To flight-test the concept of the XF5U a low-powered full-scale version was built as the V-173. Of wood and fabric construction, low-powered engines and fixed landing gear, this flew for the first time on 23 November 1942.
Vought V-173 on YOUTUBE
Specification
MODEL
V-173
ENGINE
2 x Continental A-80, 60kW
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed
222 km/h
138 mph
Ceiling
1500 m
4900 ft
Comments
ERAVAHFARCHIVE, e-mail, 12.02.2015 01:39
V-173 WAS FULLY RESTORED BY VOUGHT RETIREES AND IS DISPLAYED IN FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT AT DALLAS TEXAS LOVE FIELD ALONG WITH FULLY RESTORED A-7B, RF-8G & REG II MISSILE. SEE VOUGHT.ORG. ONLY RELATIONSHIP TO ARUP MACHINES WAS APPEARANCE ONLY. STU...IT COST A LOT MORE THAN FEW THOUSAND BUCKS.
Charles H. Zimmerman, who designed this aircraft, was among the NACA technicians who examined a similar aircraft in 1934, which had been designed by Dr. Cloyd L. Snyder, and which was called the Arup S-2. The Arup S-2 is listed on this website, and makes an interesting comparison with this aircraft, which became known unofficially as "Zimmer's Skimmer".
There is only one of these planes in existence now. The Vought Aircraft Company Retiree Club has completely restored it, and will soon place it in an aircraft museum in the Dallas area for everyone's enjoyment. Charles Lindburg flew this very same plane at one time.
I was a kid when this flew. I doubt that there was more than a few thousand bucks spent on it. It crash landed on the beach in front of my house once, was recovered and continued flying
I was working in the experimental hangar at vought sikorsky in 1942 and worked on the elevator aileron assy on this plane, this assy. was called an ailevator. I also recall watching out the back window of the hanger and watching Mr Sikorsky flying one of his early experimental helicopters.
