F7U-3P Part Two

     For those of you who are interested in the details of the reconnaissance portion of the proposal there were a number of images surrounding the camera installations in the F7U-3P.

CVA-10317 F7U-3P General Reconnaissance Configuration 19520613

     The general reconnaissance configuration has a P-2 strike camera in the nose with a K17 camera in Station One along with a K17 or a K38 camera in Station Two with a fixed or rotatable mounts. 

CVA-10318 F7U-3P Mapping and Charting Configuration 19520613

     The charting and mapping configuration removes the P-2 camera from the nose and installs a K17 or CA-8 or T-11 camera in Station One. Station Two is configured with a K17, CA-8 or T-11 Tri-Metrogon assembly.

CVA-10319 F7U-3P Beach and Offshore Reconnaissance Configuration 19520613

     The Beach and Offshore reconnaissance configuration removes the P-2 camera in the nose and adds the CAS-2 rotatable camera in Station Two. The equipment in Station One cannot be properly identified at this time. 

CVA-10320 F7U-3P Night Reconnaissance Configuration 19520613

     The night reconnaissance configuration again leaves the forward bay empty. Station One contains a shutter trip control and Station Two contains a K37 camera.

CVA-10325 F7U-3P Sub Cockpit Showing Camera Viewfinder 19520613

     The photo above shows the viewfinder for the camera installations when the photography is taking place forward or vertically. For visual reference the nose of the aircraft is to the right in the photo.

     That closes out this installment of the F7U-3P mockup. The final installment will feature a few more details and additional information on the design.

F7U-3P Mockup

     Typical with the majority of Naval Aviation fighter designs from WWII to the 1950's a photo reconnaissance version of the F7U-3 Cutlass was proposed and 12 examples eventually built. The type was not issued for squadron service.

xF7U-3P-Concept-with-Cameras-Airbrused-Photo VAHF Archive

     The photo above is a combination of photograph and artist rendering showing a shorter nose than was installed on the actual F7U-3P aircraft. Interesting array of cameras displayed in front of the aircraft as well.

     Contrast the artists composite concept above with an actual F7U-3P (BuNo 129750) on the Vought ramp. The length of the nose and camera window details vary from the concept to the actual.

F7U-3P-129750-Left-Front-View VAHF Archives

     Found in RG72 at the National Archives are the following images of the F7U-3P mockup.

First up is this image of the whole forward fuselage and cockpit section of the mockup.

CVA-10328-F7U-3P-Mockup-19520613

     Below a closeup of the camera window protective covers installed on the F7U-3P mockup.

CVA-10612-F7U-3P-Mockup-Camera-Window-Covers-19520627

     The following image is of the F7U-3P mockup nose section with all the servicing panels open. The panels allow a tremendous level of access to the cameras, optical sight and associated equipment. The first major disadvantage is illustrated in the next image.

CVA-10316-F7U-3P-Mockup-Service-View-19520613

     This photo illustrates the major disadvantage to having a photo version of the F7U-3. The nose high stance of the aircraft makes camera installation and servicing difficult. The height requires the use of a specialized stand to gain access to the cameras and film..

CVA-10618-F7U-3P-Mockup-Camera-Bay-Access-Ladder-19520627

     Mockup photos from the National Archives RG72, College Park, MD