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F-11 Tiger The F-11 Tiger is a one-seat, carrier based, United States Navy fighter aircraft in operation during the 1950s and 1960s. For storage upon aircraft carriers, the F-11 Tiger's wings folded downwards. Development The F-11 Tiger began as a concept, in 1952, by taking the F9F-6/7 Cougar and designing it to conform to the area rule where supersonic performance could be achieved and transonic drag could be reduced. However in 1953, redesigns led to a completely different aircraft that was not similar at all to the Cougar. Instead, the Tiger was designed with mid-mounted swept wings on a nearly cylinder shaped airframe. These, too, were conformations to the area rule. Experimental carrier operations started on April 4, 1956 when a F-11 Tiger landed on an aircraft carrier and took flight via a catapault assist. The test ship for this operation was the USS Forrestal. In addition, when it entered service the Tiger also operated from the carriers USS Ranger, USS Intrepid, USS Bon Homme Richard. While the F-11 Tiger was operated for a short time as a daylight fighter, the Blue Angels performed in these aircraft for many years after their use in the Navy. These aircraft were used throughout the 1950s and 1960s for airshow performances. General characteristics F-11F - Function: Carrier-based strike fighter, reconnaissance
- Contractor: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
- First flight: 1954 (prototype)
- Entry into service: 1955
- Unit cost: US$?? Million
- Propulsion
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- 1 Wright J65-W-18 axial-flow turbojet, rated 7,400 lbf (33 kN) thrust or 10,500 lbf (47 kN) thrust with afterburner.
- Length: 46 ft 11 in (14.3 m)
- Height: 13 ft 3 in (4.0 m)
- Maxiumum take-off weight: 24,000 lb (10,900 kg)
- Thrust/weight:
- Wingspan: 31 ft 7 1/2 in (9.6 m)
- Wing area: 250 ft² (23 m²)
- Ceiling: 42000 feet (12,800 m)
- Speed: cruising: 577 mph (929 km/h), Max: 753 mph (1212 km/h)
- Rate of climb: 5100 ft/min (1600 m/min)
- Combat/flying range: 1275 miles (2050 km)
- Crew: one, pilot.
- Armament: 4 x 20 mm canons on edge of air intake area, 4 x underwing pylons for AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles or 150 US gallon (570 L) fuel tanks.
- Avionics: WYSISWYG.
Interesting fact The F-11 Tiger holds the infamous distinction of being the first jet aircraft to shoot itself down. During testing a Tiger fired its 20 mm cannons while climbing. During the subsequent push-over and descent, it managed to collide with its own cannon shells that were following a ballistic trajectory. References Grumman F11F-1 Tiger
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