F4U-4 CORSAIR(9002)

Vought F4U and Goodyear FG-1 Corsair       USA

Type:single-engined fighter

Accommodation:pilot

Designed as a lightweight fighter tailored around the most powerful piston engine then available Vought’s prototype XF4U-1 was ordered by the US Navy in June 1938 following a study of their V-166 proposal.In order to harness the immense power of the Pratt Œ Whitney XR-2800 Double Wasp engine.the largest diameter propeller ever fitted to a fighter up to that point in aeronautical history had to be  bolted onto the front of the prototype-sufficient ground clearance for the prop was achieved through the use of a distinctive inverted gull wing.The future looked rosy for the aircraft.but modifications incorporated into the design as a result of lessons learned in combat over Europe detrimentally affected the Corsair.As a result of these problems it was left to land-based marine corps units to debut the aircraft in combat in early 1934-the Fleet Air Arm also commenced operations with the Corsair that same year.but crucially-from the decks of carriers.By mid –1944 Vought had rectified the handling problems and the Corsair became suitable for deck operations With the US Navy.Unlike other navy fighters.the Corsair enjoyed a prosperous postwar career.with both Vought- and Goodyear-built aircraft remaining in service until after the Korean War Indeed .the final F4U-7(built for the French Aeronavale)did not roll off the vought production line until 31 January 1952.this aircraft being the 12.571^st.and last Corsair built

Today.around 35 Corsairs remain airworthy,the majority of which are based in the USA.

Specification:

Dimensions:

Length:33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)

Wingspan:40 ft 11 in (12.47 m)

Height:14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)

Weights:

Empty:9205 lb (4175 kg)

Max T/O:14 670 lb (6654 kg)

Performance:

Max speed:446 mph (718 kmh)

Range:1560 miles (2511 km)

Powerplant:pratt Πwhitney r-2800-8w (F4U-1A/FG-1).R-2800-18w (F4U/-7) and R-2800-32E (F4U-5)

Output:2000 hp (1492 kw). 2450hp (1827.70kw) and 2850hp (2126.10kw) respectively

First Flight Date:29 may 1940

Surviving Airworthy Variant(s):

F4U-1A/-4/-4B/-5N/-5NL/-7 and FG-1D