https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_VE-7
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.
The Lewis & Vought Corporation was formed just months after the U.S. 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.
However, the Navy was very interested in the VE-7, and received the 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.
The fighter version of the VE-7 was designated VE-7S. It was a single-seater,
the front cockpit being faired over and a .30 in (7.62 mm) Vickers machine gun
mounted over it on the left side and synchronized to fire through the propeller.
Some planes, designated VE-7SF, had floatation gear consisting of inflatable
bags stowed away, available to help keep the plane afloat when ditching at sea.
The Bluebird won the 1918 Army competition for advanced training machines.
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 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.
Role
Fighter & Trainer
Manufacturer
Lewis & Vought Corporation
Designer
Chance M. Vought
First flight
1917
Primary users
United States Navy
United States Army Air Service
Produced
1918-1928
Number built
128
The VE-7s equipped the Navy's first two fighter squadrons VF-1 and VF-2. A VE-7
flown by Lieutenant Virgil C. Griffin made history on October 17, 1922 when it
took off from the deck of the newly commissioned carrier Langley. 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.
Specifications (VE-7)
General characteristics
Crew: two
Length: 24 ft 5.375 in (7.45 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 4 in (10.47 m)
Height: 8 ft 7.5 in (2.63 m)
Empty weight: 1,392 lb (631 kg)
Loaded weight: 1,937 lb (879 kg)
propeller, 180 hp (134 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 106 mph (171 km/h)
Range: 290 mi (467 km)
Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
Rate of climb: 738 ft/min (225 m/min)
Armament
(VE-7S) 1 Vickers .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun synchronize to fire through the
propeller
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