| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | 39657 |
| Military Code: | 49 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Ryan FR-1 Fireball |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Ryan FR-1 Fireball |
| Aircraft Version: | Ryan FR-1 Fireball |
| C/n (msn): | 11 |
| Operator Titles: | USA - Navy |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | ChinoMap |
| Region / Country: | California, United States |
| Airport Codes: | ICAO: KCNO IATA: CNO Local: CNO Other: - |
| Collection: | Planes of Fame Air Museum |
| Photo Date: | 3 December 2022 |
| Photo by: | Arjun Sarup |
| Photo ID: | 883032 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
Only extant Fireball out of 66 production aircraft on display at Planes of Fame Air Museum. The mixed-propulsion Fireball was powered by a 1,350 hp Wright R-1820-72W Cyclone radial engine in front and a 7.12 kN J31-GE-3 turbojet at the rear. Air was ducted from intakes in the wing root to the turbojet. The type equipped VF-66 "Firebirds" and VF-1E. BuNo 39657 went to NACA's Ames Research Center in 1945 for testing. After the USN took the carrier-based FR-1s out of service in 1947 due to structural issues, this aircraft was donated to Cal Poly SLO. The museum acquired it in 1967. This photo is copyright © Arjun Sarup, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 25 December 2025, and has since been viewed 17 times. |