"The F6U-1 had proven so sub-marginal in performance that combat utilization is not feasible." The aircraft ended up being used primarily to develop arresting gear and barriers, but were used operationally for a short time by at least one Texas-based United States Naval Reserve squadron as they transferred to jets. The 30 production aircraft had only a total of 945 hours of flight time, 31.5 hours each. Some aircraft flew only six hours which was enough for little more than their acceptance flight and the flight to their disposition. The downfall of the aircraft was that it was underpowered and was at times considered "sub-marginal", not an unusual problem with jets of the era. Variants XF6U-1: Three prototypes, two with a Westinghouse J34-WE-22 turbojet engine (BuNo 33532, 33533), one with a J34-WE-30 with afterburner (BuNo 33534). F6U-1: Afterburner-equipped production version, 30 built (BuNo 122478-122507), 35 cancelled. F6U-1P: Conversion of one F6U-1 (BuNo 122483) for photo-reconnaissance. Operators United States Navy VX-3 Survivors Although the F6U had a very short operational career, one example remains intact (122479, Vought production number 2) and has undergone restoration by the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation, at the Vought plant in Grand Prairie, Texas. , the aircraft is currently at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola Florida. Specifications (F6U-1) See also References Bibliography Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1988. . Koehnen, Richard. Chance Vought F6U Pirate (Naval Fighters Number Nine). Simi Valley, California: Ginter Books, 1983. . Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, Third edition, 1990. . Further reading F6U Vought F6U Single-engined jet aircraft Low-wing aircraft Carrier-based aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1946