Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket

by Robert Ferrero
 

Minicraft's 1/48 scale "long nose" Skyrocket is available online from Squadron.com

Here is Minicraft's 1/48 scale Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket.

Sometimes referred to as "The cat that wasn't", Grumman's Skyrocket was a unique approach to a high performance carrier fighter. The original prototype sported a short nose to permit an unobstructed forward view, but was eventually replaced with a more angular structure extending forward of the wing.

Unfortunately after modifications were made to the original design, the aircraft weighed in at over five tons which effectively put it out of the running as a carrier fighter.

When the United States became involved in World War II, the Skyrocket received a combat style camouflage scheme of intermediate blue over light gray.

When development of the Skyrocket was abandoned, the XF5F-1 became a test bed. The information gathered was applied to the development of the successful F7F Tigercat.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2002 by Robert Ferrero
Page Created 04 September, 2002
Last Updated 04 September, 2002

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