pods and GAR-8 Sidewinder missiles, and the 104 A can serve as a day fighter (the so-called air-superiority role), interdictor,photo-reconnaissance aircraft and nuclear bomber. The F-104B carries a navigator behind the pilot and retains all the weapons carried by thesingle-seater. It is employed chiefly as a conversion and proficiency trainer, with tactical ability. Airfield requirements in both types areminimized by a drooping leading edge and blown flaps. Reductions in Above, Douglas F4D-1 Skyray. Convair F-102A Delta Dagger.
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