Vought VE-7

Infobox Aircraft
name = Vought VE-7
type = Fighter & Trainer
manufacturer = Lewis & Vought Corporation



caption = Mechanics work on a VE-7
designer = Chance Milton Vought
first flight = 1917
introduced =
retired =
status =
primary user = United States Navy
more users = United States Army Air Service
produced = 1918–1928
number built = 128
unit cost =
variants with their own articles =

The Vought VE-7 Bluebird was an early biplane of the United States. First flying in 1917, it was designed as a two-seat trainer for the United States Army, then adopted by the United States Navy as its very first fighter aircraft. In 1922, a VE-7 became the first plane to take off from an American aircraft carrier. [Lloyd S. Jones, "U.S. Naval Fighters" (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 11-13] ]

Design and development

The Lewis & Vought Corporation was formed just months after the US entered World War I, with the intention of servicing war needs. The company's trainer was patterned after successful European designs; for instance, the engine was a Wright Hispano Suiza of the type used by the French Spads. In practice, the VE-7's performance was much better than usual for a trainer, and comparable to the best fighters, and the Army ordered 1,000 of an improved design called the VE-8. However, the contract was cancelled due to the end of the war. [Lloyd S. Jones, "U.S. Naval Fighters" (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 11-13] ]

However, the Navy was very interested in the VE-7, and received a first machine in May 1920. Production orders soon followed, in fact beyond what the fledgling Vought organization could handle, and the Naval Aircraft Factory was pressed into service. In all 128 VE-7s were built. [Lloyd S. Jones, "U.S. Naval Fighters" (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 11-13] ]

The fighter version of the VE-7 was designated VE-7S. It was a single-seater, the front cockpit being faired over and a Vickers .30 cal. machine gun mounted over it, on the left side and synchronized to fire through the propeller. Some planes, designated VE-7SF, had flotation gear consisting of inflatable bags stowed away, available to help keep the plane afloat when ditching at sea. [Lloyd S. Jones, "U.S. Naval Fighters" (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 11-13] ]

The "Bluebird" won the 1918 Army competition for advanced training machines. [Janes Fighting Aircraft of World War I by Michael John Haddrick Taylor (Random House Group Ltd. 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA, 2001, ISBN 1-85170-347-0), page 252.]

The VE-8 variant completed in July 1919, had a 340hp Wright-Hispano H engine, reduced overall dimensions, increased wing area, a shorter faired cabane, and two Vickers guns. Two were completed. Flight test results were disappointing, the aircraft was overweight, with heavy controls, inadequate stability and sluggish performance.The Complete Book of Fighters [http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21RSY79BDHL.jpgcover] Editors: William Green & Gordon Swanborough (Barnes & Noble Books New York, 1998, ISBN 0760709041), pp. 336-337]

The VE-9 variant first delivered to the Navy on 24 June 1922 was essentially an improved VE-7, with most of the improvements in the fuel system area. Four of the 21 ordered by the U.S. Navy were unarmed observation float seaplanes for battleship catapult use.The Complete Book of Fighters [http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21RSY79BDHL.jpgcover] Editors: William Green & Gordon Swanborough (Barnes & Noble Books New York, 1998, ISBN 0760709041), pp. 336-337]

Operational history

The VE-7s equipped the Navy's first two fighter squadrons VF-1 and VF-2. A VE-7 flown by Lt. Virgil C. Griffin made history on 17 October 1922 when it took off from the deck of the newly-commissioned USS "Langley" (CV-1). The VE-7s were the Navy's frontline fighters for several years, with three still assigned to the "Langley" in 1927; all were retired the following year. [Lloyd S. Jones, "U.S. Naval Fighters" (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 11-13] ]

Variants

* VE-7 (1918) - 14 built for the U.S. Army Air Service; 39 built for the U.S. Navy; (One of 2 known built at McCook Field. Reportedly 4 more were built by Springfield Co)
* VE-7F (1921) - 29 built for the U.S. Navy
* VE-7G (1921) - one converted from VE-7 for U.S. Marine Corps, 23 converted from VE-7 for U.S. Navy
* VE-7GF (1921) - one converted from VE-7
* VE-7H (1924) - 9 built for the U.S. Navy
* VE-7S (1925) - one converted from VE-7
* VE-7SF (1925) - 11 built for the U.S. Navy
* VE-8 (1918) - four ordered by the U.S. Army on Oct 11, 1918; two were canceled; 340hp Wright-Hispano H engine installed, two Vickers .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns, wingspan decreased to 31 ft (9.45 m), wing area increased to 307 ft² (28.52 m²), shortened to 21 ft 4in (6.5 m), speed increased to 140 mph (225 km/h), loaded weight increased to 2,435 lb (1,105 kg)The Complete Book of Fighters [http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21RSY79BDHL.jpgcover] Editors: William Green & Gordon Swanborough (Barnes & Noble Books New York, 1998, ISBN 0760709041), pp. 336-337]
* VE-9 (1921) - two converted from VE-7 for U.S. Army; speed increased to 119 mph (192 km/h), service ceiling increased to 18,840 ft (5742 m)
* VE-9 (1927) - 22 built for the U.S. Army, 17 built for the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Army used same designation as U.S. Navy)
* VE-9H (1927) - four unarmed observation float seaplanes built for the U.S. Navy battleships, modified vertical tail surfaces for improved catapult and water stabilityThe Complete Book of Fighters [http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/21RSY79BDHL.jpgcover] Editors: William Green & Gordon Swanborough (Barnes & Noble Books New York, 1998, ISBN 0760709041), pp. 336-337]
* VE-9W - canceled
* A scratch-built replica of the "Bluebird" was completed in early 2007 by volunteers of the [http://www.vought.com/heritage/foundation/index.html Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation] .

Operators

;flag|United States|1912
*United States Army Air Service
*United States Navy

pecifications (VE-7)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
ref=Janes Fighting Aircraft of World War I by Michael John Haddrick Taylor (Random House Group Ltd. 20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA, 2001, ISBN 1-85170-347-0), 320 pp.
crew=two
capacity=
payload main=
payload alt=
length main= 24 ft 5.375 in
length alt= 7.45 m
span main= 34 ft 4 in
span alt= 10.47 m
height main= 8 ft 7.5 in
height alt= 2.63 m
area main= 284.5 ft²
area alt= 26.43 m²
airfoil=
empty weight main= 1,392 lb
empty weight alt= 631 kg
loaded weight main= 1,937 lb
loaded weight alt= 879 kg
useful load main=
useful load alt=
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=
engine (prop)= Wright-Hispano E-3
type of prop= two bladed 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) diameter propeller
number of props=1
power main= 180 hp
power alt= 134 kW
power original=
max speed main=106 mph
max speed alt= 171 km/h
cruise speed main=
cruise speed alt=
stall speed main=
stall speed alt=
never exceed speed main=
never exceed speed alt=
range main= 290 mi
range alt= 467 km
ceiling main= 15,000 ft
ceiling alt= 4,600 m
climb rate main= 738 ft/min
climb rate alt= 225 m/min
loading main=
loading alt=
thrust/weight=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament= (VE-7S) one Vickers .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun synchronize to fire through the propeller
avionics=

References

* [http://www.aerofiles.com/_vot.html K.O. Eckland's Aerofiles] ; accessed 13 May 2007

External links

* [http://www.voughtaircraft.com/newsFactGallery/factsheets/company/companyHeritage.htm Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. Company Heritage]