Vought F4U-1A/D Corsair (Late)
Vought · United States · first flew 1943 · fighter
The operationally dominant Corsair variant accepted for carrier use after raising the cockpit and fitting a clear-view canopy, combining the gull wing's trademark silhouette with the pilot visibility the birdcage denied.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Raised cockpit with a one-piece blown bubble or frameless Plexiglas canopy replacing the birdcage — cockpit sits 18 cm higher on the fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Raised cockpit with a one-piece blown bubble or frameless Plexiglas canopy replacing the birdcage — cockpit sits 18 cm higher on the fuselage
- Inverted gull wing unchanged — still the most instantly recognisable planform of any WWII fighter
- F4U-1D adds underwing pylons for rockets or bombs visible as stub rails under each outer wing panel
Against the birdcage -1: raised cockpit and clear canopy are conclusive. Against the F4U-4: the -4 has a four-blade prop versus the -1A's three-blade. All marks share the unmistakable inverted gull wing.
Specifications
- The Vought F4U-1A/D Corsair (Late) has a length of 10.16 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.47 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 684 km/h (425 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The -1A entered service in 1943 after Vought raised the cockpit 18 cm and replaced the framed canopy, satisfying the Navy's carrier suitability requirements. The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm operated Corsair IIs (equivalent to F4U-1A) from carriers before the USN.
Variants
F4U-1A (bubble canopy, raised cockpit), F4U-1D (added pylons), F4U-4 (R-2800-18W engine, four-blade prop), F4U-5 (post-war). The four-blade prop on the -4 is a quick mark identifier.
Where you'll see it
The most common airworthy Corsair type; the Commemorative Air Force and numerous private operators fly -1As and -4s. UK airshows regularly feature Corsairs from the Fighter Collection at Duxford.
Related aircraft
- Vought F4U-1D Corsair
- Vought F4U-4 Corsair
- Vought V-173 Flying Pancake
- Vought XTBU-1 Sea Wolf
- Arado Ar 440
- Brewster F3A-1 Corsair
- Brewster XA-32
- Curtiss P-40 N Warhawk
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