Grumman F-11 Tiger

File:XF11F-1 F9F-9 NAN1-55.jpg

File:F11F-1 Tiger on USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in April 1956.jpg

File:F11F short and long nose at NAS Kingsville.jpg

The origins of the F11F (F-11) Tiger can be traced back to a privately funded 1952 Grumman concept to modernize and improve the F9F-6/7 Cougar, a popular early jet-powered carrier aircraft.Thomason 2008, p. 211. The design team opted to implement the area rule along with several other advances into the project, which was internally designated G-98. Design objectives included the minimisation of the aircraft's size.Harper 2016, p. 15. By the time that the design process was concluded during 1953, it had become a complete departure from the Cougar, bearing little more than a vague resemblance to the preceding aircraft.

It features a new wing equipped with both full-span leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps with roll control being achieved using spoilers rather than traditional ailerons. For storage on aircraft carriers, these wings could be manually folded downwards. Anticipating supersonic performance, the tailplane was all-moving. The aircraft was designed to be powered by the Wright J65 turbojet, a license-built version of the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire.{{cite web |url = http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1973/Sep73.pdf |title = Naval Aircraft: Tiger |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040319061545/http://www.history.navy.mil/nan/backissues/1970s/1973/sep73.pdf |archive-date = 19 March 2004 |publisher = Naval Aviation News (U.S. Navy) |date = September 1973 |pages = 20–21}}

The design's potential for supersonic performance and reduced transonic drag drew the attention of several officials, including those within the United States Navy. During early 1953, the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics decided to commit itself to the project's full development, placing an initial order for two prototypes, which were designated XF9F-8 (even though the new fighter was clearly a new design).Lorell, Levaux and Giddens 1998, p. 73. To add to the confusion, the prototypes were then redesignated XF9F-9 while the XF9F-8 designation was assigned to a different, more straightforward, derivative of the Cougar.

Since the afterburning version of the J65 was not ready, the first prototype made its maiden flight on 30 July 1954 powered by a non-afterburning engine. In spite of this, the aircraft nearly reached Mach 1 during this first flight. The second prototype, equipped with the afterburning engine, became the second supersonic U.S. Navy aircraft, the first being the Douglas F4D Skyray. During April 1955, the aircraft received the new designation F11F-1 (F-11A after adoption of the unified Tri-Service naming system in 1962).Thomason 2008, p. 267. On 4 April 1956, carrier trials started when an F11F-1 Tiger landed on and launched from {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6}}.Bowers 1990, p. 256.

The Tiger gained the dubious distinction of being the first jet aircraft to shoot itself down.{{cite web |url = https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a27967/the-fighter-plane-that-shot-itself-down/ |title = The Fighter Plane That Shot Itself Down |publisher = Popular Mechanics |first = Kyle |last = Mizokami |date = 28 December 2020}}{{cite web |last=Kocis |first=Desiree |date=4 October 2021 |title=Did A Grumman F11 Tiger Shoot Itself Down? |url=https://www.planeandpilotmag.com/news/2021/10/04/grumman-f11-tiger-shoot-itself-down/ |publisher=planeandpilotmag.com}} On 21 September 1956, during a test-firing of its 20 mm (0.79 in) cannons, pilot Tom Attridge fired two bursts midway through a shallow dive. As the trajectory of the cannon rounds decayed, they ultimately crossed paths with the Tiger as it continued its descent, disabling the aircraft and forcing Attridge to crash-land the aircraft; he survived with a broken leg and multiple broken vertebrae.[http://www.aerofiles.com/tiger-tail.html "A Tiger Bites Its Tail."] Aerofiles. Retrieved: 1 April 2007.[http://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/Tiger138260.htm "Unlucky First – The Shootdown of Tiger #620."] Check-Six.com. Retrieved: 1 April 2007.

Grumman proposed several models of the Tiger, beyond the F-11A (F11F-1) fighter, including aerial reconnaissance and dedicated trainer versions. The more advanced version of the airframe to be proposed by the company was the F11F-1F Super Tiger.Thomason 2008, p. 248. It was the result of a 1955 study to install the new General Electric J79 engine into the F11F-1 airframe. When evaluated by Switzerland for a potential procurement, it was assessed as having exceeded all competing aircraft in terms of overall technical performance.[http://www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/de/home/themen/history/mittelaus/miriiis.html "Die Besten: Supertiger und Mirage III (The Best Ones: Supertiger and Mirage III) {{in lang|de}}."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625181021/http://www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/de/home/themen/history/mittelaus/miriiis.html |date=25 June 2011 }} Schweizer Luftwaffe. Retrieved: 1 July 2010.[http://www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/fr/home/themen/history/mittelaus/miriiis.html "Le Supertiger et le Mirage III surclassent leurs concurrents (Supertiger and the Mirage III outclass their competitors) {{in lang|fr}}."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130054104/http://www.lw.admin.ch/internet/luftwaffe/fr/home/themen/history/mittelaus/miriiis.html |date=30 January 2011 }} Forces Aériennes Suisses. Retrieved: 1 July 2010. Grumman also proposed to produce a variant powered by the proven, and even more powerful, Rolls-Royce Avon engine in place of the J79.[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958%20-%200128.html "P.1 German Demonstration."] Flight, 31 January 1958, p. 130.

File:F11F-1 VF-21 CVA-61 1957.jpeg

File:Grumman F-11A 141829 VT-26 DM 22.04.71 edited-2.jpg

Seven U.S. Navy squadrons flew the Tiger, these included 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.Spick Air International June 1991, p. 318. The aircraft was operated from the carriers {{USS|Intrepid|CV-11|2}}, {{USS|Lexington|CV-16|2}}, {{USS|Hancock|CV-19|2}}, {{USS|Bon Homme Richard|CV-31|2}}, {{USS|Shangri-La|CV-38|2}}, {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|2}}, {{USS|Saratoga|CV-60|2}}, {{USS|Ranger|CV-61|2}} and Independence. The F11F's career as a frontline fighter lasted only four years, largely as a result of its performance being inferior to the competing and considerably faster Vought F-8 Crusader;Thomason 2008, p. 213. further factors included the unreliability of its J65 powerplant, and the inadequacy of both its range and endurance.{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} At no point was the Tiger ever capable of sustained supersonic flight in an operational configuration.Lorell, Levaux and Giddens 1998, pp. 73-74. The Navy opted to cancel its orders for the F11F-1P reconnaissance version, thus only 199 F11F-1 (F-11A) fighters were ever built.

By 1961, the Tiger had been permanently withdrawn from carrier operations. Nevertheless, it continued to be operated by the Naval Air Training Command in South Texas at NAS Chase Field and NAS Kingsville, through to the late 1960s. Typically, 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 active fleet fighters. The Tiger's flight characteristics lent itself well to the training role.

While the Tiger's career as a fighter was relatively short, the Blue Angels performed in the aircraft between 1957 and 1969, at which point the Tiger was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II.{{cite web |url = http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/aircraft/historical.aspx |title = Historical Aircraft of the Blue Angels |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120419102617/http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/aircraft/historical.aspx |archive-date = 19 April 2012 |publisher = blueangels.navy.mil |access-date = 30 August 2012}}

Prior to the 1962 code unification, the Tiger was designated as the F11F; after unification, it was redesignated F-11.

During 1973, two former Blue Angels F-11As were taken from storage at Davis-Monthan AFB and modified by Grumman as testbeds to evaluate in-flight thrust control systems. BuNo 141853 was fitted with a Rohr Industries thrust reverser and BuNo 141824 was kept in standard configuration as a chase plane. Tests of the inflight thrust reversal were carried out by Grumman at Calverton beginning in March 1974 and continued at NATC Patuxent River, Maryland until 1975. Following the completion of these tests, both planes were returned to storage at Davis Monthan AFB. These were the last Tigers to fly.{{Cite web |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f11_1.html |title = Grumman F11F-1/F-11A Tiger |publisher = joebaugher.com}}

File:Grumman F11F VF-33 1959.jpg

;F9F-9

: Original designation.

;F11F-1

: Single-seat fighter version for the U.S. Navy, redesignated F-11A in 1962. 199 built and later production aircraft had a longer nose. One was used for static tests with a further production of 231 aircraft cancelled.

;F11F-1P

: Designation of a Navy photo reconnaissance version, 85 were cancelled.Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_fighters/f11_1.html "Grumman F11F-1/F-11A Tiger."] Joe Baugher's Encyclopedia of American Military Aircraft, 30 January 2000. Retrieved: 26 July 2010.

;F11F-1F Super Tiger (G-98J)

: F11F-1 fitted with the J79-GE-3A engine, two built.Buttler 2008, pp. 114–115.

;F11F-1T

: Proposed tandem-seat trainer variant; unbuilt.Bridgman 1958, pp. 307–308.

File:F11Fs Blue Angels over Niagara Falls c1957.jpg flew the F11F from 1957 to 1969.]]

;{{USA}}

• United States Navy
• VF-21, Atlantic Fleet
• VF-24, Pacific Fleet
• VF-33, Atlantic Fleet
• VF-51, Pacific Fleet
• VF-121, Pacific Fleet
• VA-156, Pacific Fleet
• VF-191, Pacific Fleet
• ATU-203 (redesignated VT-23)
• ATU-223 (redesignated VT-26)
• Blue Angels (1957–1969)

;F11F-1

File:Ex-blue angels F-11 Tiger at the Pima museum.jpg in Tucson, Arizona]]

File:Air Zoo December 2019 132 (Grumman F11F Tiger).jpg]]

File:Blue Angels Grumman Tiger.jpg, Virginia Beach]]

• 138608 - California Science Center in Los Angeles, California. Previously displayed at Admiral Farragut Academy, St. Petersburg, Florida
• 138619 – Stricklands Surplus in Wilmington, North Carolina.
• 138645 – NAF El Centro in Imperial County, California.
• 141735 – Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.[https://yanksair.com/Products/59/104/Grumman-F11-A-1-Tiger/ "F11F Tiger/141735"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921003719/https://yanksair.com/Products/59/104/Grumman-F11-A-1-Tiger/ |date=2015-09-21 }} Yanks Air Museum Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141783 – MAPS Air Museum in Canton, Ohio.[http://mapsairmuseum.org/aircraft-on-display/ "F11F Tiger/141783."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331003636/http://mapsairmuseum.org/aircraft-on-display/ |date=2014-03-31 }} MAPS Air Museum. Retrieved: 26 October 2012.
• 141790 – Grissom Air Museum at Grissom Air Reserve Base near Peru, Indiana.[http://www.grissomairmuseum.com/gallery/fighters/plane-10 "F11F Tiger/141790"] Grissom Air Museum. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141802 – Lawson Creek Park in New Bern, North Carolina.[http://www.downtownnewbern.com/pages/projects-F-11-Grumann.htm "F11F Tiger/141802."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303040656/http://www.downtownnewbern.com/pages/projects-F-11-Grumann.htm |date=2014-03-03 }} Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation. Retrieved: 26 February 2014.
• 141803 – Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport in Reserve, Louisiana.[http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/F11/803/St_John.htm "F11F Tiger/141803] Blueangels.org. Retrieved: 12 March 2024.
• 141811 – Combat Air Museum in Topeka, Kansas.[http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/grummanf11f.html "F11F Tiger/141811."] Combat Air Museum. Retrieved: 4 March 2013.
• 141824 – Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.[http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-f-11a-tiger "F11F Tiger/141824."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224044547/http://www.pimaair.org/visit/aircraft-by-name/item/grumman-f-11a-tiger |date=2015-02-24 }} Pima Air & Space Museum. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141828 – National Museum of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.[http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f11f_tiger "F11F Tiger/141828"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318092024/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=f11f_tiger |date=2015-03-18 }} National Museum of Naval Aviation Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141832 – Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York.[http://www.cradleofaviation.org/history/permanent_exhibits/atrium/grumman-f-11a_tiger.html "F11F Tiger/141832."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105025339/http://www.cradleofaviation.org/history/permanent_exhibits/atrium/grumman-f-11a_tiger.html |date=2015-01-05 }} Cradle of Aviation Museum. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141851 – NAES Lakehurst, New Jersey.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
• 141853 – Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Pueblo, Colorado.[http://www.pwam.org/images/display/f11tiger.gif "F11F Tiger/141853."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218084850/http://www.pwam.org/images/display/f11tiger.gif |date=2015-12-18 }} Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141859 – Veteran's Memorial Park in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
• 141864 – NAS Oceana Aviation Historical Park, Virginia.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
• 141868 – Planes of Fame Air Museum in Valle, Arizona.[http://planesoffame.org/index.php?page=81&itemsperpage=All "F11F Tiger/141868"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806222534/http://planesoffame.org/index.php?page=81&itemsperpage=All |date=2017-08-06 }} Planes of Fame Air Museum Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141872 – Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?menu_id=137 "F11F Tiger/141872."] Air Zoo. Retrieved: 15 January 2015.
• 141882 – Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Florida.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
• 141869 – Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee.{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

File:Grumman F-11F-1 Tiger 3-view line drawing.png

File:F11F-1 VF-33 Pensacola.jpg at NAS Pensacola, Florida]]

{{Aircraft specs

|ref= United States Navy Aircraft since 1911Bowers 1990, p. 257. Standard Aircraft Characteristics: F-11A{{cite book |title = NAVAIR 00-110AF11-1 |date = 1 July 1967 |publisher = Naval Air systems Command |location = Annapolis, United States |url = https://www.avialogs.com/component/phocadownload/category/1488-contribs?download=3359:0003505-avialogs-1002986-f-11a-tiger-sac-1-july-1967 |access-date = 9 April 2020}}

|prime units?= kts

|crew= 1

|length ft= 45

|length in= 10.5

|length sigfig=4

|length note=

|span ft= 31

|span in= 7.5

|span sigfig=3

|span note=

|height ft= 13

|height in= 2.75

|height sigfig=3

|height note=

|width ft= 27

|width in= 4

|width note= wing-tips folded

|wing area sqft= 250

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=

|airfoil=

|empty weight lb= 13,810

|empty weight note=

|gross weight lb= 21,035

|gross weight note=

|max takeoff weight lb= 23,459

|max takeoff weight note=

|fuel capacity=

|more general=

|eng1 number= 1

|eng1 name= Wright J65-W-18

|eng1 type= afterburning turbojet engine

|eng1 lbf= 7,450

|eng1 note= at 8,300 rpm, military power

|eng1 lbf-ab= 10,500

|max speed kts= 631

|max speed note= / M1.1 at {{cvt|35000|ft}}

::::{{cvt|654|kn|mph km/h}} at sea level

|cruise speed kts= 501

|cruise speed note=

|stall speed kts=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kts=

|never exceed speed note=

|range nmi= 1,110

|range note=

|combat range nmi=

|combat range note=

|ferry range nmi=

|ferry range note=

|endurance=

|ceiling ft= 49,000

|ceiling note=

|g limits=

|roll rate=

|climb rate ftmin= 16,300

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude=

|lift to drag=

|wing loading lb/sqft= 84

|wing loading note=

|fuel consumption lb/mi=

|thrust/weight= 0.5

|more performance=

|guns= 4 × 20 mm (.79 in) Colt Mk 12 cannon, 125 rounds per gun

|hardpoints= 4

|hardpoint capacity= –

|hardpoint missiles= AIM-9 Sidewinder

|hardpoint rockets= Aero 6A or Aero 7A "Rocket Package"

|hardpoint other= {{cvt|150|USgal|L}} drop tank

|avionics=

• AN/ARC-27A UHF COMMS
• AN/ARA-25 UHF
• AN/ARR-40 UHF
• AN/ARN-14E VHF Nav
• AN/APX-6B IFF
• AN/APA-89 video coder
• AN/APG-30A ranging radar

}}

{{aircontent

|related=

• Grumman F-9 Cougar
• Grumman F11F-1F Super Tiger
• Grumman G-118

|similar aircraft=

• Douglas F5D Skylancer
• Supermarine Scimitar
• Vought F-8 Crusader

|lists=

• List of fighter aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States

|see also=

}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |last = Bowers |first = Peter M. |title = United States Navy Aircraft since 1911 |location = Annapolis, Maryland, United States |publisher = Naval Institute Press |date = 1990 |isbn = 0-87021-792-5}}
• {{cite book |title = Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59 |editor1-last = Bridgman |editor1-first = Leonard |year = 1958 |publisher = Jane's All the World's Aircraft Publishing Co. Ltd. |location = London, United Kingdom}}
• {{cite book |last = Buttler |first = Tony |title = American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978 |location = Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom |publisher = Midland Publishing |date = 2008 |edition = First |isbn = 978-1-85780-264-1}}
• {{cite book |last = Green |first = Michael |title = United States Naval Aviation 1911-2014 |publisher = Pen & Sword Aviation |date = 2015 |isbn = 978-1-473-82225-2}}
• {{cite book |last1 = Lorell |first1 = Mark A. |first2 = Hugh P. |last2 = Levaux |first3 = Elizabeth |last3 = Giddens |title = The Cutting Edge: A Half Century of U.S. Fighter Aircraft R&D |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OwWXV3eOiwYC&pg=PA73 |publisher = RAND Corporation |date = 1998 |isbn = 0-833-04860-0}}
• NAVAIR 00-110AF11-1: Standard Aircraft Characteristics, Navy Model F-11A Aircraft. Pax River, Maryland: Naval Air Systems, United States Navy Command.
• {{cite journal |last = Spick |first = Mike |title = The Iron Tigers |journal = Air International |volume = 40 |number = 6 |date = June 1991 |pages = 313–320 |issn = 0306-5634}}
• {{cite book |last = Thomason |first = Tommy H. |title = U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters, 1943-1962 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XkYcBQAAQBAJ |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 2008 |isbn = 978-1-580-07110-9}}
• {{cite book |last = Harper |first = Jules |title = Flying Warrior: My Life as a Naval Aviator During the Vietnam War |publisher = Morgan James Publishing |date = 2016 |isbn = 978-1-683-50067-4}}

• {{cite book |last = Andrade |first = John |title = U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 |location = Hinckley, Leicestershire, United Kingdom |publisher = Midland Counties Publications |date = 1979 |isbn = 0-904597-22-9}}
• {{cite book |last = Crosby |first = Francis |title = Fighter Aircraft |location = London, United Kingdom |publisher = Lorenz Books |date = 2002 |isbn = 0-7548-0990-0}}
• {{cite book |last = Gunston |first = Bill |author-link = Bill Gunston |title = Fighters of the Fifties |location = North Branch, Minnesota, United States |publisher = Specialty Press |date = 1981 |isbn = 0-933424-32-9}}
• {{cite book |last = Thruelsen |first = Richard |title = The Grumman Story |location = Westport, Connecticut, United States |publisher = Praeger Publishers, Inc. |date = 1976 |isbn = 0-275-54260-2}}

{{Commons category|Grumman F11F Tiger}}

• [http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/grummanf11f.html USNavy BuNo. 141811 on display at Combat Air Museum]
• [http://www.armybase.us/2009/03/blue-angels-crash-artifacts-found-50-years-later/ Artifacts from Blue Angels F-11 crash found fifty years later]
• [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/SAC/F-11A_TigerSAC-670701.pdf US Navy Standard Aircraft Characteristics pamphlet for F-11A (F11F-1) Tiger]

{{Grumman aircraft}}

{{USN fighters}}

{{US fighters}}

{{Authority control}}

F-011 Tiger

Grumman F-11

Category:Single-engined jet aircraft

Grumman F11F

Category:Mid-wing aircraft

Category:Aircraft first flown in 1954

Category:Second-generation jet fighters

Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear