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The famous gull-wing design of the F4U Corsair makes the plane one of the most distinctive fighters of World War II Designed and built by Chance-Vought, the Corsair prototype first flew on May 29, 1940. It was the world's first single engine fighter capable of speeds over 400 mph in level flight. Though first rejected by the U.S Navy, the F4U proved to be one of the best all around fighters of World War II and was the only American piston engined World War II fighter produced in large numbers after 1945.
During World War II the Corsair proved more than a match for the Japanese Zero and other advanced Japanese fighters. The Corsair achieved an impressive eleven-to-one victory ratio against Japanese aircraft. Corsairs also excelled in the ground attack role and were heavily employed as close air support aircraft during the Pacific island hopping campaign.
As a testament to the plane's effectiveness, Japanese ground troops nicknamed the Corsair "the Whistling Death" (the plane's distinctive whistling was caused by airflow over the F4U's leading edge oil coolers). Later during the Korean War, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps used the plane almost exclusively in the attack role, carrying high explosive bombs, napalm and high velocity aircraft rockets. Corsairs were instrumental in the Marine's famous "advance in a different direction" from the Chosin Reservoir in December 1950.
The Museum’s FG-1D on display was part of a batch of 120 Chance Vought FG-1D Corsair IV's ordered from Goodyear Aircraft Corporation under contract No NOa(s)1871 and requisition No N-1450, numbered KE310 to KE429, c/n's 3647-3686, 3807-3846, 4123-4162. BuAer No's 92386-92425, 92546-92585, 67215-67254. This order was cancelled and none of the aircraft were delivered to the Royal Navy.
ENGINE:
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18W Double Wasp 2,100 h.p.
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4572 Claire Chennault, Addison, TX 75001 -
972-380-8800 Location |
