Born 26 February 1890, Chance Vought was interested in mechanics early in life and studied engineering at the Pratt Institute, New York University and the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his pilot’s license in 1912 and in 1914 Chance designed his first airplane, the Vought-Mayo-Simplex. Vought’s father-in-law financed a joint venture, the Lewis and Vought Company in 1922, that became the Chance Vought Corporation in 1927 when Lewis retired. A string of successes followed acquisition of the company by United Aircraft in 1928, including the O2U Corsair, the SB2U Vindicator, the F4U Corsair, and its derivative the AU-1. Following the successful F-8 Crusader and the A-7 Corsair II, Vought would exit the aircraft manufacturing business to pursue diverse aerospace opportunities. Chance Vought died suddenly in 1930 but his legacy lives on today with the employees and the company that bares his name. Died July 25, 1930.
Inducted in 2017.
Portrait Location: Near R-44 and B-5 Brougham

Induction Video