The two-place Lewis & Vought VE-7 Bluebird of 1917 was advertised post-WW1 as a sport and training plane. One prototype was built. The wings and tail of the prototype were located in a hangar after WW2, and rebuilt into Waterman Pusher).

The VE-7 was built in 1918 (The first production aircraft of Chance Vought) as an advanced military trainer, observer, and fighter. Fourteen went to the USAS including AS19898-19902 and AS40072 (One of two known to have been built at McCook Field). Reportedly four more were built by Springfield Co and possibly never assigned s/ns.) There were conversions to VE-7G, 7GS, and -7S.

The USN received twenty VE-7, A5661-5680, plus 39 built by NAF, A5942-5969, A5971, and A6011-6020.

Forty of the 1921 VE-7F were built, A5912-5941, and A6021-6030, plus 29, A5943-5971, by NAF. They were powered by 180hp Wright E-3 engines.

In 1921 twenty-three VE-7, A5681-5700 were converted to VE-7G by NAF with 180hp Hispano E engines and one was modified, A5685, as a VE-7GF.

NAF built nine VE-7H, A6436/6444, with 180hp Hispano E engines for the USN in 1924.

In 1925 forty VE-7S were built for the AAF plus eleven to the USN, A5942 and A6011-6020, as VE-7SF, and one, A5680, as VE-7S converted from a VE-7 by NAF.

A VE-7 was the first aircraft to fly from an aircraft carrier.

A scratch-built replica of the Bluebird was completed in early 2007 by volunteers of the Vought Aircraft Heritage Foundation.

VE-7 Bluebird prototype
Engine: 150hp Wright-Hispano A
Wingspan: 34’2″
Length: 24’6″
Useful load: 536 lb
Speed: 114 mph
Seats: 2

VE-7F
Engine: 180hp Wright E-3
Wingspan: 34’1″
Length: 24’5″
Speed: 119 mph
Ceiling: 19,200′

VE-7G
Engine: 180hp Hispano E

VE-7GF
Engine: 180hp Hispano E

VE-7H
Engine: 180hp Hispano E
Length: 31’1″
Speed: 110 mph
Ceiling: 14,800′

VE-7S
Engine: 180hp Hispano E
Length: 24’5″
Speed: 117 mph
Range: 290 mi
Ceiling: 15,000′
Seats: 1

VE-7SF
Engine: 180hp Hispano E
Length: 24’5″
Speed: 117 mph
Range: 290 mi
Ceiling: 15,000′
Seats: 1