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Vought SBU-1

Description
  Manufacturer:Vought


Control Panel
  Base model:SBU
  Designation:SBU
  Version:-1
  Designation System:U.S. Navy / Marines
  Designation Period:1934-1946
  Basic role:Scout Bomber
  See Also:
 
 
 

Specifications
  Length: 27' 10" 8.4 m
  Height:11' 11" 3.6 m
  Wingspan: 33' 3" 10.1 m
  Gross Weight: 5,520 lb 2,503 kg

Propulsion
  Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-1535-80
  Horsepower (each): 700

Performance
  Max Speed: 201 mph 323 km/h 174 kt
  Ceiling: 23,700 ft 7,223 m

Known serial numbers
9750 / 9833


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 Guy E. Franklin
 Deatsville, AL
The SBU-1 evolved as a two-seat dive bomber version of the XF3U-1, which competed for the Navy two-seat fighter purchase to ensure that Vought got a return on its fighter investment. This aircraft was proposed as a land biplane replacement for the SU series. It became the first aircraft of its type to exceed 200 mph. It also featured a controllable-pitch propeller and NACA cowl and a twin row radial R-1535 P&W twin Wasp-Junior engine.

As expected, politics caught up with the two-seat fighter program and the Navy dropped it. Although the XF3U-1 had been evaluated as a scout/ bomber, Vought decided to construct another airplane rather than modify the XF3U-1. This airplane utilized the engine and most of the equipment from the XF3U1. It completed its first tests in 1934, and a contract for 84 SBU-1’s was awarded in January 1935.

The SBU-1 was the first airplane of its type to exceed 200 mph and it also featured a controllable-pitch propeller and a new NACA cowl. It was the first Vought airplane with a canopy to protect the cockpit occupants. It also had adjustable cowling gills on the cowl trailing edge to obtain better control of the cooling air flow over the engine cylinders. This feature permitted greater speeds and soon became standard for all air-cooled engines that incorporated a deep-chord cowl. The design team headed by Rex Beisel of Vought and A. L. McCain and F.M. Thomas of Pratt & Whitney were awarded the prestigious Manley and Wright awards.


09/06/2006 @ 04:30 [ref: 14083]
 Stephanie wainer
 Clemmons, NC
Additionally, a large number of his flights were with Francis Drake Foley, who would later become a Rear Admiral.
12/27/2004 @ 22:23 [ref: 8990]
 Stephanie wainer
 Clemmons, NC
If serial numbers are machine numbers in Aviators Flight Log Books, I have a number of others that my granfather listed. If this is the case and anyone is interested, please contact me and I willprovide whatever information that I can.
12/27/2004 @ 22:16 [ref: 8988]

 

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