Vought F4U Corsair
by: RLindsey
Total views: 362
Word Count: 342
The Chance Vought F4U Corsair is one of the most unique looking aircraft of World War II. The Corsair can claim to be one the best fighter planes of the war as well. Many people are familiar with the inverted gullwing fighter from the book and television show “Baa Baa Black Sheep” about Marine pilot Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington.
The gullwing design was necessary because the powerful engine required a large propeller, but the requirements of a carrier-based fighter needed shorter retractable wheels.
The first F4U Corsairs were delivered to the U.S. Navy 31 July 1942. The first planes did not fair well for carrier deployment so they sent to land-based Marine units. Advancements in the design allowed the F4U to be placed on carriers, first by the British in mid-1943. United States aircraft carries began using the Corsair in April 1944. Corsairs were in use into the Korean War and the U.S. stopped using them in 1953. Other countries to use F4Us include France, Australia, and many Latin American countries. The last air combat between piston-engined fighters included Corsairs. The 1970 “Soccer War” between Honduras and El Salvador included Vought Corsairs on both sides.
Type: fighter-bomber
County: United States
Length: 34 feet 6 inches (10.53m)
Wingspan: 40 feet 11.75 inches (12.48m)
Speed: 470 mph (756 km/h)
Ceiling: 44,000 feet (13,1410m)
Range: 1,015 miles (1,633 km)
Engines: one 2,850 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-32W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial
Crew: one
Armament: four 0.79 inch (20mm) cannon or six 0.50 caliber machine guns, 5,200 lbs (2,359 kg) bombs
F4U-2 Corsair U.S. Navy Fighter. Series C, Number Two. Aircraft carriers today rely for their striking power upon shipboard fighters. The U.S. Navy is proud of its Vought-Sikorsky F4U-2 which, in spite of its terrific speed, estimated at 420 m.p.h., has performed shipboard tests that were highly successful. A giant 2000 h.p. Pratt & Whitney furnishes ample power for this fighting ship with its heavy armament. Co-operation of Flying and Popular Aviation. This is one of a series of fifty pictures of Modern Airplanes packed with WINGS Cigarettes.
About the Author
Robert M. Lindsey http://lindseyfreelancing.com/
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