Vought VE-10
{{Short description|American prototype flying boat}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Vought VE-10
| image = File:Vought VE-10.jpg
| image_caption = Vought VE-10
| alt =
| aircraft_type = Flying boat
| manufacturer = Vought
| design_group =
| designer =
| builder =
| first_flight = August 2, 1919
| introduction = 1919
| national_origin = United States
| status = Discontinued
| retired =
| primary_user =
| more_users =
| produced = 1919
| number_built = 1
| developed_from =
| variants =
| developed_into =
}}
The Vought VE-10 "Bat Boat" was an American biplane flying boat built in 1919 by Vought.
Design and development
Chance M. Vought announced the VE-10 at around the same time as work began on the VE-9. The aircraft had a short, 3-seat hull and was powered by a 90 hp Curtiss OX-5 V8 engine.
Operational history
The VE-10 made its maiden flight on August 2, 1919, with test pilots James A. Taylor, Jr. and Caleb S. Bragg at the controls.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kFBYAAAAYAAJ&dq=vought+ve-10&pg=RA9-PA7|title=Aircraft Journal|date=1919|publisher=Gardner-Moffat Company|language=en}} Pilots of the aircraft noted that it was well balanced, easy to control, and had performance similar to many land planes of the time. They also noted that it may have been able to perform stunts; an act that was rare for seaplanes at the time.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SAE-AQAAMAAJ&dq=vought+ve-10&pg=PA301|title=Aviation and Aeronautical Engineering|date=1919|publisher=Gardner, Moffat Company|language=en}} The September 13, 1919 issue of Aircraft Journal called it "one of the most promising commercial airplanes to make its appearance since the armistice". Despite the large public interest for the VE-10, Vought failed to sell any aircraft.{{Cite book|last=Moran|first=Gerard|title=Aeroplanes Vought 1917-1977|publisher=Historical Aviation Album|year=1978|isbn=0-911852-83-2|location=|pages=21}}
Vought offered the VE-10 to the US Navy, and "exhaustive" test flights were made by US Naval Air Service Commanders McDonald and Griffin, and US Army Lieutenant Colonel Harald E. Hartney. All three test pilots were pleased with the VE-10's flight characteristics, but as the Navy did not have a use for the aircraft other than unofficial flights, no orders were placed. The final disposition of the VE-10 is unknown.
Variants
;VE-10
:1 built
;VE-15
:Militarized derivative of the VE-10.{{Cite book|last=Millot|first=Bernard|title=Les Avions Vought|publisher=Lariviere|year=2004|isbn=2848900601|pages=526|language=French}} Not built.
Specifications (VE-10)
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
|genhide=
|crew=1
|capacity=2 passengers
|length m=
|length ft=27
|length in=0
|length note=
|upper span m=
|upper span ft=36
|upper span in=0
|upper span note=
|lower span m=
|lower span ft=28
|lower span in=4.5
|lower span note=
|height m=
|height ft=10
|height in=5
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=300
|wing area note=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=1,330
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=1,950
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Curtiss OX-5
|eng1 type=V8 engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=90
|eng1 shp=
|eng1 note=
|power original=
|thrust original=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name= wooden propeller
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|perfhide=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=80
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=46
|stall speed kts=
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|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
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|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=325
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
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|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
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|avionics=
}}
See also
{{aircontent
|similar aircraft=
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://books.google.com/books?id=AtqOSxG9N1YC&dq=vought+ve-10&pg=PA52 American Flying Boats and Amphibious Aircraft: An Illustrated History]
{{Vought aircraft}}
Category:1910s United States civil utility aircraft