V-389 Attack Aircraft

  

     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

Other A2U related posts: (here) (and here)