F7U Cutlass – PDF

The Vought F7U Cutlass was developed during the late 1940s to provide the U.S. Navy with a new generation of high-performance carrier-based fighters capable of meeting the challenges of the emerging jet age. Designed by Chance Vought, the aircraft featured an innovative tailless configuration, sharply swept wings, twin turbojet engines, and a distinctive nose-high landing attitude. Drawing heavily on aerodynamic research conducted during and after World War II, the Cutlass represented one of the most ambitious fighter designs of its era.

Entering service during the height of the Cold War, the F7U was intended to serve as a fleet defense interceptor and fighter-bomber aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The aircraft incorporated several advanced features, including hydraulic flight controls and provisions for guided missiles, reflecting the rapid evolution of naval aviation during the 1950s. However, persistent engine reliability problems and demanding carrier handling characteristics limited its operational effectiveness and prevented it from achieving its full potential.

Although the Cutlass never saw combat, its unconventional design provided valuable lessons that influenced later generations of naval aircraft. Many of the aerodynamic concepts explored in the F7U would become commonplace on future high-performance fighters. While its operational career was relatively brief, the Cutlass remains one of the most distinctive and recognizable aircraft of the Cold War, remembered for its bold engineering and its role in advancing jet-powered carrier aviation.

What’s Included:

• 12 1.5” square counter images
• 24 1” square counter images
• 35 .75” square counter images
• 40 .625” square counter images
• Numbered Images to assist with game organization and tracking
• Printable PDF format for personal gaming use

Each image size is contained on a ½ sheet.

• Enables users to save paper and print 2 types of aircraft on the same page.
• Print one set of aircraft images then reverse the page in the printer and print a second type of your choice on the same page.