Convair F2Y-1 Sea Dart

The Convair F2Y-1 Sea Dart was an American fighter‑damper that entered service in the late 1940s as the United States Navy’s first jet‑propelled, hydro‑skimming aircraft. Developed by Convair from the earlier XP-81 project, the Sea Dart first flew on 15 March 1947 and was commissioned in 1948. Its most distinctive feature was the ability to operate both on water and in the air; a broad, flat hull and retractable hydro‑skis allowed take‑off and landing on calm seas, while conventional jet control surfaces provided high‑speed performance. Powered by a single Westinghouse J30‑30 turbo‑jet producing 1,600 lbf thrust, the aircraft could reach 475 mph at sea level and climb to 40 000 ft, a remarkable achievement for a seaplane of the era. The Sea Dart employed a wooden‑filled foam core in the hull to reduce weight and prevent water intrusion, and its delta‑shaped tail provided stability during high‑speed runs. Though plagued by reliability problems and a fatal crash in 1949 that ended the program, the Sea Dart proved jet propulsion could be combined with amphibious capability, influencing later concepts such as the Soviet Yak‑38 and modern tilt‑rotor designs. Its brief career marked a bold step in naval aviation, showcasing the Navy’s willingness to explore technologies in the early jet age.

Convair

Convair F2Y-1 Sea Dart

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Design & Classification