Vought | |||
VE-7 Bluebird
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Photo: Robert
Deering 4/18/2015 National Museum of Naval Aviation NAS Pensacola (NPA) Pensacola, Florida |
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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 a
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 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.
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Photo: Robert Deering 4/18/2015 National Museum of Naval Aviation NAS Pensacola (NPA) Pensacola, Florida |