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History of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair |
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History of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair |
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VE-7S |
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Vought's first aircraft was the VE-7 (Vought Experimental Model 7). This advanced two-seat trainer was powered by an American-built 150hp Hispano-Suiza Model A engine. Seven different subtypes of the VE-7 were constructed and the 180hp VE-9 was derived from the basic VE-7. An advanced version of the VE-7, the VE-7SF, which was equipped with floatation devices, made its first takeoff from the aircraft carrier USS Langley on Oct, 17, 1922. |
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UO-1 |
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Improving on the VE-7 design, Vought delivered the UO-1 to the USN. This two-seat observation biplane was fitted with fixed landing gear for shore-based operations and a float kit for battleship and cruiser deployment. |
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FU-1 |
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A single-seat fighter version of the UO-1, the FU-1, was powered by a 220hp Wright J-5 engine. |
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O2U-1 |
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The first Vought-built Corsair was the O2U delivered to the USN in 1927. Powered by a 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-88 radial engine, the O2U-2 could reach speeds of 150mph at sea level and had a range of just over 600 miles. |
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O3U-1 |
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The next aircraft it delivered to the USN was the Vought O3U observation biplane powered by the 550hp P & W R-1340-12 radial engine. |
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SU-3 |
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The scout version of the O3U, the SU-1, sat a pilot and observer in tandem seats behind a 600hp P & W R-1690-42 engine. Both the O3U and SU series of biplanes were also called Corsairs. |
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In 1932 Vought designers delivered their last biplane to the USN. The Vought SBU scout bomber was powered by a 700hp P & W R-1535-80 radial engine capable of a maximum speed of 205mph at 8,900ft. |
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SB2U-2 |
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In 1936 Vought delivered the USN's first all-metal, low-wing carrier based scout and dive bomber, the SB2U Vindicator. This plane would set the standard for all future USN aircraft until the jet age. |
