Vought F4U-5 Corsair
Vought · US · first flew 1946 · fighter
The F4U-5 was the post-war developed Corsair, with a more powerful R-2800-32W engine, automatic cowl flaps, and four 20 mm cannon as standard, making it the fastest Corsair variant.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.26 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Chin intake beneath the cowl relocated and enlarged compared to F4U-4 — a prominent scoop below the spinner
- Automatic engine cowl flaps replacing the manual flaps of earlier marks
- Four 20 mm cannon in the wings standard (no .50 cal option); four-blade prop retained
The revised, enlarged chin intake below the spinner is the most accessible cue over the F4U-4. Automatic cowl flaps give a cleaner cowl ring appearance. Cannon muzzles in the wing (four, not six machine-gun ports) confirm the -5's standard armament. Night-fighter variants (-5N) add an APS-19 radar pod on the starboard wing.
Specifications
- The Vought F4U-5 Corsair has a length of 10.26 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.49 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 756 km/h (470 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
568 F4U-5s built (all variants) 1946-51. Served in the Korean War with USN and USMC units, where its speed and firepower were put to good use in ground attack. The -5N night-fighter variant was particularly important in Korea.
Variants
F4U-5N (night-fighter with APS-19 radar), F4U-5NL (winterised night-fighter), F4U-5P (photo-reconnaissance). Also exported to Argentina and Honduras.
Where you'll see it
USN/USMC Korea 1950-53; Argentine Navy, Honduras Air Force (the latter flew them into the 1979 Football War). Several -5s are airworthy on the warshow circuit.
Related aircraft
- Vought F6U Pirate
- Vought F4U-1D Corsair
- Vought F4U-4 Corsair
- Vought F7U Cutlass
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- Junkers EF 126
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