The Vought F4U Corsair is an American fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Designed and initially manufactured by Chance Vought, the Corsair was soon in great demand; additional production contracts were given to Goodyear, whose Corsairs were designated FG, and Brewster, designated F3A.
| Role | Carrier-based fighter-bomber |
|---|---|
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Chance Vought |
| Built by | Goodyear Brewster |
| First flight | 29 May 1940 |
| Introduction | 28 December 1942 |
| Retired |
|
| Primary users | United States Navy
|
| Produced | 1942–1953 |
| Number built | 12,571 |
| Variants | Goodyear F2G Corsair |
Specifications (F4U-4)
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
- Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.50 m)
- Wing area: 314 sq ft (29.17 m2)
- Empty weight: 9,205 lb (4,238 kg)
- Gross weight: 14,670 lb (6,654 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 14,533 lb (6,592 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W radial engine, 2,380 hp (1,770 kW)
- Propellers: 4-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 446 mph (717 km/h, 385 kn)
- Cruise speed: 215 mph (346 km/h, 187 kn)
- Stall speed: 89 mph (143 km/h, 77 kn)
- Range: 1,005 mi (1,617 km, 873 nmi)
- Combat range: 328 mi (528 km, 285 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 41,500 ft (12,600 m)
- Rate of climb: 4,360 ft/min (22.1 m/s)
Armament
- Guns:
- 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, 400 rounds per gun or
- 4 × 0.79 in (20 mm) AN/M3 cannon, 231 rounds per gun
- Rockets: 8 × 5 in (12.7 cm) high velocity aircraft rockets and/or
- Bombs: 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg)
Photos Rob Vogelaar and Marcel van Leeuwen
