VE-7 Bluebird

The Vought VE‑7, often called the “Bluebird,” was the United States Navy’s first indigenous carrier‑borne fighter. Developed from the earlier V‑33 series, the VE‑7 first flew in early 1922 and entered service later that year as a two‑seat biplane scout‑fighter. Powered by a 400‑horse‑power Wright R‑1820 radial engine, it featured a wooden fuselage with fabric covering, staggered unequal‑span wings, and a fixed, tailskid landing gear. Its armament consisted of a forward‑firing .30‑caliber machine gun for the pilot and a second gun for the observer, plus limited bomb‑carrying capability. On 26 October 1922 the VE‑7 became the first aircraft to launch from a moving deck when Lieutenant Commander Joseph M. Reeves piloted it from the USS Langley, marking a milestone in carrier aviation. Though quickly eclipsed by more powerful monoplanes, the VE‑7 proved reliable for training, reconnaissance, and early carrier operations, and its success helped establish Vought as a premier naval aircraft builder. The Bluebird’s historic carrier launch and its role in shaping early fleet air tactics secure its place as a seminal step in the evolution of modern naval aviation. Its legacy continues to inspire contemporary naval design.

Vought

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