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Vought XF5U

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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.

The Vought XF5U is among the most unusual looking aircraft ever to fly.

Development of the carrier based fighter began just before the start of the second World War.

The idea behind the Vought XF5U "flying pancake" shaped aircraft was to generate maximum lift for easily controlled aircraft carrier landings, yet be streamlined enough to allow for fast maximum speeds.

Test flights of pre production aircraft during World War II uncovered minor problems which probably would have been overcome with time.

However, after the war and with the advent of the "jet age", the Navy saw the future as aircraft without propellers. Therefore work on the Vought XF5U was discontinued in early 1947.


Specifications

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        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Machine Guns:
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        First Flight:
experimental
one
P&W R-2000
2 x 1,350 hp ea.
28' 7"
32' 6"
13,107 lbs.
18,770 lbs.
6- .50 cal.
2,000 lbs.
175 mph
425 mph
1,720 fpm
34,500 feet
1,050 miles
11/23/42



Radio Control Airplane
The rc Vought XF5U built by Bill Wargo.


Radio Control Airplanes:




Pictured above is the nice looking Vought XF5U radio control airplane built by Bill Wargo. Unfortunately we do not have any details about it.

The first picture below is of the RC Vought XF5U  built by Frank Burke. Construction material is of Depron foam. Tailerons span 37". It has a wing span of 33". Power comes from two 2208-17 outrunner brushless motors turning 8 x 3.8 propellers.

The next two pictures below are of the rc Vought XF5U airplane built by Giuseppe Ghisleri. It is built from Depron and blue foam and has a wing span of 42". Two speed 400 motors geared 2:1 power it. Giuseppe uses a catapult to launch it.  All up weight is 38 oz.

The last picture on this page is of the Vought XF5U rc scratch built by Larry Botsford. It is 1/6 scale and powered by AXI 4120/18 motors. All up weight is exactly 15 lbs. Larry reports that his RC Airplane is easy to fly, but landings take some extra attention.

If you know of any other XF5U rc airplanes, please email us.


Radio Control Airplane
Vought XF5U rc built Frank Burke.


Radio Control Airplane
RC Vought XF5U built by Giuseppe Ghisleri.


Radio Control Airplane
Giuseppe Ghisleri launching his rc airplane.


Radio Control Airplane
The rc Vought XF5U built by Larry Botsford.