So... just how well did that thing work? lol.
The V-173 concept prototype was a marvel. It had a landing speed of around 30 mph, was virtually impossible to stall or spin. It was very fast for its low power (two 80 hp engines). The 2,700 hp XF5U-1 offered good performance on paper, but nothing better than was already in the fleet in 1945. Where it was expected to excel was in maneuverability. Engineers at Vought claimed that it would easily turn inside a Zero. They may not have been overstating it either. The problem was that the program was delayed 2 years while the complicated props and reduction gear was developed. Even though the airframe was ready in 1945, the aircraft wasn't ready to begin tethered ground tests (it would take off at 40 mph) until late 1947. When the time came to ship it to Muroc Field (now Edwards AFB)for flight testing, it was already obsolete. Jet's were entering service and the XF5U-1 was no longer needed or wanted. The program was canceled and it was scrapped before it could make its first untethered flight. I read somewhere that the airframe failure loading was estimated at 13g. Not surprising when one considers the shape and construction.
Projected performance:
Speed: 425 mph @ 21,500 feet and 366 mph at sea level.
Climb: About 3,600 fpm at max takeoff weight, approximately 4,200 fpm in "interceptor configuration".
Range: 710 miles
Landing speed: 40 mph
Takeoff run: 200 feet
Power on stall: 33 mph
Armament: 4 x 20mm, 2,000 lb of bombs.
My regards,
Widewing
