North American FJ-1 Fury
North American Aviation · United States · first flew 1946 · fighter
The North American FJ-1 Fury was the US Navy's first operational carrier-based jet fighter, a straight-wing aircraft that bridged the gap between piston-era and swept-wing jet aviation. Although limited in numbers and quickly superseded, it proved the viability of jet operations from carrier decks.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Straight-wing carrier jet with circular nose intake and flush fuselage engine |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Straight-wing carrier jet with circular nose intake and flush fuselage engine
- Early jet-era profile with straight tapered wing and conventional tail
- US Navy carrier aircraft with tailhook and folding wingtips
The FJ-1's straight wing and round nose intake contrast sharply with the later swept-wing FJ-2 Fury; it resembles a navalized early-jet trainer more than a combat aircraft.
Specifications
- The North American FJ-1 Fury has a length of 10.49 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.63 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 880 km/h (547 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The FJ-1 first flew in September 1946 and entered Navy service in 1948 with VF-5A, making it the first jet squadron to deploy operationally aboard a US carrier. Only 33 aircraft were built; the type's straight wing was already becoming obsolescent as swept-wing designs matured, and the FJ-1 was soon replaced.
Variants
The FJ-1 had no significant sub-variants; its swept-wing successor, the FJ-2/3/4 Fury series, was essentially a different aircraft derived from the F-86 Sabre.
Where you'll see it
Served briefly with the US Navy from 1948 to 1949 in first-line service before transition to reserve units; it was never exported.
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- North American B-45 Tornado
- North American F-82 Twin Mustang
- North American F-86 Sabre
- North American AJ Savage
- Avia S-92
- Bell X-1
- Commonwealth CA-15
- Hughes XF-11
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