Arsenal VG.90

The VG.90 naval prototype was developed from the VG.70 as part of a single-seat shipboard interceptor and strike fighter development programme in competition with the Aerocentre NC 1080 and the Nord 2200.

Designed by Vernisse and Galtier, the first two VG.90 prototypes were built of wood, and the first of these made its maiden flight on 27 September 1949 and the second in June 1951: both aircraft were lost in accidends.

Powered by a 2268kg Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet, the VG 90 had an all-metal fuselage, and the wing and tail surfaces were metal structures with plywood skinning.
Planned armament comprised three 30mm Hispano-Suiza cannon and provision was made for underwing ordnance loads, such as two 500kg bombs. The second prototype had provision for two 20mm cannon, two 7.7mm machine guns and 36 RAC 50 rockets internally, plus 16 T10 or 80 RAC 50 rockets on wing racks. A third all-metal prototype, which was to be powered by a 4000kg SNECMA Atar 101F turbojet, never flew and was abandoned. Full performance trials were not completed and the following data are manufacturer's estimates for the VG 90 with a 2850kg version of the Hispano-Suiza-built Nene.

Take-off weight: 8090 kg / 17835 lb
Empty weight: 5100 kg / 11244 lb
Wingspan: 12.60 m / 41 ft 4 in
Length: 13.44 m / 44 ft 1 in
Height: 3.55 m / 11 ft 8 in
Wing area: 30.7 sq.m / 330.45 sq ft
Max. speed: 920 km/h / 572 mph
Range: 1550 km / 963 miles