North American YF-93
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| YF-93 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| The XF-93A with NACA inlets | |
| Type | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | North American Aviation |
| Maiden flight | 24 January 1950 |
| Introduced | Experimental |
| Retired | 1956 |
| Primary users | NACA USAF |
| Number built | 2 |
| Unit cost | US$11.5 million for the program[1] |
| Variants | F-86 Sabre |
The North American YF-93 was an American fighter development of the F-86 Sabre that emerged as a radically different variant that received its own designation. Two were built and flown, but the project was eventually cancelled.
Contents |
[edit] Design and development
In 1947, North American Aviation began a design study, NA-157, to create a true "penetration fighter" to meet the requirements of a long-range version of its F-86A Sabre. In order to accommodate more fuel, a much larger F-86A was envisioned, eventually able to carry 1961 gal both internally and with two 200 gal underwing drop tanks. The new variant possessed a theoretical unrefuelled range of over 2000 miles, twice that of the standard production F-86A. The resultant fighter originally designated the F-86C was intended to compete with the XF-88 Voodoo and Lockheed XF-90 to fulfull the USAF's Penetration Fighter requirement for a bomber escort.
The F-86C was much larger and heavier, weighing in at 10,640 lb more than its antecedent. The increased weight and girth necessitated a dual-wheel main landing gear, increased wing area and a more powerful J48 rated at 6,250 lbs static thrust, with 8750 lbs thrust available in afterburner. With the SCR-720 search radar and six 20 mm cannons mounted in the nose where the air intake was on the F-86A, the engineers designed a novel set of flushmounted "NACA" inlets. A "coke bottle" waist was also incorporated in the fuselage.
In December 1947, The USAF ordered two prototypes of the North American model NA-157 and, considering the many changes to the F-86, redesignated the design as the YF-93A. Six months later, the initial contract was followed up with an order for 118 F-93A-NAs. In 1949, the production order was abruptly cancelled as priorities had shifted dramatically following the testing of the ground-breaking Boeing B-47 which reputedly would not need an escort due to its high speed capabilities. With the prototype YF-93As just coming off the production line, the USAF took over the project.
[edit] Testing
The prototypes serialled 47-317/318 began flight tests in 1950 and were entered in a runoff competition against the other penetration fighter projects, the XF-88 and XF-90 with the XF-88 Voodoo declared the winner of the competition. None of the projects would be ordered as escort fighters although the Voodoo later emerged as the F-101. The XF-93As were turned over to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) AMES facility for further testing before being utilized as chase aircraft until 1956. A change to more conventional side inlets surprisingly led to higher speeds, however, both aircraft were eventually surplused and scrapped.
[edit] Specifications (YF-93A)
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 44 ft 1 in (13.44 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 9 in (11.81 m)
- Height: 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
- Wing area: 306 ft² (28.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 14,035 lb (6,366 kg)
- Loaded weight: 21,610 lb (9,800 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney J48-P-6 turbojet, 8,750 lbf (38.9 kN)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 708 mph (1,132 km/h)
- Range: 2,000 mi (3,200 km)
- Service ceiling: 46,800 ft (14,268 m)
- Rate of climb: 11,960 ft/min (60.8 m/s)
- Wing loading: 71 lb/ft² (345 kg/m²)
- Thrust/weight: 0.4
Armament
- 6x 20 mm cannon (proposed, not fitted to the prototypes)
[edit] References
- ^ Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of US Air Force aircraft and missile systems, Volume 1, Post-World War Two Fighters, 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
- Davis, Larry. F-86 Sabre in action. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1992. ISBN 0-89747-282-9.
- Pace, Steve. X-Fighters: USAF Experimental and Prototype Fighters, XP-59 to YF-23. Oscela, Wisconsin: Motorbooks International, 1991. ISBN 0-87938-540-5.
- Sgariato, Nico and Ragni, Franco. U.S. Fighters of the Fifties. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-89747-090-7.
[edit] External link
- National Museum of the USAF: North American YF-93A Fact Sheet
- The F-86C/YF-93 "Sabre"
- North American F-86C/YF-93A
[edit] Related content
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
XF-90 - XF-91 - XF-92 - YF-93 - F-94 - YF-95 - YF-96
Timeline of aviation
Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable military accidents and incidents · Notable airline accidents and incidents · Famous aviation-related deaths
Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
