Specifications
Year: 1946
Status: Cancelled
Manufacturer(s): Hughes Aircraft - USA
Production: 2
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE); X-Plane;
Status: Cancelled
Manufacturer(s): Hughes Aircraft - USA
Production: 2
Capabilities: Reconnaissance (RECCE); X-Plane;
Crew: 2
Length: 65.42 ft (19.94 m)
Width: 101.35 ft (30.89 m)
Height: 23.16 ft (7.06 m)
Weight (Empty): 37,038 lb (16,800 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 58,202 lb (26,400 kg)
Length: 65.42 ft (19.94 m)
Width: 101.35 ft (30.89 m)
Height: 23.16 ft (7.06 m)
Weight (Empty): 37,038 lb (16,800 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 58,202 lb (26,400 kg)
Power: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360-31 radial piston engines developing 3,000 horsepower each.
Speed: 447 mph (720 kph; 389 kts)
Ceiling: 44,012 feet (13,415 m; 8.34 miles)
Range: 4,971 miles (8,000 km; 4,320 nm)
Ceiling: 44,012 feet (13,415 m; 8.34 miles)
Range: 4,971 miles (8,000 km; 4,320 nm)
Operators: United States (cancelled)
The XF-11 was of a traditional twin-boom design, popularized in other forms such as the Northrop P-61 Black Widow and the aforementioned Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The first of two prototypes featured contra-rotating propeller systems on each engine, offering up a great deal of power and performance potential at the cost of increased maintenance and production times. The X-11 featured a powered tricycle landing gear system which proved successful in other designs during the Second world War. The fuselage was constructed of all metal with a two-man crew - the pilot and a radio operator - in a center-fuselage nacelle with complete cabin pressurization for high-altitude capability. Pratt & Whitney brand engines were selected to power the design and these powerplants would turn two four-bladed propeller systems with variable pitch settings. With the Beverly Hills crash blamed on engine failure, the second XF-11 prototype was engineered with traditional non-contra-rotating propeller blade systems.
By all respects, the XF-11 performed admirably well considering the dramatic series of setbacks to the project. Stability and control at high speeds was especially noteworthy though exception was made to the low-altitude stability and performance the system encouraged. A complicated aircraft to fly when compared to others of this type, the XF-11 was nonetheless a capable design in most respects.
Pitted against the Republic XF-12, the XF-11 was deemed as too costly to maintain and produce along with the complications inherent in the system's design. Even with the XF-12 having an edge, the United States Air Force ultimately went with the Boeing produced RB-50 reconnaissance aircraft, citing its respectable range and reconnaissance capabilities equal to that of either XF offering with a lesser price tag.
Armament
None.
Variants / Models
• XF-11 - Original Series Designation; 2 examples produced with the first offering featuring contra-rotating blades and the second with traditional propeller blade assemblies.
• XR-11 - Later Designation
