F4U Corsair WW2 fighter | World War Photos

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Marine mechanics work on an F4U’s Pratt Whitney R-2800 – August 1943.

Marine Corps ace Major George Hollowell in the cockpit of F4U Corsair

F4U Corsairs in flight near San Diego California

F4U Corsair on approach for a carrier landing 1942-1943

F4U Corsair HMS Victorious after bombing a German convoy off Bodo Norway

F4U Corsair 119 and wrecked US planes after air attack on Yontan Airfield Okinawa 24 May 1945.

F4U-1D Corsair 29 of VBF-10 USS Intrepid CV-11 Okinawa April 1, 1945

F4U-1 Corsair with birdcage canopy

F4U Corsair landing On Okinawa 1945

F4U Corsairs 105 106 on airstrip

F4U-1D Corsair of VBF-83 catches a wire on board the carrier USS Essex CV-9 1945

F4U Corsair #14 Corsair on board the carrier USS Essex CV-9

FG-1D Corsair #611 of VMF-312 on Okinawa April 17, 1945

F4U Corsair wreckage Peleliu

F4U Corsair white 815 „Brat III” of the VMF-225 on Iwo Jima 1945

F4U Corsair #815 “Brat III” of the VMF-225 on Iwo Jima 1945

F4U Corsairs of the VMF-321 and TBM on Iwo Jima 1945

LtCdr Joseph Clifton and pilots of VF-12 stand in front of F4U-1 Corsair 1943

F4U Corsair engine 1944

F4U-1 Corsair code 17-F-10 of VF-17 „Jolly Rogers” catches a wire on board the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – July 11, 1943

F4U-1 Corsair code 17-F-10 of VF-17 catches a wire on board the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 July 11, 1943

F4U-1D Corsair code EE53 of VMF-512 launches from the escort carrier USS Gilbert Islands CVE-107 on March 6, 1945

F4U-1D Corsair EE53 of VMF-512 launches from the escort carrier USS Gilbert Islands CVE-107 on March 6, 1945

Burning F4U Corsair after a crash on the flight deck of the USS Bennington CV-20 February 14, 1945

F4U Corsair Solomon Islands

F4U Corsair 884 VMF 214

F4U-1 Corsair with birdcage canopy in flight

An early production F4U-1 Corsair in flight

Royal New Zealand Air Force Vought F4U Corsairs Espirito Santo

F4U-1D Corsairs of VMF-323 Over Okinawa 1945

Marine Pilot Lands F4U Corsair on Aircraft Carrier

F4U Corsairs of the VMF-321 on Iwo Jima 1945

FG-1D Corsair of VMF-512 launching from the flight deck of the escort carrier USS Sargent Bay CVE-83 – June 2, 1945

British F4U Corsair December 1943

F4U-1 Corsair white 576 „Marines Dream” of VMF 214 flown by 1Lt Ed Olander after it crashed at Torokina Bougainville during 1943

F4U-1 (birdcage, Bu No 02576) white 576, “Marines Dream” of VMF 214 flown by 1Lt Ed Olander after it crashed at Torokina Bougainville during 1943

F4U-1 Corsair with birdcage canopy Bu. Nr 02695

F4U-1D Corsair of VMF 422 Nose Art Photo

F4U-1D Corsair VMF 422 Nose Art Photo

F4U-1D Corsair of VMF 312 Kadena Airfield on Okinawa April 9 1945

F4U Corsair Mk II 6A JT228 – No. 1830 Squadron FAA

Corsair Mk II 6A JT228 of No. 1830 Squadron FAA, Brunswick, Maine, September 1943

F4U-1D Corsair #33 of VBF-85 up on its nose USS Shangri La CV-38 December 6 1944

F4U-1A Corsair white 5 (Bu No 17656) of VF-17 Green Islands Maintenance. March 1944

F4U Corsair 5 of VF-17 Green Islands Maintenance

F4U-1D Corsair F-107 of VMF-224 flown by Capt Delong

Marine F4U Corsair

F4U-4 white 226 and B-25 on Iwo Jima

F4U Corsair on deck HMS Khedive

F4U-1 Corsairs of VF-12 in flight on March 23, 1943

Capt Floyd Kirkpatrick VMF-441 Ace By F4U-1D Corsair named “Palpitatin Pauli”

F4U-1D Corsair of VMF-112 on the flight deck of the USS Bennington CV-20 – February 10, 1945

Maj Owens landing in his F4U at Munda Field

Vought F4U Corsair #39 RNZAF Bougainville 1945

F4U Corsair Green Islands

F4U-1D Corsair code EE55 of VMF-512 on a catapult ready to launch from the USS Gilbert Islands CVE-107 – March 6, 1945

F4U-1D Corsair EE55 of VMF-512 on a catapult ready to launch from the USS Gilbert Islands CVE-107 – March 6, 1945

Damaged F4U of VMF-216 Torokina, Bougainville on January 12, 1944

F4U Corsairs on board the carrier USS Essex CV-9 February 27 1945

F4U Corsairs USS Essex CV-9 February 27 1945

F4U-4 Corsair 318 of VMF-224 on Okinawa

F4U-1 Corsair of VF-17 launches from the deck of the USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – June 28, 1943

F4U Corsair of VF-17 launches from the deck of the USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – June 28, 1943

F4U-1D Corsair 28 of VBF-6 catching a wire USS Hancock CV-19 on March 21, 1945

Kenneth Walsh in cockpit of F4U VMF-124 May 1943

F4U Corsair 195

FG-1D Corsairs of the VMF-323 in formation over Okinawa June 10, 1945

FG-1D of the VMF-323 ‘Death Rattlers’ in formation over Okinawa June 10, 1945

Charles Lindbergh by VMF-115 F4U Corsair 360

Lt Ira Kepford of VF-17 returns from a combat mission over Rabaul Bougainville on February 19, 1943

Lt.jg Ira Kepford of VF-17 returns from a combat mission over Rabaul Bougainville on February 19, 1943

F4U Corsair 16 of VMF-214 Torokina January 10, 1944

F4U-1D Corsairs of VF-5 and F6F Hellcat on board USS Yorktown CV-10 1945

FG-1D Corsair 19 of VBF-1 launches from the deck of the carrier USS Bennington CV-20 – August 14, 1945

British F4U Corsair on deck HMS Illustrious

Vought F4U Corsairs of FAA in formation

F4U-1 Corsair of VMF-222 Vella Lavella in the Solomon Islands. January 15, 1944

Corsair BuNo 17735 of the VMF-216, Bougainville

F4U-4 Corsairs Philippine Islands May 1 1945

F4U-4 Philippine Islands May 1 1945

F4U-1 Corsair landing on board the training carrier USS Wolverine IX-64 Lake Michigan – April 2, 1943

F4U Corsair 028 of VMF-223 taxis on the airstrip on Green Island on March 11 1944

TBM Avengers FM Wildcats and in the foreground FG-1D Corsairs of VMF-512 USS Sargent Bay CVE-83 – June 2, 1945

F4U Corsair of VBF-88 on board the carrier USS Yorktown CV-10 – July 18, 1945

F4U USS Bunker Hill CV-17 April 9, 1945

1Lt Stuart Alley of VMF-323 Ace on F4U-1D Corsair

F4U-1 Corsair of VMF 213 on the catapult ready for launch from the auxiliary carrier USS Copahee ACV-12 March 29, 1943

F4U Corsair assembly line

F4U-1 Corsair (birdcage, Bu No 02576) white 576, „Marines Dream” of VMF 214 flown by 1Lt Ed Olander after it crashed at Torokina Bougainville during 1943

F4U-1 576 “Marines Dream” of VMF 214 flown by 1Lt Ed Olander after it crashed at Torokina Bougainville during 1943

F4U-1A Corsair 5 of VF-17 maintenance at an airfield in the Solomon Islands on March 6 1944

The first prototype of Corsair: XF4U-1 – 8 October 1940

Vought F4U Corsairs Mk II of FAA

F4U-1D Corsair of VMF-224 on the catapult ready to launch from the escort carrier USS Sitkoh Bay CVE-86 – March 28, 1945

Lt Huidekoper VMF-213 F4U-1 Corsair #82

Lt John F Bolt VMF-214 1943

F4U-1 Corsair #126 of VMF-215 Munda Airfield

R4D Skytrain and F4U Corsair 241, Emirau Island in 1945

R4D Skytrain and F4U Corsair Emirau Island in 1945

F4U Corsairs on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier

F4U Corsair of VBF-85 lost its tail USS Shangri La CV-38 August 9, 1945

F4U-1D Corsair of VMF-114 taxis at Peleliu – September 1944

F4U-1 Corsairs of VF-12 in the two tone paint scheme of Blue Gray and Light Gray

F4U-1A Corsairs #51 of VMF-113 in flight over Eniwetok Atoll on July 9, 1944

F4U-1A Corsairs #56 “Sun Set” and #51 of VMF-113 in flight over Eniwetok Atoll on July 9, 1944

F4U Corsair 018 of VMF-114 taxiing on an airstrip at Peleliu October 17, 1944

Corsairs and Barracuda torpedo bombers on the flight deck of HMS Formidable Norway

F4U Corsair 993 of VMF-222 airfield on Samar Philippines March 10 1945

Corsairs of VMF-222 airfield on Samar Philippines March 10, 1945

F4U-1D Corsair 88 on board the carrier USS Essex CV-9 on January 25, 1945

USS Block Island CVE-106 F4U Corsair of VMF 511 February 4,1945

Chance Vought F4U Corsair aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force

F4U Corsair Okinawa June 1945

British F4U Corsair

Lt (jg) Thomas Killefer VF-17 and F4U-1A Corsair white 5 (Bu No 17656)

Lt (jg) Thomas Killefer VF-17 with Corsair 5

Marine Chance Vought F4U Corsair and Pilot Munda Field 1943

FG-1D Corsair 41 of VBF-88 on board the carrier USS Yorktown CV-10 – July 18, 1945

Marine F4U Corsairs at Munda Field September 1943

F4U Corsairs 804, 707 of VMF-122 ready for take off on an airfield in the Palau Islands 1945

Marine Chance Vought F4U Corsair Wreck at Torokina Bougainville 1944

British F4U Corsair engine

F4U-1D Corsair 155 of VF-84 on approach to the carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 on February 16, 1945

Capt Floyd Kirkpatrick VMF-441 Ace By F4U-1D Corsair

Marine Corps Chance Vought F4U Corsair

“Bent Winged Bird” 990 in flight

Marine fighter pilot Lt. David Riley by his F4U Corsair 22 1944

Boyington and crew of Black Sheep Squadron with F4U-1 1944

F4U Marine Ace Pilot McClurg of Black Sheep Squadron VMF-214 1943

F4U Corsair in the three-tone paint scheme with bombs

F4U-2 Corsairs from VMF(N)-532 on board the carrier USS Windham Bay CVE-93 – Saipan July 12, 1944

F4U-1 Corsairs of VMF-124 Guadalcanal April 14, 1943

F4U-1A Corsair 49

F4U-1A Corsair 16 of VMF-422 hooked up to a catapult and ready for launch from the escort carrier USS Kalinin Bay CVE-68 Tarawa – January 24, 1944

F4U-1A Corsair “Mary Jo” 911 of VMF-212 Vella Lavella January 13, 1944

F4U Corsair wreck Leyte

A formation of F4U Corsairs of VF-75 in flight – July 2, 1945

“Bent Winged Birds” of VF-75 in flight July 2. 1945

Damaged F4U-1A Corsair of VMF-216 – pilot Lt Marshall

F4U Corsairs in the three-tone paint scheme – 1944

F4U Corsairs 1944

F4U of MAG 45 around tents on Falalop Island Ulithi Atoll August 10, 1945

F4U Corsair on deck USS Franklin CV-13

F4U-1D Corsair 238 of VBF-83 launches from the flight deck of USS Essex CV-9 August 1945

F4U-1 Corsair VMF-124 taxis on the airstrip at Munda Point August 26, 1943

F4U Corsair US Marine Fighter Pacific

F4U Corsair HMS Illustrious FAA

Ace Pilot Donald Burch of VMF-221 on his Damaged F4U-1 Corsair 125 (Bu No 02467) – Russell Islands 1943

Ace Pilot Donald Burch of VMF-221 on his Damaged F4U-1 Corsair 125 – Russell Islands 1943

F4U-1 Corsair code 17-F-22 of VF-17 on board the carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – July 17, 1943

F4U-1 Corsair 17-F-22 of VF-17 on board the carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – July 17, 1943

Chance Vought F4U Corsairs on Assembly Line in Stratford Plant 1943

F4U-1D Corsairs of the VMF-312 lined up at Kadena

British F4U Corsairs on deck HMS Smiter

F4U Corsair code 264

F4U-1 Corsairs of VF-12 in formation on May 26, 1943

F4U Corsair Final Assembly

F4U Corsair T8-G HMS Smiter Okinawa 1945

Rocket Loaded Wings of Vought F4U-1D1945

Rocket Loaded Wings of Vought F4U-1D Corsairs (VF-84, VMF-221, VMF-451) aboard Aircraft Carrier USS Bunker Hill 1945

F4U Corsair 578 of VMF-312

F4U-4 Corsairs of the VMF-224 on Okinawa

Burning British F4U Corsair Lt Cdr Freddy Charlton

Burning British F4U Corsair, pilot Lt Cdr Freddy Charlton

F4U-1 Corsair over Virginia during a test flight – September 29, 1942

Marine F4U Corsairs on Bougainville Airfield 1944

F4U Corsair code FF57 of VMF-351 hitting the barricade USS Cape Gloucester CVE-109 – July 5, 1945

F4U Corsair FF57 of VMF-351 hitting the barricade USS Cape Gloucester CVE-109 – July 5, 1945

Marine Chance Vought F4U Corsair Pilots – Munda Field 1943

F4U Marine Pilot Lt Lowell Wilkerson Checks Damage to Corsair caused by Human Bomb Guam 1944

F4U Corsairs VMF-222 Russell Islands September 7, 1943

F4U Corsair of the MAG 21 Guam mechanic on the wing guiding the pilot – October 12, 1944

F4U Ace Pilots: Lt Cdr Roger Hedrick, Lt Cdr John Blackburn and Lt Ira Kepford of VF-17 Jolly Rogers 1944

F4U Ace Pilots Hedrick, Blackburn and Kepford of VF-17 “Jolly Rogers”. 21 March 1944

F4U-1D Corsair of VF-84 launches from the deck of the carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – Iwo Jima February 19, 1945

British Fleet Air Arm Chance Vough F4U Corsair JT108 7C 1943

F4U-1D Corsair makes belly landing on the flight deck of the carrier USS Wasp CV-18 – Chichi Jima February 18, 1945

VMF-214 Blacksheep pilots by F4U-1

F4U-1D Corsair 122 on board the carrier USS Bunker Hill CV-17 – May 6, 1945

F4U-1A Corsair 36 of VF-17 USS Bunker Hill CV-17 on September 14, 1943

F4U-1D Corsair of VMF-511 launch from the escort carrier USS Block Island CVE-106 – February 5, 1945

F4U Corsair 50 strikes the barricade USS Bataan CVL-29 December 9, 1944

Vought F4U Corsair JT104 Wittering

F4U Corsairs 108 of VMF-114 Kadena Airfield on Okinawa on August 9, 1945

F4U Corsair 9 VF-17

F4U-1 Corsair 82 of VF-10 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CV-6 – March 20, 1943

F4U Corsair of VMF-214 lands at Espiritu Santo on September 11, 1943

F4U Capt McCartney VMF-214 Blacksheep

British F4U Corsair October 1943 Roosevelt Field

Major Jeff Dorroh VMF-323 Ace On F4U-1D

Vought F4U Corsair – fighter produced by Chance Vought in the years 1942-1952. During World War II aircraft were also produced under the name FG by Goodyear, as well as F3A by Brewster.
Plans for the first airplane built in 1938 as a proposal of a modern single-seater fighter-board for the US Navy. It was intended to have then most powerful aircraft engine – the Pratt & Whitney XR-2800 Double Wasp. The installation of this engine, and as it went, a large propellers with a diameter of 4.06 m, it would require a relatively long retractable landing gear susceptible to damage during landings. Designers therefore decided to change the profile on broken wings – a characteristic later for Corsair, with lower attachment points of the chassis. As a result, the pilot has gained further improved visibility. A group of designers led by Rex B. Beisel. The first prototype flew 29 May 1940 year. It was armed with two machine guns Browning M1919 7.62 mm in the front part of the fuselage and a single Browning M2 machine guns cal. 12.7 mm, one in each wing. During test flights in 1940, the plane suffered damage during the emergency landing. After the renovation, while testing the aircraft reached the speed of 650 km / h. Production of the aircraft prevented some problems with the engine, which quite often underwent a fire during the flight and control problems. The experience of fighting in Europe have convinced the US Navy command to order heavier weapons. Mounted in the fuselage machine guns dismantled, adding the extra M2 cal. 12.7 mm in each wing. Such a solution requires elimination wing fuel tanks, so engineers decided while moving the cockpit to the rear, add additional self-sealing tank in the fuselage.
In February 1941 U.S. Navy started the official tests XF4U-1, and June 30 ordered the first series of 584 machines F4U-1. Then the plane received the official name of Corsair. During production several improvements, including airplanes equipped with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8 Double Wasp (2,000 hp) with a two-stage compressor and increased the number of machine guns in the wings to six. The first serial aircraft flew 24 June 1942, and the Navy received the first copy from the date of July 31, 1942. During the tests on the USS Sangamon it turned out that the pilot in the cockpit located practically can not see what is in front of the plane during taxiing, what could cause severe accidents. It was therefore decided that the first Corsairs will go to Marine Corps squadrons stationed in bases on land. Starting from 689 copy, aircraft increased slightly the position of the cockpit and the cabin itself was rebuilt to provide better visibility for the pilot. Version of the new cab was determined later F4U1-A. Some of the aircraft were adapted for photographic reconnaissance; they received the designation F4U-1P. Subsequent aircraft engine received R-2800-8W with the possibility of a short-term increase in power up to 2230 hp.
In August 1943 Vought put into production version F4U-1C with 20 mm cannons. In April 1944, Vought launched a parallel with the F4U-1C production version of the F4U-1D fitted again in six machine guns cal. 12.7 mm and can carry a drop tank with 605 liters of fuel and two 1000 lb bombs under the wings. The counterpart of this version of the plants were Goodyear FG-1D planes, and Brewster F3A-1D. Later F4U-1D and FG-1D were equipped with a stub pylons for 8 unguided rocket HVAR.
Three copies F4U-1A equipped with a engine P&W XR-2800-16C Double Wasp with two t Turbosuperchargers. These aircraft were given the designation XF4U-3 (plants Goodyear FG-3) and were characterized by a better performance at high altitudes, but decided not to produce this variant.
The last version produced in large quantities during World War II was the F4U-4 with an engine P & W R-2800-18W Double Wasp (2100 hp). The novelty was also used four blade propeller. This aircraft reached a maximum speed of 718 km / h (approx. 48 km / h more than the F4U-1D). Armament was identical to the version of the F4U-1D (6 x 12.7 mm, 8 rockets and 2×1000 pounds bombs). It was built in 2037 copies of this version, plus: 297 F4U-4B and F4U-4C (equipped with four 20 mm cannon instead of machine guns), one plane F4U-4N (night fighter) and 9 F4U-4P (photographic reconnaissance aircraft).
After the end of World War II introduced version of the F4U-5 with R-2800-3W engine (2,300 hp), armed with four cannon caliber 20 mm, 8 x 127 mm rockets and 2×1000 pounds bombs. Also produced night versions of the fighter, the first of which was designated F4U-5N and the other, equipped, in addition to anti-icing systems F4U-5NL. Also created reconnaissance aircraft F4U-5P.
With the introduction to service of jet-powered fighters, Corsairs ceased to play an important role as a fighter, but very well worked well as close-support plane. Starting from 1952, the unit began to reach new Corsairs marked this time AU-1. Vought designed the AU-1to carry a max bomb load of 3720 kg. The last version was 97 F4U-7 built specially for the French Aeronavale. These aircraft have engines R-2800-18W Double Wasp, equipment identical to the AU-1, and lighter armor.

Bibliography

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