Vought XF3U
Vought · United States · first flew 1933 · fighter
The Vought XF3U was a single-seat carrier-based biplane fighter prototype developed for the US Navy in the early 1930s. It incorporated a radial engine with an NACA cowling to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine biplane carrier fighter prototype
- Radial engine with NACA cowl
- Open cockpit with streamlined headrest fairing
A compact biplane with well-staggered wings, a prominent radial engine in an NACA cowl, and a streamlined headrest behind the open cockpit; broadly similar to other US Navy biplane fighters of the period.
Specifications
- The Vought XF3U has a length of 8.4 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.1 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 334 km/h (208 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed and built in 1933, the XF3U-1 was evaluated by the US Navy as part of the ongoing competition for carrier fighter designs. It did not advance to production, competing against other Vought and rival designs.
Variants
Only the single XF3U-1 prototype was constructed; no production variants followed.
Where you'll see it
The XF3U did not enter service, remaining a prototype used for US Navy evaluation purposes.
Related aircraft
- Vought XSB3U-1
- Vought XF2U
- F4U Corsair
- Vought F4U-1 Corsair (Birdcage)
- Arado Ar 67
- Avia B-534
- Avia B-534-IV
- Boeing XF6B-1
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