{"product_id":"f7u-stars-stripes-structured-twill-cap","title":"F7U Stars \u0026 Stripes Structured Twill Cap","description":"The Vought F7U Cutlass was one of the most radical jet fighters to operate from a United States Navy carrier deck. Developed in response to a 1945 Navy requirement, it featured a tailless configuration, broad swept wings, twin engines buried in the fuselage and vertical stabilisers mounted on the wings. Its unusual layout has often been compared with wartime German aerodynamic research, although the extent of any direct influence remains disputed. The XF7U-1 prototype first flew on Sep 29ᵗʰ, 1948.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Cutlass was intended to serve as a carrier-based fighter and fighter-bomber. The XF7U-1 and F7U-1 used Westinghouse J34 turbojets, while the first 16 F7U-3 airframes, including the prototype, received interim Allison J35 engines before the Westinghouse J46 became available. Even with the J46, the aircraft remained underpowered and suffered from poor acceleration, unreliable hydraulic systems and serious problems with its long and complex nose landing gear. Its difficult take-offs, high landing speeds and demanding carrier-handling characteristics contributed to nicknames including “Gutless Cutlass” and “Ensign Eliminator.”\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nThe F7U-3 entered fleet squadron service in 1954 and equipped 13 U.S. Navy squadrons. Ninety-eight missile-capable F7U-3M aircraft were completed with provision for AAM-N-2 Sparrow I air-to-air missiles. In Mar 1956, VA-83 deployed aboard USS Intrepid, becoming the first U.S. Navy squadron equipped with guided air-to-air missiles to deploy overseas. The Cutlass never saw combat and was withdrawn as more capable aircraft, including the F9F-8 Cougar and F8U Crusader, entered service.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\nA total of 320 Cutlasses were built across all variants. The type recorded 78 accidents during approximately 55,000 flying hours, with about one-quarter of the fleet lost. Twenty-one Navy pilots and four test pilots were killed. Although its service career was short and troubled, the Cutlass introduced advanced features including swept wings, afterburning engines, fully powered flight controls and guided missile armament. It remains one of the most distinctive U.S. naval fighters of the 1950s.\u003cbr\u003e\n","brand":"I Love a Hangar","offers":[{"title":"Dark Navy \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393302311,"sku":"3936268_5278","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dark Navy \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393335079,"sku":"3936268_5279","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393367847,"sku":"3936268_5276","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393400615,"sku":"3936268_5277","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Royal Blue \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393433383,"sku":"3936268_5286","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Royal Blue \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393466151,"sku":"3936268_5287","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393498919,"sku":"3936268_5288","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393531687,"sku":"3936268_5289","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Olive \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393564455,"sku":"3936268_15901","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Olive \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393597223,"sku":"3936268_15902","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dark Grey \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393629991,"sku":"3936268_5280","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dark Grey \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393662759,"sku":"3936268_5281","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393695527,"sku":"3936268_5282","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393728295,"sku":"3936268_5283","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Khaki \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393761063,"sku":"3936268_5292","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Khaki \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393793831,"sku":"3936268_5293","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ S\/M","offer_id":51640393826599,"sku":"3936268_5274","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White \/ L\/XL","offer_id":51640393859367,"sku":"3936268_5275","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0063\/1219\/8232\/files\/closed-back-structured-cap-white-front-6a55a0482d63e.jpg?v=1783996511","url":"https:\/\/iloveahangar.com\/products\/f7u-stars-stripes-structured-twill-cap","provider":"I Love a Hangar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}