American postwar aircraft
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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