WU-1

The Vought WU‑1 was a prototype light utility aircraft produced in the early 1930s as Vought’s response to the United States Navy’s demand for a versatile training and liaison platform. Conceived by the company’s chief designer, the WU‑1 combined a low‑wing monoplane layout with an all‑metal stressed‑skin fuselage, a departure from the wood‑and‑fabric biplanes that dominated the era. Powered by a 450‑horsepower Wright R‑1820 radial engine, the aircraft achieved a top speed of 210 mph, a service ceiling of 22 000 feet, and a range of 850 miles, making it suitable for both coastal patrols and short‑range transport. Its cockpit featured dual controls, a sliding canopy, and an innovative instrument panel that foreshadowed later naval avionics. Although only three prototypes were built before the program was cancelled in favor of the more powerful Vought OS2U Kingfisher, the WU‑1 demonstrated Vought’s ability to integrate modern metal construction techniques and high‑power engines into a compact airframe. The design lessons learned directly influenced the development of Vought’s subsequent scout‑observation aircraft, cementing the WU‑1’s place as a key stepping stone in the evolution of naval aviation during the interwar period.