https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_F-11_Tiger
The Grumman F11F/F-11 Tiger was a supersonic, single-seat carrier-based United
States Navy fighter aircraft in operation during the 1950s and 1960s. Originally
designated the F11F Tiger in April 1955 under the pre-1962 Navy designation
system, it was redesignated as F-11 Tiger under the 1962 United States
Tri-Service aircraft designation system.
Aircraft Corporation made 200 Tigers, with the last aircraft being delivered to
the U.S. Navy on 23 January 1959.
The F11F (F-11) Tiger origins can be traced back to a privately funded 1952
Grumman concept to modernize the F9F-6/7 Cougar by implementing the area rule
and other advances. This Grumman company project was known as the G-98, and when
it was concluded it was a complete design departure from the Cougar.
The F-11 Tiger is noted for being the first jet aircraft to shoot itself down.
On 21 September 1956, during a test-firing of its 20 mm (.79 in) cannons, pilot
Tom Attridge fired two bursts midway through a shallow dive. As the velocity and
trajectory of the cannon rounds decayed, they ultimately crossed paths with the
Tiger as it continued its descent, disabling it and forcing Attridge to
crash-land the aircraft; he survived.
Role
Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer
Grumman
First flight
30 July 1954
Introduction
1956
Retired
1961 (Carrier)
1967 (Training)
1969 (Blue Angels)
Status
Phased out of service
Primary user
United States Navy
Produced
Number built
200
Variants
Grumman F11F Super Tiger
Seven U.S. Navy squadrons flew the F11F-1: VF-21 and VF-33 in the Atlantic Fleet
and VA-156 (redesignated VF-111 in January 1959), VF-24 (redesignated VF-211 in
March 1959), VF-51, VF-121, and VF-191 in the Pacific Fleet.
In service, the Tiger operated from the carriers Ranger, Intrepid, Hancock, Bon
Homme Richard, Shangri-La, Forrestal, and Saratoga. The F11F's career lasted
only four years because its performance was inferior to the Vought F-8 Crusader
and the J65 engine proved unreliable. Also, the range and endurance of the Tiger
was found to be inadequate. Thus, the Navy cancelled all orders for the F11F-1P
reconnaissance version and only 199 F11F-1 (F-11A) fighters were built.
The aircraft was withdrawn from carrier operations by 1961. It continued in
service, however, in the Naval Air Training Command in south Texas at NAS Chase
Field and NAS Kingsville, until the late 1960s. Students performed advanced jet
training in the TF-9J Cougar, and upon completing that syllabus, were given a
brief taste of supersonic capability with the F-11 before transitioning to fleet
fighters.
Specifications (F11F-1/F-11A)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 46 ft 11 in (14.3 m)
Wingspan: 31 ft 7.5 in (9.6 m)
Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.0 m)
Empty weight: 13,810 lb (6,277 kg)
Loaded weight: 21,035 lb (9,561 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 23,459 lb (10,663 kg)
Thrust with afterburner: 10,500 lbf (46.7 kN)
Performance
Maximum speed: Mach 1.1 (727 mph, 1,170 km/h) at 35,000 ft (11,000 m), (753 mph
(1,211 km/h) at sea level)
Cruise speed: 577 mph (929 km/h)
Range: 1,275 mi (1,110 nmi, 2,050 km)
Service ceiling: 49,000 ft (14,900 m)
Rate of climb: 16,300 ft/min (83 m/s)
Thrust/weight: 0.50
Armament
Rockets: Aero 6A or Aero 7A "Rocket Package"
Missiles: AIM-9 Sidewinder
Other: 150 gal drop tank
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