F7U Cutlass - Definition and Overview

The Chance Vought F7U Cutlass was a US Navy jet fighter of the early Cold War. It was a highly unusual, tailless design, based on aerodynamic data captured from the Arado company at the end of World War II. The Cutlass had broad, swept wings, with twin tail fins mounted on them. Pitch and roll control was provided by elevons.

Three prototypes were ordered in 1946, with the first example flying on September 29 1948. Production orders were placed for the F7U-1 in a specification very close to the prototypes, and F7U-2 and F7U-3 versions with more powerful engines. Because of development problems with the powerplant, however, the F7U-2 would never be built, while the F7U-3 would also incorporate many refinements suggested by tests of the -1. The -3 would eventually become the definitive production version, with 162 aircraft equipping four USN squadrons.

Variants

XF7U-1 - three prototypes
F7U-1 - initial production version (14 built)
F7U-2 - was to have used Westinghouse J34-WE-42 engines, but cancelled
F7U-3 - definitive production version (162 built)
- F7U-3P - reconnaissance version (12 built)
- F7U-3M - AIM-7 Sparrow-armed version (100 built)

Specifications (F7U-3)

General Characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: 44 ft 3 in (13.49 m)
Wingspan: 38 ft 8 in (11.79 m)
Height: 14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
Wing area: 496 ft² (46.1 m²)
Empty: 18,210 lb (6,005kg)
Loaded: 31,642 lb (14,383 kg)
Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
Powerplant: 2x Westinghouse J46-WE-8A turbojets, 4,600 lb (20.5 kN) thrust each

Performance

Maximum speed: 680 mph (1,088 km/h)
Range: 660 miles (1,056 km)
Service ceiling: 40,000 ft (12,195 m)
Rate of climb: 13,000 ft/min (3,693 m/min)
Wing loading: 64 lb/ft² (312 kg/m²)
Thrust-to-weight: 1:3.4

Armament