HOME      Vought XF5U

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
Vought XF5U aircraft are among the most unusual looking aircraft ever to fly.
 
Development of the Vought XF5U carrier based fighter began just before the start of the second World War. The idea behind the Vought XF5U "pancake" shaped aircraft was to generate maximum lift for easily controlled aircraft carrier landings, yet be streamlined enough to allow for fast maximum speeds.
 
Test flights of pre production Vought XF5U aircraft were performed during World War II and found minor problems which probably would have been overcome with time. However, after the war and with the advent of the "jet age", the Navy saw the future as aircraft without propellers. Therefore work on the Vought XF5U "Flying Pancake" was discontinued after March 17, 1947.
 

Specifications

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        First Flight:
experimental
one
P&W R-2000
2 x 1,350 hp ea.
28' 7"
32' 6"
13,107 lbs.
18,770 lbs.
6- .50 cal.
2,000 lbs.
175 mph
425 mph
1,720 fpm
34,500 feet
1,050 miles
11/23/42
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane built by Bill Wargo.
 
Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
 
Pictured above is the nice looking Vought XF5U prototype radio control airplane built by Bill Wargo. Unfortunately we do not have any details about the RC Airplane.
 
The first picture below is of the Vought XF5U "flying pancake" radio control airplane built by Brukefj of RC Groups. Construction material of the RC Airplane is of Depron foam. Tailerons of the radio control airplane span 37". The RC Vought XF5U Airplane has a wing span of 33". Power from the radio control airplane comes from two 2208-17 outrunner brushless motors turning 8 x 3.8 propellers.
 
The next two pictures below are of the rc Vought XF5U "flying pancake" airplane built by Giuseppe Ghisleri. The radio control airplane is built from Depron and blue foam and has a wing span of 42". Two speed 400 motors geared 2:1 power the RC Airplane. Giuseppe uses a catapult to launch his radio control airplane. All up weight of the rc airplane is 38 oz.
 
The last picture on this page is of the Vought XF5U "flying Pancake" radio control airplane scratch built by Larry Botsford.  The RC Vought XF5U Airplane is 1/6 scale and powered by AXI 4120/18 motors.  All up weight of the radio control airplane is exactly 15 lbs.  Larry reports that his RC Airplane is easy to fly, but landings take some extra attention.   
 
Through the years we have seen a number of plans for the Vought XF5U "Flying Pancake" radio control airplane, but never a kit or ARF. There were some really good looking rc Vought XF5U airplanes built from Jack Bale Plans, but the plans no longer seem to be available.
 
If you know of a kit, plans, or ARF's of the Vought XF5U "flying pancake," radio control airplane, or have constructed a RC Vought XF5U airplane, please email us about it.



Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane built Burkefj of RC Groups.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane built by Giuseppe Ghisleri.

Radio Control Airplane
Giuseppe Ghisleri launching his rc airplane.
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane built by Larry Botsford.