Ryan FR-1 Fireball

[Robert Porter]

66 of these were made by March 1945 but never saw combat. This was the Navy's answer to the P-59. It used the propellor engine for takeoffs as jet engines of the time were rather sluggish to build velocity. Once airborn it switched to the Jet engine and the prop could be feathered.

 

[Wurger]

 

[wuzak]

I wonder, did any live up to their name and become a fireball?

 

[GregP]

We have one and it is restorable. We even have the Erection and Maintenance Manual, so you never know. Quite an interesting aircraft.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!

 

[johnbr]

Fireball Fr1 Ryan Sandiegoairandspacemuseum Stock Photos & Fireball Fr1 Ryan Sandiegoairandspacemuseum Stock Images - Alamy
Fireball being made

in 1945

 

[Robert Porter]

That is pretty cool! I would assume it was designated a single engine fighter as only one or the other would be in use at a time? Made me wonder however.

 

[johnbr]

Tails Through Time: The Ryan FR-1 Fireball and F2R Dark Shark: An Evolutionary Dead-End
Info here

 

[Old Wizard]

 

[Wayne Little]

Interesting.....

 

[polo1112]

Beautiful pictures of a very elegant aircraft.
Fantastic!

 

[fubar57]

Nifty looking little beastie

 

[johnbr]

Ryan FR-1 Fireball cutaway

 

[johnbr]

 

[Wurger]

 

[johnbr]

 

[Capt. Vick]

View attachment 498234

I believe what we are seeing here are Ryan Firebee's on the production line?

 

[swampyankee]

That is pretty cool! I would assume it was designated a single engine fighter as only one or the other would be in use at a time? Made me wonder however.

I believe that the piston engine was used for cruise, then the jet was started when the needed the extra performance or if the piston engine stopped making noise. Apparently, they were equipped with a feathering prop, so they could fly on the jet, alone.

If I recall, they were withdrawn from service pretty quickly due to structural problems.

 

[Wildr1]

 

[johnbr]