Grumman's XF5F Skyrocket

[kaptainkaos]

I’m an USN/USMC flight test engineer. I’ve worked a number of Grumman aircraft. To this day we still refer to them as Grumman Ironworks because everything they build is sturdy to say the least.

[tedthoman]

In the left-overs from an estate sale, my friend recovered 30-odd dog-eared models of WWII era military and racing aircraft,
most sans props, ailerons, rudders, etc. Many of them appear to be hand-crafted kits of wood, foam and gesso... Among them there is
a model of the XF5F Skyrocket, [ missing a few parts ]. A local air museum has some information about this rare bird,
but your video really is great in putting it in context w/ aircraft development during the pre-WWII era of round engines.
Thank you for a beautifully-done

[harrykeel]

With a rate of climb of four thousand feet per minute, it might have been a game changer in the early stages against the zero.

[jerrewilliams]

Gosh! I recognized the Blackhawk plane from the first of your program and wondered why the plane wasn't used or famous. Didn't even remember the name of the comic, just the plane. Best Christmas Present - 2 funnybooks and a candy bar!

[edclark]

Most excellent video on the Skyrocket, much deserved !!!!😊

[jebsails]

In a early WWII aviation magazine, I saw an ad for the AT-9, which had a very similar configuration. It was billed as an advanced trainer for multi engine aircraft (bombers?). As I recall that configuration led to a number of problems, including withdrawal from service and scrap heap. Great video. Narragansett Bay

[Chongo_]

The Army Skyrocket looked like a retro warthog..

[Paughco]

Cool, man! Glad you mentioned the Blackhawks. HAWKAAA!!

[chuckw]

For the record, the first letter (or two for multi-mission) in the designation is for the mission type. e.g. F for Fighter, O for Observation, S for Scout, B for Bomber, etc. Multi-mission aircraft had two letters, e.g. SBD (Scout Bomber Douglas) or TBF (Torpedo Bomber Grumman).

[kevxttj]

I always liked the design and the idea of the alt history of it's success as a naval fighter.

[Axgoodofdunemaul]

At last, the ID of the Blackhawk airplanes of my comic-reading youth in 1948-1951 have been clarified! Even my dad didn't know what they were. But they sure taught me and my pals how to draw airplanes. Will Eisner was one of America's greatest comic artists. Those of you who grew up in military families in early Cold War 1 will remember him as the master cartoonist who illustrated the US Army's P.M. magazine. (We're in Cold War 2 now. Lotsa luck, boys, same as I had in the other one.)

[richardlincoln]

Another fine episode, very interesting.
Thanks for sharing and Best Wishes to You and Your Family.

[dougscott]

I've always thought that the Grumman XF5F was a killer design and I seem to recall seeing a lot about them when I was growing up in the 1960's.💯

[ditzydoo]

The first time I'd ever seen an image of the XF5F I immediately though. the Genisus of the Blackhawk comic series started here. the Blackhawks (created in August 1941) operate from a hidden base known only as Blackhawk Island, fly Grumman XF5F Skyrocket fighter aircraft, and shout their battle cry of "Hawk-a-a-a!" as they descend from the skies to fight tyranny and oppression.

[lightnervejm]

XF5F, the missing piece! Thanks Brian!

[dennisdose]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that sees an F5F Skyrocket and thinks, "Blackhawks!"
With that rate of climb and decent speed, it might have been a good fighter.

[tireballastserviceofflorid]

Friendly suggestion. Instead of referring to it as the torque effect exclusively. It's referred to as P factor in aviation. Get that wrong, and your instructor won't let you fly that day. Nice video and really cool plane.

[Curiosity-NZ]

I have a lot of information on this aircraft including technical documents. As I was looking at building a replica of this particular aircraft, but as the long nose variant. If the various Governnent departs had just left Grumman alone to get on with the task at hand this aircraft would have gone to both the Navy and the Marines. It would have been a real game changer. But due to the multiple demands being made and the changes to the original design to meet these needs ruin an excellent aircraft.

[kurtpena]

Blackhawk - Fearless Champions of Freedom!

[wernerschulte]

An excellent video ! Have forgotten the time when I watched it.