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.

the sole surviving Fireball. Too bad it is tucked away a bit in this hangar

Dual powered naval fighter with a 1350 h.p. Wright R-1820 and a 1600 lbs thrust GE J-31 in rear fuselage for 'dash to target'. Most examples ordered were cancelled. This aircraft flew with the NACA Ames test facility at Moffett Field California - hence the 'TEST' marking on fuselage. Bought by Ed Maloney in 1967 and stored at Ontario. Later restored at Chino.