F4U Corsair

The F4U Corsair


The F4U Corsair, also known as the Vought F4U Corsair was an American Fighter Aircraft in World War 2. Known as "whistling death" the aircraft was employed by the US Navy as an Aircraft Carrier capable fighter. Known for its distinctive gull like wings and popularized with its use on the television show about Pappy Boyington of the Black Sheep Squadron.

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was introduced in 1942 and over 12,500 were built. The Corsair was equipped with an 18 cylinder Pratt and Whitney radial with over 2000 hp which was the largest engine of that time. It was the same powerplant utilized in the Grumman F6F Hellcat.

The F4U Corsair had a maximum speed of 425 mph and weighed around 9,000 lbs empty. The Corsair had a climb rate of around 3,180 feet per minute and a service ceiling of 36,900 feet. The Corsair had a range of a little over 1,000 miles.

The F4U Corsair was armed with six Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns or four 20 mm canons and could carry up to 4,000 lbs of bombs.