Vought XF2U-1

Early in 1927, the US Navy BuAer conceived a requirement for a two-seat fighter for fleet defence and contracts were signed on 30 June for the XF2U-1 and the Curtiss XF8C-2. As it was found that the fighter could not be based, as at first hoped, on the O2U observation aircraft, considerable delay resulted in completing the Vought prototype, which was not flown until 21 June 1929. The XF2U-1 had a steel-tube fuselage, wooden wings and fabric skinning, power being supplied by a 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340C Wasp engine and armament comprising two 7.62mm machine guns in the upper wing centre section and a similar calibre weapon on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit. By the time that the XF2U-1 reached Anacostia for official evaluation, the BuAer had already placed a contract for further development of the competitive Curtiss fighter (XF8C-4), and although the Vought aircraft met all contractual guarantees it was rejected. Assigned to the Naval Aircraft Factory in February 1930 as a utility aircraft, it was damaged beyond repair on 6 March 1931.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1280 x 948)