The Grumman XF5F was an experimental fighter developed in the late 1930s to bring a new level of performance to carrier borne fighters.

Although only one was manufactured it contributed to the development of later fighters.

Grumman began development of the XF5F in 1938, bringing together a number of revolutionary concepts including a twin engined carrier borne fighter.

The US Navy ordered a prototype on 30 June 1938 and it made its first flight on 1 April 1940.

Despite its excellent performance against contemporary fighters it failed to win a production contract.

However it remained in use until December 1944 as a development prototype for the more advanced Grumman F7F.

The US Army Air Force also ordered a basically similar prototype, the XP-50, but it also failed to reach production

This model represents the sole prototype in 1940.

MPM 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in September 1996.