From The Archives: No Paper Tiger

In past decades, it was not unusual for Aviation Week to place advertisements on its front cover. Such was the case for the Aug. 8, 1955, issue, which featured an ad showcasing the then-new Grumman F11F-1. 

“For keeping peace, some call our country a paper tiger,” Grumman proclaimed. “They err. Our strength, like the Navy's new F11F-1, is not on paper. 

This Tiger by Grumman is real. … To be ready in quantity when needed, Grumman designed and built the first Tiger in 15 months.” 

Entering service on U.S. Navy carriers in April 1956, the small, supersonic fighter had a relatively brief career on the frontlines, with 199 aircraft produced and delivered through January 1959. 

It retired from carrier operations in 1961, although it continued to operate in training and aerobatic displays for much of the rest of that decade. It was redesignated the F-11 Tiger in 1962 under the new U.S. Tri-Service aircraft designation system.

See the front cover featuring the ad and a list of highlighted content, including the latest in aeronautical engineering, avionics, and equipment:  August 8, 1955 | Aviation Week

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