Vought XF2U

XF2U

National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Vought
Designed by: Chance M. Vought
First flight: 21 June 1929

The Vought XF2U was a prototype biplane fighter aircraft evaluated by the United States Navy at the end of the 1920s, but was already outclassed by competing designs and never put into production.

Development and design

Vought's O2U Corsair, first delivered in 1927, was a successful design that set several speed and altitude record in that year. To compete for the Bureau of Aeronatics requirement for a two-seat carrier-based fighter, Vought adapted this design, but progress was slow. Ordered on 30 June 1927, the plane was not completed until June 1929. It was no longer state-of-the-art; in particular Curtiss' F8C Falcon was further along.

The aircraft was constructed of welded steel tubing, covered in fabric. The wings were made of wood and fabric covered.The prototype first flew on 21 June 1929, and was tested on a simulated carrier deck in Norfolk, Virginia. It was found satisfactory, allaying concerns about problems due to the rather long cowling over the engine. The plane then went to the Naval Aircraft Factory, who operated it until 6 March 1931, when it was lost in a crash landing.

Specifications

Data from Angelucci, 1987. pp.433-434.

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 27 ft 0 in (8.22 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft 0 in (10.97 m)
Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.04 m)
Wing area: 318 ft² (29.54 m²)
Empty weight: 2,539 lb (1,152 kg)
Gross weight: 3,907 lb (1,772 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x— Pratt & Whitney R-1340-C/D, 450 hp ( kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 146 mph (235 km/h)
Cruise speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)
Range: 495 miles (797 km)
Service ceiling: 18,700 ft (5,700 m)
Rate of climb: 910 ft/min (4.63 m/s)

Armament

3x .30in machine guns

Bibliography

Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books. ISBN 0-517-56588-9.
Lloyd S. Jones, U.S. Naval Fighters (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 68-70

Vought XF2U Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia