F-4U Corsair

In production longer than any other U.S. fighter in World War II (1942-1952) with 12,582 built, the Vought F4U "Corsair" had several claims to fame. It was credited with an 11:1 ratio of kills to losses in action against Japanese aircraft and was the last piston-engine fighter in production for any of the U.S. services. Built around a powerful 2000 hp, double-bank radial engine, the distinctive feature of the F4U was the inverted gull-wing that provided less drag in flight, allowed for shorter landing gear to accommodate an oversized propeller, and enabled the wings to be folded directly over the canopy with room to spare on the hangar deck. The shorter landing gear permitted rearward retraction which in turn allowed for greater wing-fuel capacity.
 

The "Corsair" which was also produced by Goodyear as the FG and Brewster as the F3A-1D ended the war with 2,140 enemy aircraft destroyed with a loss of only 538 to enemy fire. Known to the Japanese as "Whistling Death" due to the whining noise it made in a dive, the "Corsair" also saw combat service during the Korean War in interdiction/support operations. The Navy's only Korean war ace was a "Corsair" night fighter pilot, while another pilot, LTJG Thomas Hudner, also flying an F4U, was awarded the Medal of Honor for landing under hostile fire, in enemy terrain, to attempt a valiant but unsuccessful effort to rescue the pilot who could not be extricated from his damaged cockpit following a forced landing.

Name:    Corsair

Designation:    F4U4/FG-1D/F4U-4

Type:    Carrier/Land Based Fighter/Bomber

Crew:    Pilot Only

Power Plant:    2,100 HP Pratt & Witney

Dimensions:    Span:    41'    Length:    33' 8"

Weight:    14,670

Speed:    447 MPH Max.

Range:    500 Miles

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