Vought F7U Cutlass

Naval multirole fighter introduced in 1951

Vought F7U 3 Cutlass 00XC
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credit: Robert Sullivan
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The Vought F7U Cutlass was designed and produced by Chance Vought as a carrier-based jet fighter and fighter-bomber of the United States Navy during the Cold War era. The F7U was the final designed aircraft of Rex Beisel and was built without tail assembly and no other horizontal surface aside from its wings. It first flew in September 1948 and was introduced in July 1951. The aircraft was produced from 1948 to 1955 with a total number of 320 built.

Manufacturer:
Vought
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1948 to: 1955
ICAO:
F7U
Price:
Avionics:
Engine:
2x Westinghouse J46-WE-8B
Jet
Power:
6,000 pound-force
Max Cruise Speed:
606 knots
1,122 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
93 knots
Travel range:
800 Nautical Miles
1,482 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
40,600 feet
Rate of Climb:
14420 feet / minute
73.25metre / second
Take Off Distance:
486 metre - 1,594.47 feet
Landing Distance:
486 metre - 1,594.47 feet
Max Take Off Weight:
12,174 Kg
26,839 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
3,000 Kg
6,614 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
971 gallon
3,676 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
1 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
12.58 metre - 41.27 feet
Tail height:
Fuselage Diameter:
1 metre - 3.28 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
12.1 metre - 39.70 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

On June 25, 1946, three prototypes designated as XF7U-1 were ordered. On September 29, 1948, the aircraft took its maiden flight. The F7U-1 was the initial production variant, the F7U-3 was a definitive production variant, and the F7U-3P was a photo-reconnaissance variant.

The F7U-3M is a single-seat missile capable variant. It has an exterior length of 12.58 meters, a height of 4.27 meters, and a fuselage width of 1 meter. The wingspan is 12.1 meters, 6.80 meters when folded, and the wing area is 46.1 square meters. It has an empty weight of 8,260 kg, a gross weight of 12,174 kg, and a maximum takeoff weight of 12,174 kg. The maximum payload is 3000 kg and the fuel tank capacity is 971 US gal.

The aircraft is powered by two Westinghouse J46-WE-8B engines. It is an afterburning turbojet engine with a single-spool twelve-stage axial compressor, annular combustors, a two-stage turbine, and a wet sump oil system. It produces a maximum dry thrust of 4,600 lbf each and an afterburning thrust of 6,000 lbf each. The F7U has a maximum speed of 606 knots at sea level with military power and afterburner.

The cruise speed is 490 knots at 38,000 feet to 42,000 feet and the stall speed is 112 knots power off at take-off and 93.2 knots with approaching power for landing. The combat range is 800 nautical miles. It can fly up to 40,600 feet and can climb at a rate of 14,420 feet per minute with military power plus an afterburner. The take-off run in calm conditions is 486 meters with military power and afterburner.

The aircraft could be armed with four 20 mm M3 cannon located above inlet ducts with 180 rounds per gun, and four hardpoints with a capacity of 2,500 kg with provisions to carry combinations of four AAM-N-2 Sparrow I air-to-air-beam-riding missiles.

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