09/30/2010. Remarks by
Johan Visschedijk: "Vought's last biplane for the US Navy originated in 1932 in response to a specification for a two-seat fighter, but it was produced and put into service only in the scout-bomber role. The specification, Bureau of Aeronautics Design 113, was written in the light of somewhat unsatisfactory operations by the Curtiss F8C-4 Helldivers, and specified higher engine power and better slow-speed performance for carrier deck operations.
The Chance Vought Division of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, at East Hartford, Connecticut, which had produced the XF2U-1 prototype in competition with the Curtiss F8C, was one of seven manufacturers competing for the USN two-seat fighter Design 113. Vought submitted a proposal in April 1932.
XF3U-1 (9222) (
Aubry Gratton Collection)
On June 30, 1932, Vought received a contract for a prototype designated XF3U-1 with BuNo. 9222. First flown on May 9, 1933, the XF3U-1 was a biplane of conventional metal construction with fabric covering and powered by the fully-cowled small-diameter 700 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-64 fourteen-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial engine. Development was slow, with tunnel-testing at
NACA Langley.
However, in November 1933, the Navy asked Vought to modify the XF3U-1 into a prototype scout-bomber designated XSBU-1, and indicated a likely requirement for at least 27 production models. Modifications included greater internal fuel capacity, stronger and larger wings, provision for a 500 lb (227 kg) bomb under the fuselage and other smaller items.
The XSBU-1 was, in fact, a new airframe with the XF3U-1's original engine and equipment, but when delivered to the Navy for trials in June 1934 it retained the same serial number. A year later, the original XF3U-1 airframe was resurrected as a test bed for Pratt & Whitney engines and received the new BuNo. 9746.
SBU-1 (9750) (
Bill Pippin Collection)
A production order for 84 SBU-1s (BuNos. 9750 to 9833) was placed with Vought in January 1935. They were similar to the prototype scout-bomber version, with R-1535-80 engines and an armament of one 0.30 in (7.62 mm) fixed forward-firing and one 0.30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun flexibly mounted in rear cockpit, plus the external bomb.
SBU-1 (9802) (
Ray Crupi Collection)
Deliveries began on November 20, 1935, with Scouting Squadron VS-3B the first to be equipped, followed by VS-2B and VS-1B.
SBU-2 (0833) (
Ray Crupi Collection)
A second batch of 40 of the Vought scout-bombers were built as SBU-2s (BuNos. 0802 to 0841) with R-1535-98 engines and minor changes. Late in 1937, 24 of these SBU-2s were delivered, new, to the Naval Reserves, serving until 1941.
V-142 Corsair (
Georg v. Rauch Collection)
Also in 1937, fourteen aircraft where delivered to the Argentine Navy under the designation V-142 Corsair.
During night carrier landing practice at
NAS San Diego on August 25, 1938, Lieutenant (jg) Robert B. Moore of VS-42 experienced an engine failure just after take off in BuNo. 9750, and the aircraft ditched. The SBU-1 stayed afloat for thirty seconds, during which the crew escaped, Moore sustaining minor injuries, Seaman 1st Class Harold Stang staying unharmed."
