Facts about the Vought F4U Corsair

Facts about the Vought F4U Corsair

To the majority, the Vought F4U Corsair is America’s most famous fighter plane.

In 1940, over 12,500 models of this airplane were manufactured by Vought, with its final delivery by 1953, which is later known as the extensive production run of apiston-engine fighter plane in the history of the U.S.

The Corsair was made to operate on the flight decks of aircraft carriers for the U.S. Air Force, served during the Second World War, for which initially operated on land bases under the U.S. Marine pilots due to problems with landing in carriers: after solving the problem, the Corsair became the most adept carrier-based fighter-bomber during the war.The Corsair was also used during the Korean War.

History

The Corsair was first developed in1938 after the US Navy had made a request to make a new single-seat carrier-based fighter plane. The contract was awarded to the Chance-Vought Company with their distinct, gull-winged airframe, which has the biggest engine then existing, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp. The design of the wing was required by the tall landing gear, which in turn,was required by the large propeller needed to push the aircraft at the preferred high speeds.

The first prototype of the Corsair flew on May 29, 1940, but because of changes to the design, the initial production of F4U-1 Corsair wasn’t delivered until July 31, 1942. Additional landing cockpit and gear changes led to a newer variant, which was the F4U-1, which was considered to be the first type approved for duty on carriers.

The F4U Corsair served the US Marines, US Navy, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, and rapidly came to the most adept carrier-based fighter during the conflict. Due to the increased demand of the fighter plane, the manufacturing capability of Vought was overwhelmed, which resulted to additional fighter planes being manufactured by Brewster Company as the F3A-1 and the Goodyear Company as the FG-1. Manufacturing stopped in 1952. More than 24 Corsairs are presumed to be still flightworthy, mostly in the U.S.

Corsair Featured in “Baa Baa Black Sheep”

The Corsair was even made famous through the hit 70’s TV Show the ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’, which featured Robert Conrad as Pappy Boyington.

Baa Baa Black Sheep was a hit military TV series that aired on NBC from 1976 to 1978. The show was based on the life and experience of Greg Boyington who was a US Marine Corp aviator along with his World War II “Black Sheep Squadron”. The TV show was created and produced by Stephen J. Cannell. The show’s opening credit was “In World War II, Marine Corps Major Greg ‘Pappy’ Boyington commanded a squadron of fighter pilots. They were a collection of misfits and screwballs who became the terrors of the South Pacific. They were known as the “Black Sheep”.

The shows basis was loosely based on a part of the real military career of Gregory Boyington, which was nicknamed “Pappy” because of this old age compared to the younger pilots under his command. He was 30 years old when he commanded the VMF-214.

During its time, without a doubt, Vought F4U Corsair was America’s most powerful fighter plane. Just like the planes in Charter Flight Group’s fleet of luxury private jets. CFG has an extensive fleet of luxury private jets that you can choose from. If you want a more comfortable, memorable and convenient experience when travelling, renting a luxury private jet would certainly be the best decision. Be free from anxiety when travelling, experience the highest degree of air safety, feel free to choose your pilot, staff and cabin crew, experience the excellent catering services and facilities, and above all, you can choose when to fly.