The Convair XF-92 was the first American delta-wing aircraft. The design was developed by Dr Alexander Lippisch of Germany before and during World War II. Working with captured data, the U. S. Air Force developed the idea further.

Its first flight was on September 18, 1948, at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Research from the XF-92A test program was used in the development of Convair's two later delta-winged interceptors, the F-102 Delta Dagger and the F-106 Delta Dart, as well as Convair's B-58 Hustler bomber.

The Convair XF-92A aircraft was powered by a Allison J-33-A turbo jet engine with an afterburner, and was unique in having America's first delta wing. The delta wing's large area (425 sq. ft), thin airfoil cross section, low weight, and structural strength made this a great combination for a supersonic airplane. The Air Forces had intended this aircraft to be a testbed for a first all-weather interceptor.

After the interceptor failed to materialize, the NACA High-Speed Flight Research Station assumed the flight testing in 1953. NACA pilot A. Scott Crossfield flew all 25 flights over the six month test period. The XF-92A had a bad pitch-up problem which was solved eventually by adding different wing-fence combinations. The research on the XF-92A lead to the development of F-102 fighter and other similar aircraft.

• Some of the above text taken from NASA Dryden webpage. (http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/XF-92A/index.html)

Specifications (XF-92A)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 42 ft 6 in (12.99 m)
• Wingspan: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
• Height: 17 ft 9 in (5.37 m)
• Wing area: 425 ft² (39.5 m²)
• Empty: 9,078 lb (4,126 kg)
• Loaded: 14,608 lb (6,640 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Allison J33-A-29 turbojet, 7,500 lb (33.4 kN) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 718 mph (1,149 km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Service ceiling: 50,750 ft (15,472 m)
• Rate of climb: 8,135 ft/min (2,480 m/min)
• Wing loading: 34 lb/ft² (168 kg/m²)
• Thrust-to-Weight: 1:1.1

Armament

Never installed

External links

• USAF Museum: XF-92A (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/fighter/f92.htm)

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

• List of experimental aircraft

Designation sequence: F-89 - XF-90 - XF-91 - XF-92 - YF-93 - F-94 - YF-95

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