Vought VS-319

1941 WORLD WAR 2 X-PLANE

• 1 Vought VS-319 History
• 2 Vought VS-319 Specification
  • 2.1 BASICS
  • 2.2 Roles
  • 2.3 Dimensions and Weight
  • 2.4 Performance
  • 2.5 Weapons

Vought VS-319 History

During World War II, the US Navy employed effective carriers and aircraft for attack missions. Among these was the "reconnaissance bomber," a long-range seaplane designed to drop bombs accurately. These planes, operated by a crew of two to three, featured a single engine and rear-mounted machine guns for defense.

In the 1930s, the US Navy sought improved carrier-based aircraft, prompting a competition involving manufacturers like Brewster, Chance Vought, Curtiss, and Douglas. Chance Vought's proposal, the "VS-319," emerged in 1941 but was eventually abandoned. The VS-319 featured a circular fuselage housing an engine in the front, a crew canopy in the rear, and a distinct narrowing towards the tail. It boasted folding wings for carrier storage, armaments like machine guns and turrets, and was powered by the reliable Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine. Despite promising drawings, flaws such as landing gear and armament issues led to the project's lack of funding.

In terms of specifications, the VS-319 measured around 38.9 feet in length, possessed a wingspan of 46.1 feet, and weighed 14,515 lbs. Capable of reaching speeds of 300 mph, it could fly up to 29,000 feet and cover distances of 1,545 miles. Despite its potential, design shortcomings prevented the VS-319 from being realized beyond conceptual stages.

Vought VS-319 Specification

BASICS

Year of Service: 1941

Origins: United States

Status: Cancel

Crew: 2

Production: 0

Manufacturer: Chance Vought / Sikorsky - USA

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Disable support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 38.9 feet (11.85m)

Width/span: 46.3 feet (14.10m)

MTOW: 14,517 lbs (6,585 kg)

Performance

Installed: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp dual-row air-cooled 18-cylinder radial piston engine producing 2,000 hp and driving a three-bladed propeller unit in the nose.

Maximum speed: 298 km/h (480 km/h | 259 knots)

Maximum: 29,003 feet (8,840 m | 5 km)

Area: 1,544 km (2,485 km | 4,602 nautical miles)

Weapons

Recommended, Standard:

2x .50 caliber .50 Browning M2 Heavy Machine Guns (HMG) mounted on fixed forward firing brackets on the wings (one on the wing, outside the wing crease).

1 x .50 .50 caliber Browning M2 HMG in a trainable rear-facing dorsal turret.

1 x .50 caliber Browning M2 HMG in a trainable rear-facing ventral turret.

Proposed, optional:

Conventional bomb load maintained between 1,500 and 2,500 pounds externally and internally (estimated).