The Sea Dart was developed in response to a 1948 U.S. Navy design competition for a supersonic interceptor seaplane capable of operating without a land base. Convair won a contract for two prototypes, an unusual water-based fighter design that took off and landed on a pair of retractable hydro-skis rather than wheels. The first prototype flew in early 1953. Testing revealed significant problems with the design, and the Navy officially cancelled the program in 1954, though testing and redesign work continued for several more years. Only five Sea Darts were ever built, and the type remains the only seaplane ever to exceed the speed of sound (achieved by a different prototype).
Aircraft Specifications
Physical Description
All-metal, delta-wing aircraft with a boat-hull fuselage designed to float on water, and a pair of retractable hydro-skis used for takeoff and landing in place of conventional landing gear.
Crew: 1
Length: 52 ft 7 in
Wingspan: 33 ft 8 in
Height: 16 ft 2 in (skis retracted) / 20 ft 9 in (skis extended)
Weight (empty / max takeoff): 12,625 lbs / 22,000 lbs
Powerplant: Two Westinghouse J46-WE-02 turbojet engines, 6,100 lbs of thrust each
Service ceiling: 58,800 ft
Weapons
None. This aircraft was an unarmed prototype and never entered armed service.
Key Accomplishments
Represents one of only five Sea Darts ever built, and one of only four still in existence — a rare survivor of a radical experiment in naval aviation.
The Sea Dart concept remains the only seaplane design in history to have exceeded the speed of sound, though this particular aircraft (Bureau #135764) was never flown; the Navy cancelled the program before it took to the air.
Build Date
circa 1954 (delivered, but never flown)
Manufacturer
Convair
Dates of Service
None — retired in 1962 without ever entering service
Country of Origin
United States
Inventory Number
Bureau #135764
Credit
On loan from The National Naval Aviation Museum on behalf of the Navy History and Heritage Command.
Display Status
This aircraft was delivered around 1954 as part of Convair’s Sea Dart program but never flew; the Navy cancelled the program before flight testing of this airframe could occur. It was formally retired in 1962 without having entered military service. The Museum acquired the aircraft in 1987 and placed it on display, completing a restoration between 1991 and 1993.
Status: On display.
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