Grumman XF5F-1 & XP-50 Skyrocket

The Skyrocket story was original­ly published in the American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS) Journal in 1989. More recently the story appeared as a two-part installment in the June and July 1994 issues of Aeroplane Monthly. The story was written by David Lucabaugh and Bob Martin with data and photos provided by Grumman's "Schoney" Schonenberg, Roger Seybel and Lois Lovisolo. They were further materially helped by CAPT W. E. Scarborough USN (Ret.) who provided additional data and loan of additional Grumman photos. The project was further aided logistically by Wayne Morris, who did most of the photo reproductions. What is most important is the fact that these individuals were able to save these documents and photos, as a project such as this would be impos­sible today with the demise of Grumman and the current unavail­ability of its history center files. The fear is that such historical data will be lost or destroyed, as was the case at North American.
Anyone having photos or other information on this, or any other naval or marine aircraft, may submit them for possible inclusion in future issues. Any material submitted will become the property of NAVAL FIGHTERS unless prior arrangement is made. Individuals are responsible for securi­ty clearance of any material before submission.

All of the comic book reading public during the 1940s followed the adventures of "Blackhawk" and his mighty men as they conquered the world of evil. Those of us with a mind-bent towards things aeronautical knew that it was not "Superman" or "Batman" who held the keys to a crime-free society, bring on "Blackhawk". Dressed in daring dark uniforms, the dashing figures of this 1940's version of the "A Team" were mounted on the very latest of aircraft. Through the paint brush the artist portrayed an entire squadron of snub-nosed twin-engined fighters, which those of us old enough to remember know that only a single actual aircraft existed for the artist to illustrate, the Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket.