Ryan XF2R Dark Shark

The Ryan XF2R Dark Shark was a development of Ryan’s earlier FR-1 Fireball. First flying in November 1946, it retained the mixed power plant of its predecessor, but replaced the piston engine with a General Electric T31 turboprop engine. The jet intakes were moved from the wing roots to the fuselage sides and the vertical stabiliser was squared off.

Despite proving a capable aircraft the navy cancelled development as they considered all-jet aircraft to be superior. The Fireball had been designed at a time when jet aircraft lacked ranged, so for a brief time a mix of a jet and piston engines provided a solution. However by the time the Dark Shark flew jet engines were becoming more efficient.