Essentially a navalised P-16, the XF2J-1 two-seat shipboard
fighter prototype was ordered by the US Navy on
30 June 1931, but did not fly until two years later.
Originally designed for a single-row Pratt & Whitney
R-1690C Hornet radial, the XF2J-1 was completed with
the experimental two-row 14-cylinder Wright R-1510-92
rated at 625hp at 1830m. As initially flown,
the XF2J-1 had tandem open cockpits, but at an early
stage in the test programme sliding canopies were fitted.
Inadequate visibility for deck landing and inability
to compete with the Grumman XFF-1 motivated
against the further development of this type.
W.Green, D.Swanborough "The Complete Book of Fighters", 2000
