Grumman's F-11 | The Forgotten Fighter of the 1950s

The Grumman F-11 Tiger is a fascinating, yet often forgotten, supersonic fighter jet from the 1950s. As a key evolution in US Navy aviation, it was developed as a carrier-based replacement for the F9F Cougar. The F-11 incorporated advanced aerodynamic concepts, most notably the Whitcomb Area Rule, enabling it to reach supersonic speeds. This made it the second Navy fighter to break the sound barrier. The Tiger's maiden flight was in 1954, and it entered service in 1956. The aircraft was agile, equipped with 20mm cannons and AIM-9 Sidewinders, and served with seven Navy squadrons. However, it faced significant challenges, including a limited range and engine reliability problems. As a result, it was retired from carrier operations by 1961, after just 199 units were built. Despite these challenges, the F-11 Tiger became notable for the bizarre incident in which it shot itself down. It continued to serve with the Blue Angels flight demonstration team until 1969, and later as an advanced trainer for supersonic familiarization. One of the missed opportunities in Navy aviation was the F11F-1F Super Tiger upgrade. Powered by the J79 engine, this version set records by reaching Mach 2.04 and an altitude of 76,939 feet. The Super Tiger had the potential to be the Navy's top fighter of its era, outperforming rivals like the F-8 Crusader. Despite favorable foreign evaluations and interest, its potential was never realized due to scandals and shifting priorities, leading to the project's cancellation. CONTENT 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Design Origins 04:36 First Prototype 05:36 Entering Service 08:27 Super Tiger 10:48 Final Service 12:12 Conclusion CORRECTION 09:17 should read 24 April, 1958 Support the Channel Join our Members & Merch shop for ad-free early access, exclusive military-themed discounts, and more perks: https://peacemaker.fashion _____________ Disclaimer _____________ Some original footage and recreated scenes (using simulators like DCS and War Thunder) may not be 100% accurate to the events depicted but have been used for illustrative and dramatic purposes where archival footage was unavailable or restricted by copyright. We aim to remain as historically accurate as possible given the available resources. We use synthetic narrator voices for clarity. Copyright Notice: This video may contain copyrighted material used under the "fair dealing" provisions (ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A, ss 42/103B) of the Australian Copyright Act for purposes of research, study, criticism, review, and news reporting. All copyrights remain with their respective owners. Our videos are created for educational and historical documentation purposes. About Us: We are three aviation enthusiasts who create documentaries, interviews, and video essays focused on Australian and international military aviation history. Our channel explores the stories of military aircraft, fighter pilots, air battles, and the evolution of air power from WWI to today. We do our own research but are not experts in any particular area, so corrections and suggestions are welcome.