Convair Model 44
| Convair Model 44 | |
|---|---|
| Type: | Fighter plane |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
The Convair Model 44 was a design for a carrier aircraft for the US Navy . It stayed with the conceptual design, as Grumman won the VFX tender.
history
After the Pentagon's attempt with the TFX program ( T actical F ighter E x perimental; a program for a multipurpose fighter aircraft that was to be procured across branches of the armed forces) failed, the FB-111 version of the F-111 was also available for the US Navy to be used on aircraft carriers , a new tender followed. In July 1968, the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) published the tender for the N aval F ighter E x perimental (VFX) program. A two-seater air superiority fighter with two engines and a top speed of Mach 2.2 was required . Convair's contribution to this tender was the Convair Model 44. Development components of the Convair Model 200 were incorporated into the design . In addition to the final winner, Grumman (Model 303E / F), North American Aviation (Model D323) also entered the tender with the only non- swivel-wing design . McDonnell (Model 225) and Grumman's designs had two rudders, the Convair and Vought (V-507) designs had one rudder. A 1: 1 model was built of the Vought LTV V-507 Vagabond . In the final round came McDonnell Douglas and Grumman. Grumman won the tender on January 14, 1969. Grumman's Model 303E / F was then given the designation F-14 Tomcat , and the first prototypes were designated YF-14.
technology
In contrast to the Grumman F-14, the Convair Model 44 only had one vertical stabilizer. Furthermore, the wing and pivot mechanism were less sophisticated than the Grumman design. Basically, it was a replica of the F-111 swivel mechanism and wing. The Convair 44 was a bit smaller, but heavier than the Grumman F-14 planned. With the Model 44, a 20 mm cannon should be installed in the front lower fuselage and four AIM-7 Sparrow guided missiles attached to the underside of the fuselage.
literature
- Robert E. Bradly: Convair Advanced Designs II , Specialty Press, ISBN 978-0-85979-170-0
Individual evidence
- ↑ Robert E. Bradly: Convair Advanced Designs II , Specialty Press, ISBN 978-0-85979-170-0