Orion OA WF-07 “Screecher”

Orion OA WF-07 “Screecher”

The OA WF-07 “Screecher” was a radical late-1920s prototype fighter jet developed by Orion AeroWorks during the golden age of experimental aviation. Featuring an ambitious air-cooled internal jet turbine, the Screecher was ahead of its time, reaching blistering speeds of 400 m/s — a record for its era — and achieving a ceiling of 10,000 feet, though limited by crew safety concerns.
Nicknamed for its distinctive echoing screech, likened to a high-pitched lion’s roar, the Screecher’s unforgettable engine note earned it both awe and fear among those who heard it pass overhead. Despite its futuristic powerplant, the aircraft lacked basic pilot amenities like heating vests, which made high-altitude missions dangerous. Oxygen masks were equipped, but cold exposure remained a major risk.

Only 11 prototypes were ever built. While the WF-07 showed immense potential, it was plagued by poor fuel efficiency, capable of only 30 minutes of flight time per tank. Tragically, 6 units were scrapped during World War II for materials, and the remaining 4 crashed due to faulty fuel gauges that left pilots unaware of engine failure until it was too late. On top of that, the aircraft’s heavy frame didn’t allow for long gliding distances, tip-stall-induced rollovers often proved fatal — especially with its open cockpit and no canopy protection.

Today, a single OA WF-07 survives, discovered in pristine condition in a sealed hangar during the 1970s after being “lost” for nearly 50 years. Now displayed in a museum, this aircraft remains fully operational, its engine still maintained and flight-ready — a testament to Orion AeroWorks’ daring innovation and tragic ambition.

Manufacturer: Orion AeroWorks
Role: Prototype Interceptor / Experimental Jet Fighter
First Flight: 1927
Top Speed: 400 m/s
Variants: N/A (Prototype series only)
Nickname: “Screecher” – for its loud, echoing engine howl
Engine: Orion AeroWorks’ JE-1 Lion Turbine Engine
“It didn’t whisper through the skies — it screamed.”