HISTORY:
The Vought F7U Cutlass was a United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter and fighter-bomber of the early Cold War era. It was a tailless aircraft for which aerodynamic data from projects of the German Arado and Messerschmitt companies, obtained at the end of World War II through German scientists who worked on the projects, contributed, though Vought designers denied any link to the German research at the time.[1] The F7U was the last aircraft designed by Rex Beisel, who was responsible for the first fighter ever designed specifically for the U.S. Navy, the Curtiss TS-1 of 1922.

Regarded as a radical departure from traditional aircraft design, the Cutlass suffered from numerous technical and handling problems throughout its short service career. The type was responsible for the deaths of four test pilots and 21 other U.S. Navy pilots.[1] Over one quarter of all Cutlasses built were destroyed in accidents.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Role:

Naval multirole fighter

National origin:

United States

Manufacturer:

Chance Vought

First flight:

29 September 1948

Introduction:

July 1951

Retired:

2 March 1959

Primary user:

United States Navy

Produced:

1948–1955:

Number built:

320

FEATURES:

Not many really other than decor and design

SOME PROBLEMS:
The plane tends to veer left when taking off but is well controlled in the air

CONTROLS:
AG1: Arresting hook
AG7: Fold wings

HAVE FUN:D