The Tiger was the Navy’s first supersonic fighter. A key design feature was the waisting of the fuselage just behind the main wings (known as area-rule). Viewed from above, the shape looks like an old glass soda bottle. This feature reduced drag at supersonic speeds. The folding wing tips were necessary for storage aboard aircraft carriers. The small tubing that runs along the left side of the aircraft delivered smoke-generating oil into the exhaust of the jet engine for airshow performances.

Some 200 Tigers were built and served in six US Navy Fighter Squadrons. The Navy accepted this aircraft on April 2, 1958. It flew with Fighter Squadron VF-33 from the aircraft carrier USS INTREPID on various cruises from 1958-1961. Tigers began to phase out of front-line use in 1959. This Tiger was in and out of Navy storage facilities from 1961-1965, then served with Training Squadron VT-26 at Chase Field near Beeville, Texas. In 1962, the Tiger’s designation was changed from F11F-1 to F-11A. The aircraft briefly entered storage again in 1967 until flown by the Blue Angels.

Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, Bethpage, Long Island, New York.
First flown: July 30, 1954. Production completed in December 1958.

Historical Note: During the F11F flight test program, on September 21, 1956, Grumman test pilot Tom Attridge shot himself down by flying
into shells he had fired only moments before while in supersonic flight. The press used the incident to dramatize the speeds that new jets were capable of flying.

History of US Navy BuNo. 141811
The Navy accepted BuNo 141811 at Bethpage, Long Island, New York on February 4, 1958.
From February 11 - February 15, 1958, it was assigned to FASTRON 5.
From February 15 - March 19, 1961, it was assigned to VF-33, NAS Oceana, VA, and made deployments aboard the USS INTREPID.
From March 1961 - February 24, 1962, it was in storage at Litchfield Park, AZ.
From February 24, 1962 - April 26, 1962, it was with O&R BUWEPS at Cherry Point, NC.
From April 26 , 1962 - February 18, 1965, it was in storage at Litchfield Park, AZ.
From February 18, 1965 - April 14, 1965, it was back to O&R BUWEPS at Cherry Point, NC.
From April 14, 1965 - May 2, 1965, it was with TRARON 23, at Kingsville, TX.May 2, 1965 it returned to O&R BUWEPS at Cherry Point, NC.
Between May 1965 & July 1965 it was returned to TRARON 23, at Kingsville, TX.
From July 1965 - November 22, 1966, it was with TRATON 26, Chase Field, TX.
From November 22, 1966 - January 3, 1969, it was assigned to NABTC at Pensacola, FL. The US Navy Blue Angels flew this aircraft during their 1968 season. Its solo pilot was Navy Lieutenant Hal Loney.
From January 3, 1969 - May 1969, It was located at NAS Olathe, KS.
The University of Kansas (KU) acquired 141811 in May 1969 for use in their Aerospace Engineering Department, on site at the Lawrence Municipal Airport. KU had the aircraft until June 1980, when it was transferred to Combat Air Museum and airlifted by a CH-54 Tarhe (Skycrane) helicopter for the Lawrence Airport to Forbes Field.

This aircraft is on Conditional Transfer to Combat Air Museum from the Kansas State Agency for Federal Surplus Property
and the General Services Administration

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Manufacturer: Grumman
Basic Role: Day fighter
Crew: One
Engines: One 7,540 lb. s.t. (33.5kN) Wright J65-W-18 turbojet.
Maximum speed: 750 mph (1,210km/hr) at sea level
Cruising Speed: 577mph (931km/hr) @ 38,000 ft (11,580m)
Max. Range: 1,270 miles (2,044 km)
Service Ceiling: 41,900 ft (12,770 m)
Wingspan: 31 ft 7½ in (9.6m)
Length: 46 ft 11¼ in (14.3m)
Height: 13 ft 2¾ in (4.0m)
Wing area: 250sq ft (23.2sq m)
Weight (empty): 13,428 lbs. (6,091kg)
Weight (gross): 22,160 lbs. (10,052kg)
Armament: Four fixed forward-firing 20 mm guns; four underwing. Sidewinder 1A or 1C air-to-air missiles
Serial number: US Navy BuNo. 141811