AUBRY GRATTON COLLECTION
No. 10280. Convair 2 XF2Y-1 Sea Dart (137634) US Navy
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 5018

Convair 2 XF2Y-1 Sea Dart

12/31/2010. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "One of the most innovative single-seat fighters of the 'fifties, combining the then latest developments in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, the Model 2 Sea Dart was designed to meet a requirement for a seaplane fighter capable of Mach 0.95, but was expected to achieve Mach 1.5.

Utilizing a blended hull and hydro-skis, two prototype Sea Darts were ordered on January 19, 1951, under the designation XF2Y-1 and the BuNo 137634 and 137635. Twelve production examples were ordered on August 28, 1952 as F2Y-1s (BuNo 135762 to 135773), later the first four were redesignated YF2Y-1s, and another four F2Y-1s (BuNo 138530 to 138533) were added.

The Sea Dart was intended to be powered by two Westinghouse XJ46-WE-2 turbojets each offering 6,100 lb (2,767 kg) st with afterburning, but the first XF2Y-1, which flew on April 9, 1953, had two 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) st Westinghouse J34-WE-32s. Severe vibration of the hydro-skis while taxiing and poor high-speed performance led to the cancellation of one XF2Y-1 (BuNo 137635) and all F2Y-1s.

The power output forecast for the XJ46-WE-2 intended for the Sea Dart failed to measure up to expectations and indicated that a max speed no higher than Mach 0.99 was likely to be attained. The XF2Y-1 was initially flying with J34s and was later retrofitted with J46-WE-2s which also powered all three remaining YF2Y-1s. Limited trials were continued until 1956, when the entire program was abandoned. Fate of the individual (completed) aircraft:

Created December 31, 2010