Specifications
Year: 1943
Status: Cancelled
Manufacturer(s): Vought - USA
Production: 2
Capabilities: Fighter; X-Plane;
Status: Cancelled
Manufacturer(s): Vought - USA
Production: 2
Capabilities: Fighter; X-Plane;
Crew: 1
Length: 28.64 ft (8.73 m)
Width: 32.48 ft (9.9 m)
Height: 14.76 ft (4.5 m)
Weight (Empty): 13,228 lb (6,000 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 18,805 lb (8,530 kg)
Length: 28.64 ft (8.73 m)
Width: 32.48 ft (9.9 m)
Height: 14.76 ft (4.5 m)
Weight (Empty): 13,228 lb (6,000 kg)
Weight (MTOW): 18,805 lb (8,530 kg)
Power: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 radial piston engines developing 1,350 horsepower each.
Speed: 475 mph (765 kph; 413 kts)
Ceiling: 34,498 feet (10,515 m; 6.53 miles)
Range: 1,056 miles (1,700 km; 918 nm)
Rate-of-Climb: 3,000 ft/min (914 m/min)
Ceiling: 34,498 feet (10,515 m; 6.53 miles)
Range: 1,056 miles (1,700 km; 918 nm)
Rate-of-Climb: 3,000 ft/min (914 m/min)
Operators: United States
The basic concept remained the same though structural dimensions were increased to accommodate more powerful engines, a new cockpit and fuselage as well as consideration for armament (this was to be a Navy fighter after all). The original 80-horsepower engines gave way to 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 "Twin Wasp" radial piston engines of 1,350 horsepower each (driving four-bladed propellers). Dimensions included a length of 28 feet, 7 inches, a width of 32 feet, 6 inches and a height of 14 feet, 9 inches. Comparatively, the V-173 showcased a length of 26 feet, 8 inches, a width of 23 feet, 4 inches and an equal height. Loaded weights of both designs were notable, the V-173 topping the scales at 2,260lbs with the revised XF5U weighing 16,720lbs.The V-173 was also constructed of wood with fabric covering and sported a fixed undercarriage; the XF5U would be completed with a metal structure and metal skin as well as a retractable undercarriage. One of the more notable additions to the XF5U model was its inclusion of two circular intakes at the leading edges of the fuselage for aspirating the radial piston engines buried within the fuselage. As with the V-173, the XF5U relied on a network of shafts to drive its unorthodox engine installation.
US Navy authorities were already thinking ahead with their possible fleet of wingless aircraft. They envisioned a fighter-type entity with support for two external fuel drop tanks to counter the ranges required of over-sea travel. She would be capably-armed with either 6 x 0.50 Browning heavy machine guns or up to 4 x 20mm cannons. She was also intended for light bombing and provision for 2 x 1,000lb bombs were shortly added. The Navy looked for its new aircraft to reach a maximum speed of 500 miles per hour and out to ranges of 1,000 miles.
Vought was handed a contract to produce two airframes - one to serve as a static test bed and the other to become the full-fledged flyable platform. Vought returned with a wooden mockup which went under review by US Navy staff in June of 1943. This paved the way for a more finalized form appearing on June 25th, 1945. Testing of the "flyable" prototype revealed a host of technological issues primarily related to the powerplants (generally overheating) and the complicated gearbox arrangement which turned the flyable XF5U-1 into a recognized danger if pushed.
The war in Europe had drawn to a close in May of 1945 and the war in the Pacific followed in September. Many military programs were either shelved or scuttled altogether and the XF5U now fell under threat. Additionally, strides made in the realm of turbojet-powered flight further signaled the end for the propeller-driven, highly-novel XF5U. Its technological battle as well as ballooning program costs eventually led to its cancellation on March 17th, 1947. The two airframes were then subsequently scrapped, bringing an end to the "Flying Flapjack" endeavor of the US Navy.
Armament
PROPOSED:
4 x 20mm cannons
6 x 0.50 caliber Browning heavy machine guns
OPTIONAL:
2 x 1,000 conventional drop bombs
Variants / Models
• XF5U - Base Series Designation
• XF5U-1 - Completed prototype
