Convair F2Y Sea Dart

The Convair F2Y Sea Dart was a unique American seaplane fighter aircraft that rode on twin hydro-skis for takeoff. It flew only as a prototype, and never entered production. It is the only seaplane to have exceeded the speed of sound.

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Length: 52 ft 7 in (16 m)
• Wingspan: 33 ft 8 in (10.3 m)
• Height: 16 ft 2 in (4.9 m)
• Wing area: 568 ft² (53 m²)
• Empty weight: 12,625 lb (5,730 kg)
• Loaded weight: 16,500 lb (7,480 kg)
• Max. takeoff weight: 21,500 lb (9,750 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Westinghouse J46-WE-2 {testbed: J43-WE-32 w/ 3,400 lbf each.^[8]} turbojets, 6,100.^[9] lbf (27 kN) each

Performance (estimated^[10])

• Maximum speed: 825 mph (1,325 km/h)
• Range: 513 mi (446 nm, 826 km)
• Service ceiling: 54,800 ft (16,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 17,100 ft/min (86.7 m/s)
• Wing loading: 29.0 lb/ft² (142 kg/m²)
• Thrust/weight: .56 (max loaded).96 (empty)