8/27/39 German Heinkel He 178 first jet flight in history.
5/15/41 British first Allied jet flight in England, Gloster- Whittle E-28/39.
10/2/42 U.S.A. using basic Whittle design engine have first jet flight Bell XP-59A.
12/42 U.S. Navy submits proposal for a composite aircraft using both a rear jet engine and traditional front engine. This was submitted to five airplane companies including Ryan Aircraft. Ryan Aircraft only company that offers a feasible proposal and negotiations begin in January 1943.
1/43.With negotiations continuing in a positive direction Ryan given the go ahead on beginning work on Ryan Model 28.
2/43 Letter intent issued to Ryan requsting three prototypes with Navy designation XFR-1. It would have stalling speeds, takeoff speeds and landing speeds all within the requirements to operate from an Escort Carrier(CVE). These three planes would be fully operation with both engines complete and a static test example. The delivery schedule of these planes would begin with the delivery of the static test plane only ten months from the original letter of intent.
12/43 Naval Contact issued to Ryan Aircraft calling for the production of 100 "Fireballs".
6/25/44 Maiden flight of the XFR-1 at Linbergh Field San Diego CA. First flight taken without jet engine intalled. Only eighteen months from original proposal.
7/44 After jet engine intallation several successful flights made.
9/44 The second XFR-1 begins flight testing.
10/44 Flight testing ready to move on to Pawtuxent River, Maryland
10/13/44 Day before flight to Maryland, Chief Flight Test Pilot Bob Kerlinger crashes an XFR-1 killing himself on a routine test flight. Cause is not immediatly known. Al Conover suceeds Kerlinger as Chief Test Pilot.
10/23/44-10/26/44 Battle of Leyte Gulf in Pacific. U.S. Navy eliminates the Japanese Navy as an effective fighting force. With Japanese Navy crushed Kamikaze air campaign begins causing damage to many U.S. ships. None of the current U.S. naval planes are able to effectively "intercept" the Japanese Kamikazes.
1/45 The squadron VF-66 formed to begin training in the FR-1 to bring it up to full squadron use. This push was brought on by the massive Kamikaze problem that was occuring during conqust of the Philippines. The first commander is Lt. Comdr. John F. Gray.
2/45 Iwo Jima invaded with heavy losses to naval ships assisting in invasion due to Kamikazes.
3/45 Squadron evaluation begins.
3/25/45 Second plane lost when pilot was unable to recover from a dive of 35,000 Feet.
4/1/45 Okinawa invaded. U.S. naval ships face to most intense kamikaze attacks of the war. Over 100 ships are damaged and many are sunk.
5/1/45 Three FR-1 "Fireballs" carry out successful carrier qualifications trials aboard the USS Ranger.
8/15/45 Japanese surrender
9/7/45 First preliminary demonstrations commence.
9/26/45 First public demonstration at NAAS Brown Field at squadron strength. Another takes place at Anacostia, MD.
10/18/45 VF-66 Decommissioned all staff and planes reassigned to VF-41.
9/47 FR-1 appears at the Cleveland Air Races.