HISTORY
DISTINCTION
The Museum's FR-1 was manufactured in San Diego, California in March 1945. Of the sixty-six production FR-1 “Fireball” aircraft built, the Museum’s aircraft (11th FR-1 built) is the only surviving example. In 1945, it was one of six FR-1 aircraft sent to the Ames Research Center of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). Tests on those aircraft included perfecting wing dihedral and aileron shape, as well as exploring jet engine tilt options – all designed to help Ryan improve the FR-1. In 1947, after the US Navy took the FR-1s out of service, this aircraft was donated to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for instructional purposes. It was acquired by the Museum in 1967. This black and white USN photograph of the Museum's FR-1 (BuNo 39657) was taken at Naval Air Station Anacostia, Washington, D.C. on September 26, 1945.
SPECIFICATIONS
Status: Static Display |
Manufacturer: Ryan Aeronautical Company |
Year: 1945 |
Model: FR-1 Fireball |
Registration Number: |
Serial Number: 39657 |
Crew: 1 |
Max T/O Weight: 10,595 lb. |
Span: 40 ft. 0 in. |
Length: 32 ft. 4 in. |
Height: 13 ft. 7 in. |
Maximum Speed: 426 mph |
Cruise Speed: 153 mph |
Rate of Climb: 29.7 ft/min (piston engine only) |
Power Plant: 1 x GE J-31 turbojet with 1,600 lbs. thrust and 1 x Wright R-1820-72W radial engine of 1,425 hp. |
Range: 1,030 miles |
Service Ceiling: 43,100 ft. |
Armament: Four 0.50 caliber machine guns and provisions for bombs and missiles |