F7U CUTLASS

The 'Vought F7U Cutlass' (Vought V-346A Cutlass) was a United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter and fighter-bomber of the early Cold War. It was a highly unusual, semi-tailless^[1] design, based on aerodynamic data captured from the German Arado company at the end of World War II. The F7U was the last aircraft designed by Rex Beisel, who was responsible for the first fighter ever designed specifically for the US Navy, the Curtis TS-1 of 1922.

Contents

Design and development

Operational history

Blue Angels F7U

Variants

Operators

Survivors

Specifications (F7U-3M)

References

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Design and development

The Cutlass had broad, swept wings, with twin tail fins mounted on them. Pitch and roll control was provided by elevons. The very long nosewheel strut was rather weak, and a collapse could seriously jeopardize the pilot. The F7U was also largely betrayed by its anemic Westinghouse turbojet, an engine which some pilots wryly observed put out less heat than the same company's toasters.

Operational history

Three prototypes were ordered in 1946, with the first example flying on 29 September 1948, piloted by a Robert Baker. Production orders were placed for the 'F7U-1' in a specification very close to the prototypes, and 'F7U-2' and 'F7U-3' versions with more powerful engines. Because of development problems with the powerplant, however, the F7U-2 would never be built, while the F7U-3 would incorporate many refinements suggested by tests of the -1. The first 16 F7U-3 had non-afterburning Allison J35-29 engines. The -3 with its Westinghouse J46-WE-8B turbojets would eventually become the definitive production version, with 288 aircraft equipping 13 US Navy and Marine squadrons. Further development stopped once the F8U Crusader flew.
The Cutlass bore the fleet nickname of "gutless." Its carrier handling was notoriously poor. The J35 was actually known to flameout in the rain, a very serious fault.

Blue Angels F7U

The Blue Angels Navy aerobatics team flew two F7U Cutlass as a side act during their 1952 show season in an effort to promote the new aircraft, but did not use them as part of their regular formation act. Both the pilots and ground crews found the aircraft generally unsatisfactory.

Variants

;XF7U-1
:Three prototypes.
;F7U-1
:The initial production version, 14 built.
;F7U-2
:Proposed version, it was going to have two Westinghouse J34-WE-42-WE-42 engines, but it was cancelled.
;F7U-3
:The definitive production version, 288 built.
;;F7U-3P
::Photo-reconnaissance version, 12 built.
;;F7U-3M
::This version was armed with the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile, 98 built.

Operators

;

★ United States Marine Corps

★ United States Navy

Survivors

Six F7U Cutlass are known to survive.
;F7U-3 s/n 128451
:Located unrestored and incomplete at the Fred E. Weisbroad Aviation Museum/International B-24 Museum in Pueblo, Colorado. Its condition is poor.
;F7U-3 s/n 129554
:Purchased by Len Berryman from Geiger Field, Washington in May 1958 and displayed outside the Berryman War Memorial Park in Bridgeport, Washington from 1958 until 1992. In June 1992 it was sold to Tom Cathcart of Ephrata, Washington for restoration to eventual flying condition. This aircraft is currently undergoing restoration at the Museum of Flight in Everett, Washington.
;F7U-3 s/n 129642
:On display at the Wings of Freedon Aviation Museum at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. The aircraft belonged to attack squadron VA-12 and was flown to Willow Grove in May 1957 to take part in an air show. Upon arrival the aircraft was stricken from active duty. It was given to the Navy Reserve as a ground training aircraft, and eventually placed as a gate guard in front of the base on US Route 611. The airframe has only 326.3 hours TT.
;F7U-3M s/n 129655
:On display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.
;F7U-3 s/n 129685
:Located for many years on the farm of Walter Soplata in Newbury, Ohio. Like most aircraft on this famous farm the aircraft appears complete, though it's exposed to the elements and unrestored.
;An F7U (probably s/n 129565)
:Was undergoing restoration for display at the USS Hornet (CV-12) Museum in Alameda, California. Has now beeen transferred to USS Midway (CV-41) Museum in San Diego, California for final restoration and display.

Specifications (F7U-3M)

References

1. ''Body Reading''. [1] Access date: 17 January 2006

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