Tailsitter II |
Lockheed XFV-1 The American Lockheed XFV (sometimes referred to as the Salmon was an experimental tailsitter prototype built by Lockheed to demonstrate the operation of a vertical takeoff and landing fighter for protecting convoys. The XFV was powered by a 5,332 hp Allison YT40-A-14 turboprop engine driving three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. The tail surfaces were a reflected cruciform v-tail (forming an ×) that extended above and below the fuselage. The aircraft had an ungainly appearance on the ground with a make-shift, fixed landing gear attached. Lockheed employees derisively nicknamed the aircraft the "pogo stick" (hearkening back to the rival Convair XFY-1. Starting with a brief hop on 23 December, 1953 piloted by Herman "Fish" Salmon, the aircraft made a total of 32 flights, demonstrating transition between horizontal and vertical flight. No vertical takeoffs were performed, however. The aircraft was fitted with fixed landing gear so that it could take off horizontally. Performance was disappointing, and the project was cancelled in June of 1955. The single flying prototype ended up at the Sun 'n Fun Museum in Lakeland, Florida. The second prototype, which was never completed, serves as a gate guardian at NAS Los Alamitos, California. Crew: 1 Length: 36 ft 10.25 in (11.23 m) Wingspan: 30 ft 22 in (8.36 m) Height: 36 ft 10.25 in (11.23 m) Wing area: 246 ft² (22.85 m m²) Empty weight: 11,599 lb lb (5,261 kg kg) Loaded weight: 16,221 lb (7,358 kg kg) Max takeoff weight: 16,221 lb (7,358 kg kg) Powerplant: 2× 1 Allison XT40-A-14 turboprop, () each Maximum speed: 580 mph (930 km/h) Cruise speed: 410 mph (660 km/h) Range: unknown Service ceiling: 43,300 ft (13,100 m) Rate of climb: 10,820 ft/m (3,300 m/min) Wing loading: 65.9 lb/ft² (322 kg/m²) 4 20 mm cannons or 48 2.75 in rockets Note: Performance estimates are based on XFV with YT40-A-14 engine. USN 94 René Hieronymus Scale 1:72 Building time 28 hrs. |