Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Grumman F-11F (F-11A) Tiger

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 5, 2022

1. Grumman F-11F (F-11A) Tiger Marker

Inscription.

Grumman F-11F (F-11A) Tiger. . , The F11F Tiger was a supersonic, carrier-based fighter jet developed in the 1950s for the U.S. Navy. The Tiger's fuselage implemented an aerodynamic principle called the area rule. The pinched-waist shape of the fuselage made the airplane narrower in the middle and wider forward and aft. This special shape reduced drag and enabled the Tiger to attain supersonic speed., Tiger production was short-lived. Only 201 examples were built between 1954 and 1958. Newer designs with superior performance made the Tiger obsolete as a frontline fighter. By 1959, Tigers began to be relegated to training and reserve squadrons., Grumman developed an improved Tiger with a more powerful engine. Only two prototypes of the F11F-1F Super Tiger were built. The Super Tiger set speed and altitude records, but engineers questioned the structural strength of the aircraft and the project was canceled., The Tiger continued to serve in another way. The Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, flew Tigers from 1957 through 1968. The airplane on display served as Blue Angel 5 from 1961 through 1963. It was flown by just one pilot, Lt. Lew Chatham., During a Tiger test flight in September 1956, a Grumman pilot shot himself down. While performing a dive, he caught up to his own cannon fire, which damaged his plane. The pilot survived the ensuing emergency landing., Tigers were flown from Intrepid from 1959 through 1960.,

Length: 47 feet (14.3 m) , Wingspan: 31 feet 7 inches (9.6 m) , Height: 13 feet 3 inches (4 m) , Empty Weight: 13,810 pounds (6,277 kg) , Max Weight: 23,459 pounds (10,663 kg) , Top Speed: 727 miles per hour (1,170 kph) , Ceiling: 49,000 feet (14,900 m) , Crew: One , Armament: Four 20mm cannons, four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

, [Captions:] , The distinctive pinched-waist design, developed by aeronautical engineer Richard T. Whitcomb, reduced drag and made the Tiger capable of flying beyond the speed of sound., A Tiger, fueled and armed, is brought up to Intrepid's flight deck for launch on the forward aircraft elevator in 1959.

The F11F Tiger was a supersonic, carrier-based fighter jet developed in the 1950s for the U.S. Navy. The Tiger's fuselage implemented an aerodynamic principle called the area rule. The pinched-waist shape of the fuselage made the airplane narrower in the middle and wider forward and aft. This special shape reduced drag and enabled the Tiger to attain supersonic speed.

Tiger production was short-lived. Only 201 examples were built between 1954 and 1958. Newer designs with superior performance made the Tiger obsolete as a frontline fighter. By 1959, Tigers began to be relegated to training and reserve squadrons.

Grumman developed an improved Tiger with a more powerful engine. Only two prototypes of the F11F-1F Super Tiger were built. The Super Tiger set speed and altitude records, but engineers questioned the structural strength of the aircraft and the project was canceled.

The Tiger continued to serve in another way. The Navy's flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, flew Tigers from 1957 through 1968. The airplane on display served as Blue Angel 5 from 1961 through 1963. It was flown by just one pilot, Lt. Lew Chatham.

During a Tiger test flight in September 1956, a Grumman pilot shot himself down. While performing a dive, he caught up to his own cannon fire, which damaged his plane.

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

The pilot survived the ensuing emergency landing.

Tigers were flown from Intrepid from 1959 through 1960.

Length: 47 feet (14.3 m)
Wingspan: 31 feet 7 inches (9.6 m)
Height: 13 feet 3 inches (4 m)
Empty Weight: 13,810 pounds (6,277 kg)
Max Weight: 23,459 pounds (10,663 kg)
Top Speed: 727 miles per hour (1,170 kph)
Ceiling: 49,000 feet (14,900 m)
Crew: One
Armament: Four 20mm cannons, four AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

[Captions:]
The distinctive pinched-waist design, developed by aeronautical engineer Richard T. Whitcomb, reduced drag and made the Tiger capable of flying beyond the speed of sound.

A Tiger, fueled and armed, is brought up to Intrepid's flight deck for launch on the forward aircraft elevator in 1959.

Erected by Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Education • Entertainment • War, Cold • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1956.

Location. 40° 45.86′ N, 73° 59.994′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 5, 2022

2. Grumman F-11F (F-11A) Tiger Marker

in Hell's Kitchen. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 12th Avenue (New York State Route 9A) and West 46th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 549 12th Ave, New York NY 10019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation (here, next to this marker); Grumman A-6E Intruder (here, next to this marker); Grumman F9F-8 (AF-9J) Cougar (a few steps from this marker); General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed A-12 (a few steps from this marker); Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir (a few steps from this marker); Grumman (WF-2) E-1B Tracer (a few steps from this marker); Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 78 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 9, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.