F7U-3 Cutlass Pilot Manual

Chance-Vought's F7U Cutlass was inspired by data retrieved from Germany's Arado Company at the end of WWII. To avoid extreme nose-down forces, the Cutlass was a "tail-less" aircraft. Its swept wings had vertical fins and "ailevator" control surfaces.

Although intended to operate at up to Mach .95, the aircraft was hampered by under-powered turbojets, and its nose-up profile made carrier landings dangerous.

Although its in-flight performance was acceptable, the Navy initially rejected the plane as unfit for carrier use. While nearly 200 F7U-3s were eventually delivered, they were retired only five years after their introduction.

Originally printed by the U.S. Navy, this F7U-3 Manual taught pilots everything they needed to know before entering the cockpit. It was recently declassified and is here reprinted in book form.

B&w interior, color covers, softbound, 120 pages.