The promising nature of the Vought V-173 technology demonstrator produced a US Navy fighter contract for an expanded prototype form on June 30th, 1942. Engineer Charles Zimmerman had developed his wing-less "pancake" concept into the 1930s and was able to produce several scale models including the small V-162 test vehicle upon joining the Vought ranks as a consultant. From this came the V-173 which proved some of the concept sound, the design incorporating a circular fuselage with two leading-edge propeller engines and a centralized single-seat cockpit. Of course the military-grade version would require considerable modification and this made the follow-up XF5U something of a whole new beast.
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.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
28.6 ft (8.73 meters) Length
32.5 ft (9.90 meters) Width/Span
14.8 ft (4.50 meters) Height
13,228 lb (6,000 kilograms) Empty Weight
18,805 lb (8,530 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
