XTBU-1 Mockup 76 Years Later Part Four

     Here are the images of the tunnel gun installation for lower rear defense of the XTBU-1. Also included in this series is a view from the inside looking at the gun installation. Chance Vought photos from NARA II RG72 collection.

VS-1171-XTBU-1-Mockup--Tunnel-Gun-Sighting-Aft-1940504

VS-1172-XTBU-1-Mockup--Tunnel-Gun-Sighting-Down-1940504

VS-1173-XTBU-1-Mockup--Tunnel-Gun-Sighting-To-Side-1940504

VS-1187-XTBU-1-Mockup--Gun-Turret-Interior---1940504

XTBU-1 Mockup 76 Years Later Part Three

     Continuing on with the series on the XTBU-1 mockup. Here is a series of five photographs that show the turret gun installation. Each of the photos shows the turret in a different position showing it's flexibility and fields of fire for defense of the TBU from upper, rear and side attack, The tunnel gun will be in a further posting. All photos Vought via NARA II RG72.

VS-1636-XTBU-1-Mockup--Gun-Turret-Sighting-Aft---1940727

VS-1637-XTBU-1-Mockup--Gun-Turret-Sighting-Forward-1940727

VS-1638-XTBU-1-Mockup--Gun-Turret-Sighting-Up---1940727

VS-1639-XTBU-1-Mockup--Gun-Turret-Sighting-Up---1940727

VS-1640-XTBU-1-Mockup--Gun-Turret-Sighting-Side-and-Down-1940727

XTBU-1 Mockup 76 Years Later Part Two

     Continuing with the series on the XTBU-1 mockup here are photos of the aircraft in the flight level position, wing folded, from the front and a side view with the cabin enclosure open. Of additional interest is the XF4U mockup with the original tail hook concept sharing the same space in the hangar. NARA II Photos RG 72AC Box101.

VS-1121-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-Flight-Attitude-1940504

VS-1138-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-Rear-View-Wing-Folded-1940504

VS-1139-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-Front-View-1940504

VS-1140-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-Front-View-Wing-Folded-1940504

VS-1141-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-Left-Side-Cabins-Open-1940504

XTBU-1 Mockup 76 Years Later Part One

     Vought's entry in the competition to replace the Douglas TBD torpedo bomber became a footnote in history due to the success of it's stablemate the F4U and the lack of production space at the factory. The aircraft was sleeker and provided better performance than it's Grumman competitor the XTBF-1. 
     Production rights were transferred to Consolidated as the TBY-2 and eventually less than 200 were manufactured before the end of the war caused contract cancellation.

     Here are the mockup photos of the XTBU-1 taken on May 4, 1940 showing the design from several different angles. Photos are from NARA II Collection 72AC Box101C.

VS-1120-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-3-Point-Attitude-1940504

VS-1137-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Bomber-Rear-View-1940504

VS-1147-XTBU-1-Mockup-Powerplant-and-Fixed-Gun-Right-Side-1940504

VS-1154-XTBU-1-Mockup-Torpedo-Installation-1940504