Grumman F4F swept wings project

Luftwaffe1946 · May 03, 2026, 06:07:44 AM

Grumman F4F swept wings project in 1946/47.

Old Wombat · May 03, 2026, 08:24:48 AM

Oh ... Kay ...

Awesome build!

But weird! Very weird!

sandiego89 · May 03, 2026, 09:30:00 AM

Great "well used" paint job! nice work

Luftwaffe1946 · May 03, 2026, 10:04:35 AM

Quote from: Old Wombat on May 03, 2026, 08:24:48 AMOh ... Kay ...

Awesome build!

But weird! Very weird!

Luftwaffe1946 · May 03, 2026, 10:05:56 AM

Quote from: sandiego89 on May 03, 2026, 09:30:00 AMGreat "well used" paint job! nice work

For the wings I used real aluminum!!!!!

DeeBob · May 03, 2026, 10:51:57 AM

Magnificent!

Luftwaffe1946 · May 03, 2026, 11:29:30 AM

Quote from: DeeBob on May 03, 2026, 10:51:57 AMMagnificent!

jcf · May 03, 2026, 12:04:58 PM

Nice.

The F4F was one of Grumman's proposals for the USN low-speed handling of swept-wings research project. Bell was selected with the L-39, two ex-USAAF P-63As, designated the L-39-1 (BuNo 90060) and L-39-2 (BuNo 90061). Note that the designation L-39, has led some folks to conclude that they're modified P-39s rather than P-63s.

Tommy Thomason Bell L-39

This was Grumman's other proposal, an all new two-seat aircraft that could be configured with swept or straight wings.

Andrew Gorman · May 03, 2026, 12:33:12 PM

I'd seen the swept wing P-63 test mules before, but not this one. Was it an actual proposal for production, or another test?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_L-39

Joe CalPo · May 03, 2026, 01:22:06 PM

Oh my stars and garters.

Luftwaffe1946 · May 03, 2026, 01:37:12 PM

Quote from: Joe C-P on May 03, 2026, 01:22:06 PMOh my stars and garters.