Our Aircraft’s History

Grumman F-11F-1 “Tiger” (Bureau #141783; MSN 100) ~ The Grumman aircraft was manufactured at their facility in Bethpage, New York as a F-11F-1 and delivered to delivered to the US Navy on November 27, 1957.  As the Tiger was assigned to VF-33, Naval Air Station (NAS), Oceana, Virginia, she was then deployed to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Intrepid from February-August 1959 and from August 1960 to February 1961. Below are her further details:

  • March 1961 – Placed in storage at NAS Litchfield Park, Arizona
  • December 1961 – Moved for overhaul and repair at the Bureau of Naval Weapons (BuWeps), Cherry Point, North Carolina
  • July 1962 – Placed in storage at NAS, Litchfield Park, Arizona
  • November 1962 – Redesignated F-11A, November 30, 1962
  • January 1965 – Recovered for overhaul and repair at BuWeps, Cherry Point, North Carolina
  • March 1965 – Training Squadron (VT-26), NAS Chase Field, Beeville, Texas
  • November 1968 – Dropped from active inventory
  • June 1991 – Displayed on USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, New York, New York

In November of 2004, the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida put the Tiger on indefinite loan to MAPS Air Museum. She is currently being maintained by Crew Chief Jack Hastings.

Specifications/Performance

  • Role: Fighter
  • Manufacturer: Grumman
  • First flight: July 30, 1954
  • Introduction: 1956
  • Retired: 1961 (Carrier); 1967 (Training); 1969 (Blue Angels)
  • Produced: 1954-1959
  • Built: 200
  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 46 ft 11 in
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 7.5 in
  • Height: 13 ft 3 in
  • Empty weight: 13,810 lb
  • Max takeoff weight: 23,459 lb
  • Engine: 1 x Wright J65-W-18 turbojet, 7,400 lbf (w/afterburner 10,50 lbf)
  • Max speed: 753 mph at sea level
  • Cruise speed: 577 mph
  • Range: 1,275 mi
  • Service Ceiling: 49,000 ft

Armament, notable

  • Guns: 4 x .79 in Colt Mk 12 cannon (125 rounds each)
  • Rockets: Aero 6A or Aero 7A “Rocket Package”
  • Missilies: AIM-9 Sidewinder

Museum’s display note: displayed as an F-11F-1 with the (CV-11) USS Intrepid name

Designed to replace: F9F-6/7 “Cougar”

Replaced by: Vought F-8 “Crusader”