Based on the Grumman F-9 Cougar, the F-11 Tiger was designed and developed by the company during 1952 and 1953 to be a carrier-based supersonic fighter. The Navy was impressed enough to buy two prototypes and assist in the development program. It was put into service with the Navy in 1956 till it was retired in 1969. 199 examples were built.
On a side note, the 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 cannons, pilot Tom Attridge fired two bursts mid-way 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.
Blue Angels used 'em too.
ReplyDeleteThe front line service was brief due to the superiority of the Vought Crusader and other factors but to be used with an acrobatic team, it must have been a good, solid, easy to fly airplane.
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