Vought V-80

In 1932, the Vought company, believing an export market to exist for a single-seat fighter among its existing customers for the two-seat Corsair observation aircraft and reconnaissance-bomber (eg, V-65 and V-66), developed the V-80. Designed to adhere structurally as closely as possible to the two-seater to simplify spares supply and maintenance, a V-80 demonstrator was flown early in 1933. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-SD Hornet engine rated at 675hp at 1830m, the V-80 had provision for an armament of four 7.62mm guns, two in the upper wing centre section and two firing through the engine cowling, and could carry a 227kg bomb load. The standard wheel undercarriage was interchangeable with a single central float with outrigger stabilising floats. Three examples (V-80P) were ordered by Peru, these having the 700hp R-1690-T1D1 Hornet and the first example flew on 19 May 1933. These were supplied with the interchangeable float undercarriages. One further example was built, the V-80F with a similarly-rated R-1690-SD engine, this being flown on 10 April 1934 and sold to Argentina. The original V-80 demonstrator, with armament removed, was sold as the V-135 to the. Connecticut State Department of Aeronautics, and, in 1935, was utilised by Pratt & Whitney as an engine test bed.