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Vought F6U Pirate

 


The first turbojet powered aircraft designed by Chance Vought was awarded a contract from the US Navy for three prototypes on December 29, 1944. A total of 65 had been ordered but after 30 had been delivered, the remainder were cancelled.
Straight-wing jet fighter, an ugly and unsuccessful aircraft. The design was conventional, with straight wings, a blunt nose, small wing root jet intakes, and small additional fins at the tips of the tailplane. The construction was innovative, with use of glassfibre and balsa wood. The F6U was underpowered, and was modified to become the first operational jet fighter with an afterburner. Even then the performance was described as "sub-marginal", and they were assigned to development tasks and training.
Modifications:
F6U-1: Westinghouse J34-WE-22 turbojet mounted in the aft fuselage
F6U-1P: given to one of the production F6U-1s following the installation of cameras for evaluation in a reconnaissance role.

General characteristics F6U-1

Primary function Fighter
Power plant One Westinghouse J34-WE-30 turbojet
Thrust 4,224 lb 1,916 kg
Wingspan 32.8 ft 10.00 m
Length 37.66 ft 11.48 m
Height 12.9 ft 3.93 m
Wingarea 203.4 sq ft 18.90 sq m
Weight empty 7,320 lb 3,320 kg
max. 12,900 lb 5,851 kg
Speed max. 596 mph 959 km/h
Ceiling 46,260 ft 14,100 m
Range max. 1,170 mi 1,880 km
Armament 4x 20mm cannon
Crew One
First flight October 2, 1946
Date deployed August 1949
Number built 33

Jirka Wagner

 

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