Vought F4U Corsair

Vought F4U Corsair
Name	F4U Corsair
Caption	A restored F4U-4 Corsair in flight.
Type	Fighter/Fighter-bomber
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Chance Vought
First flight	29 May 1940
Introduction	28 December 1942
Retired	1979 (Honduras)
Primary users	United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Royal Navy, French Navy
Number built	12,571
Developed into	Goodyear F2G

Vought F4U Corsair was an American fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Designed and manufactured by Chance Vought, it was quickly recognizable by its distinctive inverted gull wing. The Corsair was designed as a carrier-based fighter but entered service with land-based United States Marine Corps squadrons, later becoming a highly effective fighter-bomber.

Design and development

The development of the aircraft was led by Rex Beisel and the team at Chance Vought in response to a 1938 United States Navy requirement for a high-performance, carrier-based fighter. A key design goal was to accommodate the largest available engine, the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine, while using a propeller of sufficient diameter. The innovative inverted gull wing design minimized the length of the landing gear and addressed aerodynamic challenges. The first prototype, designated the Vought XF4U-1, first flew from Stratford, Connecticut in 1940 and later became the first U.S. single-engine production aircraft to exceed 400 mph in level flight. Early testing revealed issues with carrier suitability, including poor visibility over the long nose and problematic stall characteristics, which led to significant modifications before fleet introduction.

Operational history

The Corsair initially entered combat in February 1943 with Marine Fighter Squadron 124 (VMF-124) operating from Guadalcanal, providing crucial air support during the Solomon Islands campaign. Its combat prowess against Japanese fighters like the Mitsubishi A6M Zero during the Pacific War was legendary, leading to an impressive kill ratio. The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm also employed modified Corsairs from aircraft carriers like HMS Victorious, notably during attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz in Operation Tungsten. After World War II, the aircraft saw extensive action as a fighter-bomber during the Korean War, providing close air support for United Nations forces. It served with several air arms, including the French Navy during the First Indochina War and the conflict in Algeria.

Variants

Numerous variants were produced by Chance Vought, Goodyear, and Brewster Aeronautical Corporation. The initial production model was the F4U-1, with sub-variants like the F4U-1C equipped with cannons. The F4U-4, introduced in 1944, featured a more powerful engine with water injection and a four-bladed propeller. Goodyear built the FG-1 and the later, more powerful Goodyear F2G. The F4U-5, with a redesigned engine cowling and all-metal wings, was optimized for the Korean War. The final production version was the AU-1, a specialized ground-attack variant for the United States Marine Corps. Post-war, many aircraft were modified for use in air racing, such as those seen at the National Championship Air Races.

Operators

The primary operator was the United States Navy, with significant use by the United States Marine Corps and the United States Coast Guard. The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm was a major Allied operator. Other operators included the French Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force during the Pacific War, and several Latin American air forces, such as those of Argentina, Honduras, and El Salvador. The type remained in service with some nations, like Honduras, into the late 1970s.

Specifications (F4U-4)

* **Crew:** 1 * **Length:** 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m) * **Wingspan:** 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m) * **Height:** 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m) * **Empty weight:** 9,205 lb (4,175 kg) * **Powerplant:** 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W radial engine * **Maximum speed:** 446 mph (718 km/h) * **Range:** 1,005 mi (1,617 km) * **Service ceiling:** 41,500 ft (12,600 m) * **Armament:** 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns or 4 × 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannons; up to 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) of bombs or 8 × High Velocity Aircraft Rockets

Cultural impact

The Corsair achieved lasting fame as the aircraft of legendary United States Marine Corps pilots like Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, commander of VMF-214 (the "Black Sheep Squadron"). Its distinctive sound, created by the engine's impinging on the wing root, earned it the Japanese nickname "Whistling Death." The aircraft has been prominently featured in numerous films and television series about World War II, including Baa Baa Black Sheep. It remains a favorite among historians and aviation enthusiasts, with many airworthy examples preserved and flown at events like the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow.

Category:United States fighter aircraft 1940–1949 Category:World War II fighter aircraft of the United States Category:Carrier-based aircraft