F4U Corsair

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a fighter aircraft that saw service in World War II and the Korean War. Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft F3A.  When flown in 1940, the XF4U-1 became the first U.S. single-engine production aircraft capable of 400 mph in level flight. It was a remarkable achievement for Vought, as carrier aircraft are, compared to land-based counterparts, overbuilt to withstand the extreme stress of deck landings.  The most striking feature of the aircraft is the inverted gull wing. The design concept for the Corsair incorporated the largest available fighter engine ? the 2,000 hp, 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial , turning an enormous 13'4" Hamilton Standard propeller. The dimensions required the bent wing in order to keep the landing gear reasonably short, as well as sturdy enough for carrier landings, and to provide ground clearance for the propeller.

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