Vought F7U Cutlass

Vought F7U Cutlass
Country	USA
Role	Naval multirole fighter
First flight	29 September 1948
Built	320

The Vought F7U Cutlass was a United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter and fighter-bomber of the early Cold War era. It was a tailless aircraft based on aerodynamic data and plans captured from the German Arado company at the end of World War II, though Vought designers denied any link to the German research at the time. The F7U was the last aircraft designed by Rex Beisel, who was responsible for the first fighter ever designed specifically for the U.S. Navy, the Curtiss TS-1 of 1922.

Source: Vought F7U Cutlass on Wikipedia

F7U-3M Cutlass Walk Around
Photographer	Fotios Rouch
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	27

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F7U-3M Cutlass 09

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General Characteristics and Design

The Vought F7U Cutlass was a unique and radical US Navy carrier-based jet fighter of the early Cold War era. Its design was heavily influenced by German aerodynamic data obtained at the end of World War II. The Cutlass was the first American tailless production fighter and one of the first Navy jets to feature swept wings and afterburners. Its unusual configuration, featuring low aspect ratio swept wings and twin vertical fins, eliminated the traditional horizontal tailplane. Pitch and roll control were combined into surfaces called elevons (or ailevators) on the wing trailing edges. Despite its innovative design, the aircraft earned unflattering nicknames like the “Gutless Cutlass” and “Ensign Eliminator” due to being underpowered and having a high accident rate.

Property	Typical Value (F7U-3)
Role	Carrier-Based Fighter and Fighter-Bomber
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer	Chance Vought Aircraft Inc.
First Flight	29 September 1948 (Prototype)
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Length	13.50 m (44 ft 3 in)
Wingspan	12.10 m (39 ft 8 in)
Height	4.45 m (14 ft 7 in)
Empty Weight	Approx. 8,267 kg (18,226 lb)
Gross Weight	Approx. 14,365 kg (31,670 lb)

Powerplant and Performance

Engines: Two Westinghouse J46-WE-8A turbojet engines with afterburners.
Thrust (Each): 20.5 kN (4,600 lbf) dry / 27.1 kN (6,100 lbf) with afterburner.
Maximum Speed: Approx. 1,095 km/h (680 mph) (Mach 0.9–0.95, near supersonic capability).
Initial Rate-of-Climb: Approx. 14,240 ft/min.
Range: Approx. 1,061 km (659 mi) (combat range).
Service Ceiling: 12,192 m (40,000 ft).
Carrier Feature: Long nose landing gear strut required for a high angle of attack during catapult launches. The nose gear also had a unique pre-spinning device to bring tires up to speed before landing.

Armament and Variants

Internal Armament: 4 x 20 mm M3 cannon (located above the inlet ducts), 180 rounds per gun.
External Hardpoints: 4 underwing hardpoints with a total capacity of up to 2,500 kg (5,500 lb).
Ordnance Capability:
- Bombs: Up to 2,000 lb of bombs or 32 x 2.75-inch unguided rockets.
- Missiles (F7U-3M variant): Fitted to carry four AIM-7 Sparrow I radar-guided air-to-air missiles.
Major Variants:
- F7U-1: Pre-production, underpowered version.
- F7U-3: Main production version with larger airframe and J46 engines.
- F7U-3M: Missile-capable version, carrying Sparrow I missiles.
- F7U-3P: Photo-reconnaissance version with an extended nose and cameras (guns deleted).