What flaw sank Vought's all-metal V-141 fighter?

Short answer

It wasn't a single flaw: tests showed the V-141 still flew poorly, was prone to spinning, and also suffered tail flutter, which is why it was rejected. It inherited the instability and spin tendency from Northrop's XFT, the prototype it derived from.

Published: October 31, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

What flaw sank Vought's all-metal V-141 fighter?

F4U at 2023 Oshkosh

Where the V-141 came from

The V-141 did not start from scratch: it was a development of the XFT, Northrop's carrier fighter prototype, and shared its instability and tendency to enter a spin. It also derived from the failed Northrop 3-A design, which itself turned out to be a failure. To try to fix the handling problems inherited from the XFT and the 3-A, a larger rudder was fitted.

Spin and tail flutter

Tests showed the V-141 still handled poorly in flight and was prone to spinning. On top of that, it suffered tail flutter. With that combination of flaws, the fighter was rejected. The competition's main winner was Seversky, with an order for 77 P-35s. The aircraft was judged inferior to existing Japanese fighters.

Rebuilds and a test that never happened

In May 1937 the aircraft was rebuilt again, with a lengthened rear fuselage and a new, taller tail. When the Argentines demanded that the spin characteristics be demonstrated without a parachute, Vought refused.