Naval Aircraft Factory XN5N-1

Naval Aircraft Factory XN5N-1

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09/30/2007. Remarks by Jack Mckillop: "In April 1938, the Navy brass told the Naval Aircraft Factory (NAF) that they desired a single-engine, two-seat training aircraft of rugged construction that would not have any tendency toward flat, uncontrollable spins. Design work began shortly thereafter but slowed in the spring of 1939 when American began gearing up its defense forces as a result of events in Europe. NAF did not have enough engineers and draftsman to handle this project and some were being reassigned to Washington. Another problem was that the work of the NAF was being directed to research and development rather than designing and building aircraft. Work continued and the one and only XN5N-1 made its first flight in the spring of 1941.

This aircraft was unique in that it was intended as a primary trainer but was not a biplane. In May 1941, it went to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for ten days of test flights. The pilots at Pensacola reported that this new aircraft was superior to the NAF N3N-1 and N3N-3 and the Stearman biplane primary trainers. In July 1941, officials at the NAF learned that the aircraft would not go into production because the Navy had determined that they did not need any more primary trainers, it could use versions of Army aircraft as intermediate trainers and finally, aircraft construction at the NAF was to be curtailed. The XN5N-1 underwent several modifications during World War II including the installation of a canopy in 1943 and the aircraft was used for glider towing tests at the NAF."


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09/30/2007. Remarks by Jack Mckillop: "In April 1938, the Navy brass told the Naval Aircraft Factory (NAF) that they desired a single-engine, two-seat training aircraft of rugged construction that would not have any tendency toward flat, uncontrollable spins. Design work began shortly thereafter but slowed in the spring of 1939 when American began gearing up its defense forces as a result of events in Europe. NAF did not have enough engineers and draftsman to handle this project and some were being reassigned to Washington. Another problem was that the work of the NAF was being directed to research and development rather than designing and building aircraft. Work continued and the one and only XN5N-1 made its first flight in the spring of 1941. This aircraft was unique in that it was intended as a primary trainer but was not a biplane. In May 1941, it went to NAS Pensacola, Florida, for ten days of test flights. The pilots at Pensacola reported that this new aircraft was superior to the NAF N3N-1 and N3N-3 and the Stearman biplane primary trainers. In July 1941, officials at the NAF learned that the aircraft would not go into production because the Navy had determined that they did not need any more primary trainers, it could use versions of Army aircraft as intermediate trainers and finally, aircraft construction at the NAF was to be curtailed. The XN5N-1 underwent several modifications during World War II including the installation of a canopy in 1943 and the aircraft was used for glider towing tests at the NAF."