A January 1954 Chance
Vought V-389 proposal was for an improved performance attack aircraft based
upon the A2U-1 Cutlass. The proposal featured a single Pratt and Whitney
J57-P-4 engine replacing the twin Westinghouse J46 engines. A new fuselage
section from the inlets aft would be required to house the single engine. The
V-389 would share major components of the A2U-1 including wings, vertical
tails, landing gear and forward fuselage.
The powerplant change caused a significant increase in
radius of action, 280 nautical miles for a total radius of 605 NM while using
only internal fuel and carrying two 2,000 lb bombs.
The V-389 equipped with
external fuel and a “special weapon*” had a radius of 815 NM.
AIRPLANE
|
V-389
|
A2U-1
|
||
ENGINE
|
J57-P-4
|
TWO J46-WE-18
|
||
Loading
|
Two 2,000 lb Bombs
|
3,500 lb Store, 300 Gallon Drop Tank and 220 Gallon Fuel Pack
|
Two 2,000 lb Bombs
|
3,500 lb Store, 300 Gallon Drop Tank and 220 Gallon Fuel Pack
|
Gross Weight
|
34,830 lbs.
|
38,170 lbs.
|
33,950 lbs.
|
37,330 lbs.
|
Combat Radius (NM)
|
605
|
815
|
325
|
500
|
Max Speed, Sea Level Clean Configuration (kts)
|
598
|
598
|
593
|
593
|
There appeared to be little official interest in the
proposal and eventually the entire A2U-1 program was canceled. The V-389 is
left as another interesting “what if”.
Data from Vought Report 8846 NARA II
*The F7U-3 was cleared in separation tests to carry the Mk
7, 8, 11, and 12 stores.
The A2U-1 cancellation occurred November 19, 1954
