Convair XFY-1



The Convair Model 5 XFY-1 was a radical experimental single-seat ﬁghter.

Description
The design evolved as part of a programme to examine the feasibility of operating tail-sitting, vertical-take-off and-landing aircraft from small platforms on ships, three prototypes being ordered in March 1951. Featuring wings of modified delta planform and immense vertical tail surfaces (the ventral surfaces being jettisonable to permit an emergency landing to be made in the conventional wing-supported mode), the XFY-1 rested on small castoring wheels at the tips of the horizontal and vertical surfaces. The pilot's ejector seat was mounted on gimbals which permitted it to tilt 45 deg when the aircraft assumed the vertical attitude. Power was provided by a 5,850 ehp Allison YT40-A-6 (pending availability of the planned 6,955 ehp XT4O-A-16) driving contra-rotating propellers, and proposed armament comprised four 20-mm cannon in wingtip pods or 48 2.75-in (70-mm) rockets. The XFY-1 effected its ﬁrst vertical take-off and landing on 1 August 1954, and its ﬁrst transition on 2 November 1954, but, although it was ﬂown for some 40 hours, severe piloting difficulties led to the abandonment of the programme with only one prototype completed.

Specification
The full performance envelope was not explored and the following data are applicable to the planned definitive XT40-A-16-powered aircraft.


 * Max speed, 610 mph (982km/h) at 15,000ft (4,570m), 592mph (953km/h) at 35,000 ft (10,670m).
 * Time to 20,000ft (6100m), 2.7min, to 30,000 ft (9150122), 4.6min.
 * Empty weight, 11,742 lb (5,327kg).
 * Loaded weight, 16,250 lb (7,371 kg).
 * Span, 27ft 7 3/4 in (8.43 1n).
 * Length, 34 ft 11 3/1 in (10.66 m).
 * Vertical span, 22ft 11 in (6.981n).
 * Wing area, 355 sqft (32.98m2).