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DFRC Photo # |
Photo Date |
Image Description |
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XF-92A Photo Collection Contact Sheet |
E-860 |
Jan 1953 |
XF-92A on ramp |
E-866 |
1952 |
XF-92A on ramp |
E-953 |
1953 |
XF-92A on ramp |
E-954 |
1953 |
XF-92A on ramp, side view |
E-17346 |
1957 |
XF-92A in flight |
E-1005 |
1953 |
XF-92A Engineer pre-flight |
E-960 |
1952 |
NACA Aircraft in hangar 1952 - clockwise from front center: YF-84A, D-558-I, D-558-II, B-47,
X-1 ship 2, and XF-92A. Behind the B-47 L-R: X-4, F-51, D-558-I, and X-5 |
E-2889 |
August 4, 1953 |
NACA research aircraft - Bell X-1A, D-558-1, XF-92A, X-5, D-558-II, X-4, & X-3 |
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.
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