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Grumman F12F Lion "Sageburner"
- Thread starter Chris707
- Start date
;D
Sferrin,
Yes, this was a real design, although I don't believe the designation was F-12F. The original F-11F Tiger was a good day fighter, but was not able to achieve supersonic speed in level flight and was at the end of its development potential. "Sageburner" was supposed to fix these problems by mating the F-11 fuselage with the J-79 engine. Since the F-4 Phantom and the F-8 Crusader were already in production and could do everything the upgraded Tiger could and more, the Navy decided not to pursue the project.
Likewise, since no F-11s were exported, ther was no incentive to get production underway. That said, I wonder what might have been if some early F-11s had gone into service and were then upgraded with the J-79 (in a process similar to waht the Israelis did with the Mirage III) and other enhancements.
Perhaps someone wants to hypothesize?
Regards,
Ranger6
Sferrin,
Yes, this was a real design, although I don't believe the designation was F-12F. The original F-11F Tiger was a good day fighter, but was not able to achieve supersonic speed in level flight and was at the end of its development potential. "Sageburner" was supposed to fix these problems by mating the F-11 fuselage with the J-79 engine. Since the F-4 Phantom and the F-8 Crusader were already in production and could do everything the upgraded Tiger could and more, the Navy decided not to pursue the project.
Likewise, since no F-11s were exported, ther was no incentive to get production underway. That said, I wonder what might have been if some early F-11s had gone into service and were then upgraded with the J-79 (in a process similar to waht the Israelis did with the Mirage III) and other enhancements.
Perhaps someone wants to hypothesize?
Regards,
Ranger6
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Hi,
American Secret Projects gives this as the Grumman Design 118 (Pages 125-6). Two prototypes were ordered in 1956, but cancelled before any construction had begun.
ASP also states that the designation XF12F-1 had been assigned at different times to both the Super Tiger and the Model 118, the Super Tiger designation being semi-official.
Starviking
American Secret Projects gives this as the Grumman Design 118 (Pages 125-6). Two prototypes were ordered in 1956, but cancelled before any construction had begun.
ASP also states that the designation XF12F-1 had been assigned at different times to both the Super Tiger and the Model 118, the Super Tiger designation being semi-official.
Starviking
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pometablava said:Some bibliografic references:
Naval Fighters No 44: F11F-1F Supertiger - Grumman's Mach-2 International
American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945-1978. Tony Buttler
The F11F-1F (F11 with J79) was built, and even proposed to Japan. USN had no real interest since by then the F-4 was on the way, a much more capable and versatile aircraft.