- Yes
- No
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the Goodyear F2G-2 Super Corsair for US aviation in War Thunder. While it is almost identical to the F2G-1 we have in the game, it was a carrier-based variant with hydraulically powered wing fold mechanisms and an arresting hook. It may be the perfect candidate for a researchable Super Corsair in the tech tree since we already have the F2G-1 as a premium aircraft.
History
The F2G Super Corsairs were in development from 1939 and urgently last-minute tailored specifically to counter the kamikaze threats in World War II, with the 3,000-hp R-4360 radial engine as a chief requirement. In March 1944, Goodyear was awarded a contract to deliver 418 F2G-1 and 10 F2G-2 aircraft for the US Navy.
The F2G-2 was intended to be operated from aircraft carriers and equipped with hydraulically folding wings and tail hooks. The F2G-1 was operated from lands with manually folding wings and no tail hook to lessen overall weight. The F2G-2 was equipped with a 13-foot, 7-inch Hamilton Super-hydromatic versus the 14-foot Hamilton Hydromatic on the F2G-1. The F2G-2 with different equipment was to be more carrier-friendly.
Discovery of the deficiencies in the prototype and post-production testing delayed the further development of the production design. Additionally, the rival Grumman F8F Bearcat had also entered production without issues and had a performance comparable to the F2G, greatly influencing the decision for needs by the US Navy. The original order for 418 F2G-1s was canceled, as the Navy no longer had any need for the F2G after the end of World War II.
Consequently, as of August 1945, only 15 F2Gs were built: 5 pre-production XF2Gs (BuNos 14691 - 14695), 5 F2G-1s (BuNos 88454 - 88458), and 5 F2G-2s (BuNos 88459 - 88463). The Navy ordered that testing should continue with these aircraft. However, the Navy later did not need further production of these Corsair variants. They were stricken from the Navy inventory and sold to civilian users as racing aircraft.
One example of the F2G-2 that survived was a heavily modified racing #74 aircraft with the new serial N5577N from 1946 to 1950. It won first place in the 1947 Thompson Trophy Race. In 1950, the F2G-2 blew its engine out after the qualification round and withdrew from the race. It was put away in a storage area of the Soplata farm in Newbury, Cleveland, Ohio. Years later, it was transported out and moved to Kindred, North Dakota, from 1999 to 2003 for restoration. It was issued with a certificate of airworthiness in 2012 with serial NX5577N. It raced again with the original Race 74 scheme at the National Championship Air Races in September 2011 and finished in 4th place. Tragically, it was lost in a crash at Barnes County Municipal Airport in Valley City, North Dakota, on September 7, 2012, after preparing and rehearsing the final aerobatic maneuver for the Wings and Wheels Airshow.
Specifications
Goodyear F2G-2 CorsairGeneral Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 33 ft 10 in (10.31 m)
- Height: 16 ft 4 in (4.98 m)
- Span: 41 ft (12.5 m)
- Wing area: 314 sq ft (29.2 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 3-bladed Hamilton Super-hydromatic propeller
- Propeller Diameter: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
- Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-4360-4 “Wasp Major” radial engine
→ 3,000 hp (2,237 kW)- Internal Fuel: 309 US gal. (1,170 L)
- Oil Tankage: 21 US gal. (79.5 L)
- Empty Weight: 10,249 lb (4,649 kg)
- Gross Weight: 13,346 lb (6,054 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 15,422 lb (6,995 kg)
Performance @ Military Power w/ Combat Loading Condition
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.22 hp/lb (0.39 kW/kg)
- Sea Level Speed: 399 mph (642 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 431 mph @ 16,900 ft (694 km/h @ 5,151 m)
- Stall Speed:
*Gross Weight: 91.6 mph (147 km/h)
- Without Fuel: 85.0 mph (137 km/h)
- Wing Loading: 42.5 lb/sq ft (207.5 kg/sq m)
- Take-off Distance, Calm: 577 ft (176 m)
- Rate of Climb: 4,400 fpm (22.4 m/s)
- Time to Altitude:
- 2.5 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- 5.7 minutes to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Service Ceiling: 38,800 ft (11,826 m)
- Combat Range: 1,190 miles @ 190 mph (1,915 km @ 306 km/h)
- Max. Range Ferry: 2,040 miles (3,257 km)
Engine ratings
Takeoff:
→ 3,000 BHP @ 2,700 RPM @ sea level
Military:
→ 3,000 BHP @ 2,700 RPM @ sea level
→ 2,400 BHP @ 2,700 RPM @ 13,500 ft
Normal:
→ 2,500 BHP @ 2,550 RPM @ sea level
→ 2,220 BHP @ 2,550 RPM @ 14,500 ft
Armament
- Guns:
- 6 × .50-cal. M2 Browning machine guns (2,350 rounds)
- Bombs:
- 2 x 1,600-lb armor-piercing bombs
- 2 x 1,000-lb bombs
- 2 x 500-lb bombs
- 2 x 250-lb bombs
- 6 x 100-lb bombs
- Rockets:
- 8 x 5-inch HVAR rockets
- 2 x 11.75-inch Tiny Tim rockets
- Drop Tank:
- 2 x 150-gal drop tanks
Diagrams
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
The F2G-2 was a carrier-based variant of the F2G-1. It had hydraulically folding wings, a tailhook, and a different propeller. They both use the same airframe and powerplant. The difference between F2G-1’s and F2G-2’s performance was marginally negligent. However, the -1 would noticeably perform faster in the long run than the -2 since the -2 was slightly heavier with its carrier-based equipment.
I feel the F2G-2 is a perfect opportunity to place as a researchable aircraft for the US aviation tech tree to supplement the F8F Bearcats and premium F2G-1s. Thus, it would be a welcoming addition to the Corsair family in War Thunder.
- F2G-2 Airplane Characteristics & Performance (1 December 1944)
- AN 01-195FA-1 Preliminary Pilot’s Handbook of Flight Operating Instructions Navy Models F2G-1, F2G-2 Airplanes (1 August 1945)
- F4U Corsair in Action - Aircraft No. 145 (1994)
- F4U Corsair in Detail & Scale Part 1: XF4U Through F2G - D&S Vol. 55 (1998)
- https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=2189
- Goodyear F2G Corsair - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
