History
Design and Development
The development of the first F4U Corsair began in February 1938 when the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics requested proposals for a high-speed, high-altitude fighter with ambitious requirements. Vought secured the contract in April 1938 with its V-166B design, powered by the new Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine. This same engine would later be used in the Grumman F6F and the Republic P-47. The US Navy accepted Vought’s proposal in May 1938.
Vought received the contract to develop its V-111B design, which would become the legendary F4U Corsair. The Navy then signed a contract for a prototype designated XF4U-1 with serial number 1443. After approving the mock-up, Vought began assembling the XF4U-1 in February 1939. The prototype completed its first flight on May 29, 1940, but made an emergency landing when the elevator trim tabs failed due to flutter. Early testing suffered another setback during the fifth test flight when the XF4U-1 ran out of fuel and made an emergency landing on a golf course, sustaining severe damage that Vought subsequently repaired.
On October 1, 1940, the XF4U-1 achieved a top speed of 405 mph (650 km/h) with an excellent rate of climb, becoming the first US fighter to exceed 400 mph. Testing revealed that some Navy requirements needed revision. While the aircraft reached dive speeds of 550 mph (890 km/h), it suffered damage to control surfaces and access panels and experienced engine failure in one instance. Spin recovery proved impossible without an anti-spin chute. These issues delayed production.
Vought made improvements to the XF4U-1’s handling and ailerons, which proved effective. However, the aircraft still exhibited dangerously low-speed characteristics, tending to drop a wing during stalls and making carrier landings hazardous. Despite these challenges, the XF4U-1’s performance exceeded Navy expectations.
As the European war intensified, intelligence reports indicated that the original armament of two .30 cal (7.62mm) synchronized cowling-mounted machine guns and two .50 cal (12.7mm) wing-mounted guns was insufficient. This prompted a redesign, and in April 1941, Vought submitted a new production proposal with heavier armament. The Navy accepted this and awarded a contract for 584 F4U-1 fighters.
Production
Production F4U-1s incorporated significant modifications from the XF4U-1 prototype. The armament was upgraded to six wing-mounted .50 cal (12.7mm) M2 Browning machine guns. The XR-2800-4 engine was replaced with the R-2800-8, producing 2,000 horsepower at takeoff. Wing structure changes reduced weight and improved roll rate, while a small starboard wing spoiler was added to reduce accelerated stalls and provide stall warning. Engineers redesigned the tail landing gear and arresting hook, added cockpit armor, including a bulletproof windscreen, and installed self-sealing fuel tanks for improved survivability.
The first production F4U-1, serial number 02153, made its maiden flight on June 24-25, 1942. This variant was unique as the only production model with the birdcage-style framed canopy and the first US Navy aircraft to feature fully enclosed landing gear when retracted.
Operational Service (1942-1943)
The US Navy received its first production F4U-1 Corsair on July 31, 1942. Most were delivered in a two-tone scheme of non-specular Blue-Gray upper surfaces and non-specular Light Gray undersides. Some late-production aircraft received a tricolor scheme of non-specular Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue, and white.
To meet wartime demand, production expanded to include Brewster Aeronautical (F3A-1) and Goodyear Aircraft (FG-1). These versions were functionally identical to Vought’s F4U-1.
VF-12 and VF-17 became the first Navy squadrons to receive Corsairs for carrier qualification trials. The aircraft were deemed unsuitable for carrier operations due to poor visibility, bouncing landing gear (caused by flawed oleo strut design), and dangerous stall characteristics. However, by late 1942, they were cleared for combat and reassigned to Marine Corps squadrons in the Solomon Islands, including VMF-124, VMF-214, VMF-215, and VMF-222.
Marine pilots transitioning from Grumman F4Fs saw their first combat in F4U-1s on February 14, 1943. They quickly adapted to the Corsair’s capabilities and utilized their superior advantages over the Japanese fighters. Second Lieutenant Kenneth A. Walsh, one of the Marine pilots, became the first Corsair ace in May 1943, credited with 21 kills and awarded the Medal of Honor.
Most F4U-1s operated from land bases in the South Pacific. Marine ground crews made field modifications, including centerline bomb racks for 1,000 lb bombs or 150-gallon drop tanks. Vought incorporated lessons learned into improvements like reinforced landing gear, which were standardized in the subsequent F4U-1A variant. By mid-1943, remaining F4U-1s were either upgraded to -1A standard or replaced, making the F4U-1A the Marines’ primary fighter through 1944.
