F4U Corsair
Vought · United States · first flew 1940 · fighter
The Vought F4U Corsair was an American carrier fighter instantly recognisable by its inverted gull wing and one of the finest piston fighters of the Pacific war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.27 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Distinctive inverted gull wing, bent down then up to the tips
- Long nose housing a huge Pratt & Whitney radial and big prop
- Carrier fighter with a wide-track main undercarriage
The inverted gull wing, dipping down from the fuselage then angling up to the tips, is unmistakable. A very long nose ahead of the cockpit houses the big radial and four-blade propeller. The wide-track inward-folding undercarriage confirms the carrier fighter.
Specifications
- The F4U Corsair has a length of 10.27 m (34 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.5 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 717 km/h (446 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1940, the Corsair adopted an inverted gull wing to give ground clearance for its enormous propeller while keeping the landing gear short. Early carrier-landing difficulties saw it serve first with the US Marines from land bases. Refined versions later proved excellent shipboard fighters and remained in production for years.
Variants
Wartime versions ran from the F4U-1 through the F4U-4, with the bird-cage and later raised-bubble canopies. Goodyear built the FG and Brewster the F3A under licence. The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm operated clipped-wing Corsairs from its carriers.
Where you'll see it
British interest centres on the Fleet Air Arm's wartime use of the Corsair, commemorated at the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton. Airworthy examples are largely US-based but appear at major UK shows such as Flying Legends at Duxford. The type's gull-wing shape makes it a star attraction. The Fighter Collection's FG-1D flies from Duxford.
Related aircraft
- Vought XTBU-1 Sea Wolf
- Vought F4U-1 Corsair (Birdcage)
- Vought OS2U Kingfisher
- Vought V-173 Flying Pancake
- Arado Ar 240
- Bell XFL-1 Airabonita
- Bisnovat SK-2
- Bloch MB.700
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 8,606 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.