Republic XF-91

Republic XF-91
Land	Norge , Norge
Rolle	Prototype avskjæringsfly
Første flytur	9. mai 1949
Bygget	2

Den Republikken XF-91 Thunderceptor (opprinnelig betegnet XP-91) er en prototype av avskjæringsfly med blandet fremdrift, utviklet av Republic Aviation. Flyet ville bruke en jetmotor for de fleste flyvninger, og en klynge av fire små rakettmotorer for ekstra skyvekraft under klatring og avskjæring. Designet var stort sett foreldet da det ble fullført på grunn av den raskt økende ytelsen til moderne jetmotorer, og bare to prototyper ble bygget. En av disse var det første amerikanske jagerflyet som overskred Mach 1 i planflyging.

Kilde: Republic XF-91 på Wikipedia

Republic XF-91
Fotografer	John Heck, Vladimir Yakubov
Lokalisering	Nasjonalt luft- og rommuseum, Washington DC
Bilder	99

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 01

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 02

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 03

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 04

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 05

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 06

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 07

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 08

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor 09

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General Characteristics and Role

The Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor was an experimental prototype interceptor aircraft developed for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in the late 1940s. Its primary role was to explore the concept of a high-performance, short-range interceptor that could rapidly climb to high altitudes and intercept enemy bombers. To achieve this, the aircraft was equipped with a revolutionary mixed-propulsion system combining a turbojet engine for cruise and four rocket engines for bursts of acceleration during combat or climb. The XF-91 is perhaps best known for its uniquely designed inverse tapered wings, a feature intended to mitigate Mach tuck and improve low-speed handling.

Property	Typical Value (XF-91)
Rolle	Experimental Mixed-Power Interceptor
National Origin	USA
Produsenten	Republic Aviation Company
First Flight	9. mai 1949
Mannskapet	1 (Pilot)
Lengde	13.23 m (43 ft 5 in)
Vingespenn	9.51 m (31 ft 2 in)
Gross Weight	8,870 kg (19,550 lb)

Propulsion and Aerodynamics

Primary Engine: 1 x General Electric J47-GE-3 turbojet engine (in the rear fuselage).
Turbojet Thrust: 23.35 kN (5,200 lbf) (dry).
Auxiliary Power: 4 x Reaction Motors XLR11 liquid-fueled rocket engines (mounted in the tail above and below the jet exhaust).
Rocket Thrust: Approx. 26.7 kN (6,000 lbf) total for short bursts.
Maximum Speed: Mach 1.71 (achieved in a later powered flight). It was the first U.S. fighter to exceed Mach 1 in level flight using a mixed-propulsion system.
Inverse Taper Wing: The wing chord was wider at the tip than at the root (the inverse of conventional taper). This arrangement maintained high lift at the tips, helping to prevent tip stall and improve control at high angles of attack.
Landing Gear: Featured a unique bicycle-style main landing gear with two main wheels side-by-side at the center of the fuselage, supported by small outrigger wheels under the wingtips.

Program Outcome and Legacy

Technical Success: The XF-91 proved the feasibility of using rocket augmentation for performance bursts and demonstrated the viability of the inverse taper wing concept for high-speed flight control.
Cancellation: Despite its technical achievements, the program was canceled in 1952. The development of more powerful, conventional turbojet engines (which eliminated the need for complex, short-duration rocket power) and the rise of the superior all-jet F-104 Starfighter made the mixed-power interceptor obsolete.
Legacy: The inverse taper wing design, while not adopted, was an important piece of research. The aircraft’s testing provided vital data on high-Mach flight and supersonic stability.
Preservation: The sole remaining prototype is preserved and displayed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.