Lockheed XFV

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The Lockheed XFV (sometimes referred to as the Salmon or the Vertical Riser) was a tailsitter prototype built by Lockheed to demonstrate the operation of a vertical takeoff and landing fighter for protecting convoys. It was powered by a 5,500 hp Allison YT40-A-6 turboprop engine driving three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. The tail surfaces were essentially a v-tail that extended below the fuselage. Starting with a brief hop on December 23, 1953 piloted by Herman "Fish" Salmon, the aircraft made a total of 28 flights, demonstrating transition between vertical and horizontal 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 National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida. The second prototype, which was never completed, serves as a gate guardian at NAS Los Alamitos, California.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 36 ft 10.25 in (11.23 m)
• Wingspan: 27 ft 5 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-6 turboprop, () each

Performance

• 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)

Armament

4 20 mm cannons or 48 2.75 in rockets Note: Performance estimates are based on XFV with YT40-A-14 engine.

[edit] References and external links

• Green, William, Gordon Sanborough, The Great Book of Fighters, 2001.
• Lockheed XFV-1 at the Florida Air Museum

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