High Gallery
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U. S.
Military Aircraft Grumman AF GUARDIAN Photo By Coll B. Thouanel |
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Thoughts of a TBF/TBM Avenger successor began in 1943, and after two false starts this crystallized as an order for three ATB3-1 prototype in February 1945. This G-70 design was a two seat monoplane, and to proved high dash speed the 2,300-hp R-2800-34W radial was supplemented by a 1,600-hp thrust Westinghouse 19xB-2B turbojet in the rear fuselage. the next XTB3F-1 flew in December 1946, but the pure torpedo bomber was then abandoned. The US Navy needed an anti submarine type, and the third prototype was completed as the XTB3F-1S, with the turbojet replaced by electronic equipment. It also had accommodations for a third crew member, and APS-20 radar in an under fuselage radar dome. This variant first flew in November 1958, and was adopted as the AF-2. The type served only between 1950 and 1955, an operated in pairs of one hunter and one killer plane. |
TECHNICAL DATA
| Description | Specifications |
| Manufacturer: Grumman | Length: 43 ft. 4 in. |
| First Flight: February, 1945 | Height: 16 ft. 2 in. |
| Model: AF-25 | Wing Span: 60 ft. 8 in. |
| Crew: Three | Wing Area: 560.0 sq. ft. |
| Nickname: Guardian | Empty Weight: 14,580 lb. |
| Basic Role: Carrierborne anti submarine plane. | Max. Weight: 22,500 lb. |
| Other Versions: Af-1S the killer model with APS-20 radar under the starboard wing. AF-2 the hunter model with a four man crew and APS-20 search radar. AF-2S an improved killer model with enhanced electronics including a magnetic detector. | Armament: Up to 4,000 lb of disposable stores. |
| Principal User: USA |
Propulsion |
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Performance |
Power Plant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48W Double Wasp radial piston engine. |
| Range: 1,500 miles. | Horsepower: 2,400-hp. |
| Max. Speed: 317 mph. | No. Of Engines: One |
| Ceiling: 32, 500 ft. | |
| Climb Rate: 1,850 per minute. |