Near Hickory in Burke County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree"
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
1. Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" Marker
The Hickory Aviation Museum's XF15C-1 Stingeree, Bureau #01215 is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation.
Role Fighter, Aircraft Carrier Based
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
First flight 27 February 1945
Status Never advanced beyond prototype
Primary users United States Navy
Produced 1944-1945
Number built 3
Propulsion 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp 18 Cylinder Air-Cooled Radial Piston Engine and 1 x Allis Chalmers J36 Centrufugal Flow Turbojet
The XF15C-1 is an anomaly in aviation and may be the best example of the transition from propellers to jets. Manufactured by Curtiss, it was designed around the best and most powerful prop engine; the new jet was applied as well for increased performance. Three aircraft were built, the first crashed in testing, the second was scrapped, and this is the only example left in the world.
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 43 ft 8 in (13.32 m)
Wingspan: 48 ft (15 m)
Width: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m) wings folded
Height: 15 ft 3 in (4.65 m) wings spread; 17 ft (5.2 m) wingsfolded.
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Wing area: 400 ft² (37 m²)
Empty weight: 12,648 lb (5,737 kg)
Loaded weight: 16,630 lb (7,543 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 18,698 lb (8,841 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34W Double Wasp 18 cylinder air cooled radial engine, 2,100 hp (1,567kW). 1x Allis Chalmers J36 centrifugal flow turbojet, 2,700 lbf (12kN) thrust.
Propeller: 4 bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed fully feathering propeller, 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) diameter.
Performance
Maximum speed: 469 mph both engines at 25,300 ft (7,700 m)
Combat radius: 325 mi (523 km)
Ferry Range: 1,385 mi (2,229 km)
Service ceiling:
41,800 ft (12,700 km)
Rate of Climb: 5,020 ft/min (25.5 m/s)
Armament
Guns: 4 x 20 mm (0.787 in) wing mounted cannons with 800 rounds.
Rockets: 8 x 5 inch rockets
Bombs: 2 x 1000 lb bombs
Erected by Hickory Aviation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is February 27, 1945.
Location. 35° 44.484′ N, 81° 23.364′ W. Marker is near Hickory, North Carolina, in Burke County. It is on 9th Avenue Drive Northwest 0.6 miles west of 24th
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
2. Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" and Marker
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 "Corsair" II (here, next to this marker); Northrop F-5 "Tiger II" (a few steps from this marker); North American FJ-3 "Fury" (a few steps from this marker); Grumann F-9 "Cougar" (a few steps from this marker); Republic F-105 "Thunderchief"
Photographed by Mark Parker, November 14, 2025
3. Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingeree" side view
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 24, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
