North American FJ-1 Fury

First jet aircraft that served the United States Navy, introduced in October 1947

US Navy FJ-1 © Insomnia Cured Here

Overview

North American Aviation (NAA) United States ICAO: FJ1 1946–1948

The North American FJ-1 Fury was developed and manufactured by North American Aviation and was the first operational jet aircraft that served the United States Navy. Introduced in October 1947, the FJ-1 was developed from the P-51D Mustang long-range fighter bomber. It performed its maiden flight in September 1946 and a total number of 33 aircraft were built including prototypes.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
1 × Allison J35-A-2
Engine type
Jet
Thrust
4,000 lbf · 18 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
1
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
34 ft 5 in  ·  10.48 m
Tail height
14 ft 10 in  ·  4.52 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 11 in  ·  1.20 m
Wing span
38 ft 2 in  ·  11.63 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
15,100 lb  ·  6,850 kg
Max landing weight
—
Max payload
1,100 lb  ·  500 kg
Fuel capacity
810 gal · 3,000 L · 2,400 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
475 kt  ·  547 mph  ·  880 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
—
Range
1,301 nm  ·  1,500 mi  ·  2,410 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
32,000 ft  ·  9,800 m
Rate of climb
3,300 ft/min  ·  17 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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North American FJ-1 Furys

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Operational Context

During late 1944, the Fury started as a straight-wing fighter aircraft with tricycle landing gear and a single turbojet engine that passes through the fuselage. It was derived from the P-51D Mustang and greatly resembled the wing, as well as the tail assembly and the canopy.

The prototype was designated XFJ-1 and was in competition during the time with the Douglas F3D Skynight and Vought F6U Pirate. On September 11, 1946, the XFJ-1 prototype took to the air for the first time. Three prototypes were built in total. In October 1947, deliveries of production aircraft started. A total of thirty-three FJ-1 Furys were built including three prototypes.

The single-crew FJ-1 Fury has an external length of 10.48 meters, an external height of 3 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.2 meters. The tail height is 4.52 meters and the wheelbase is 4.44 meters. It has a wingspan of 11.63 meters and a wing area of 20.5 square meters. The aircraft has an empty weight of 4,010 kg, a loaded weight of 6,854 kg, and a maximum payload of 500 kg. It has fuel provisions of 465 gal internal and two 170 gal in wingtip fuel tanks.

The FJ-1 is powered by a single Allison J35-A-2 engine. It is an afterburning turbojet with an eleven-stage axial compressor, eight tubular inter-connected combustion chambers, a single-stage axial turbine, and a dry-sump pressure system with spur gear pressure and scavenge pumps. The engine produces a maximum power of 4,000 lbf.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of 475 knots at 9,000 feet. The stalling speed is 106 knots. It has a travel range of 1,301 nautical miles with external tanks. It can fly up to 32,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 3,300 feet per minute at sea level. The armament included six 12.7 mm M2 Browning heavy machine guns with 1,500 rounds in total.