On Nov. 27, 1944, the Boeing XF8B-1 Navy fighter made its first flight. The plane was developed as a long-range fighter-bomber and was the heaviest carrier-based airplane built during World War II. Because of its size and 2,500-horsepower Wasp Major engine, the XF8B-1 used two three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. Only three XF8-1s were built.