Vought F4U-5N Corsair: Pirates of the Night Sky

Acroute · April 14, 2025, 6:49am

Would you like to see F4U-5N in game?

Yes
No

0 voters

History
Since its introduction in December 1942, the Vought F4U Corsair was the most advanced fighter in the Pacific. Though the early models were not suitable for carrier operations and were mostly operated from ground bases, it was a promising fighter. Later the many issues of the F4U were fixed, and it returned to the carrier fleet.

The F4U-1, which was primarily used during World War II, ranks high among the warbirds during that time. But its performance at high altitude left something to be desired, as air combat in the Pacific was generally happened at low altitudes. Several attempts were made to overcome this shortcoming, which bore some fruit with the F4U-4.

The F4U-5, the ultimate evolution of the F4U family, appeared in December 1945. World War II was already over and the age of the jet was just beginning, but the F4U-5 and its night fighter versions served well as a close support aircraft in the Korea.

In 1953, history of the Corsair in the U.S. Navy came to the end. Today, a total of 13 F4U-5/5N/5NL/5Ps survive in the United States, Australia, France, Germany, Argentina, and Honduras, nine of which are airworthy.

During the Korean War, the U.S. Navy aviator Guy Pierre Bordelon Jr. shot down three La-9 or La-11s and two Yak-18s with his F4U-5N, named “Annie Mo”, became the only U.S. Navy ace of the Korean War and last F4U ace in history. He is also the only ace to have scored all of his kills at night. Unfortunately, just a week after its fifth victory, the Annie Mo was lost in a ground collision with U.S. Air Force aircraft.

Design

(left: F4U-5, right: F4U-5N)

Flight performance difference of the F4U-5 and F4U-5N, respectively

The F4U-5N is basically a F4U-5 with night fighter radar equipment. Because of this, F4U-5N is about 840 lbs (381 kg) heavier than regular F4U-5, results in slightly less flight performance.

R-2800-32W engine performances

The F4U-5N uses a R-2800-32W Double Wasp engine. With combat power, it could produce up to 2,120 hp and 2,672 hp at 30,000 ft and sea level, respectively.

Since it is a night fighter, there are Exhaust Collector Flame Dampeners to minimize exhaust flame during the night.

Avionics

F4U-5N cockpit photo

F4U-5N cockpit layout from the manual

The F4U-5N is equipped with AN/APS-19 radar on its right wing. This is the same as the one on the A2D-1 in-game.

Besides the radar, the P-1 Autopilot, AN/APX-6 IFF, AN/ARC-28 VHF and AN/APN-1 radio altimeter is also installed.

Armament

F4U-5 armament arrangement and ordnance list from manual and SAC

F4U-5N retains all weapons of the F4U-5. It could load up to 5,200 lbs (2,358 kg) of bomb, which is a massive capacity for a piston-engine fighter. This is a equivalent armament capability to the AU-1.

The only difference from the F4U-5 is a T-20 flash hider for the 20 mm gun, as it is intended for night operations.

Specifications
Crew: 1
Length: 41 ft (12.5 m)
Width: 34 ft (10.36 m)
Height: 14 ft (4.27 m)
Weight:

Empty: 10,532 lb (4,777 kg)
Basic: 11,457 lb (5,196 kg)
Design: 12,000 lb (5,443 kg)
Maximum takeoff: 18,300 lb (8,300 kg)
Maximum land: 15,000 lb (6,803 kg)

Wing area: 314 ft² (29.17 m²)
Powerplant: R-2800-32W Double Wasp

Ratings:
- Takeoff: 2,300 hp @ 2,800 rpm
- Combat power:
  - At sea level: 2,675 hp @ 2,800 rpm
  - At 30,000 ft (9.1 km): 2,120 hp @ 2,800 rpm
- Military power:
  - At sea level: 2,300 hp @ 2,800 rpm
  - At 30,000 ft (9.1 km): 1,800 hp @ 2,800 rpm
- Normal power:
  - At sea level: 1,900 hp @ 2,600 rpm
  - At 30,000 ft (9.1 km): 1,500 hp @ 2,600 rpm

Fuel grade: 115/145
Fuel capacity:

Internal: 234 gal
External: 2× 300 gal

Performances: (Full internal fuel with 3× pylons and 8× launchers, unless specified)

Maximum speed:
- Combat power:
  - At sea level: 309 kt
  - At 15,000 ft (4.6 km): 353 kt
  - At 30,000 ft (9.1 km): 384 kt
- Military power:
  - At sea level: 291 kt
  - At 15,000 ft (4.6 km): 332 kt
  - At 30,000 ft (9.1 km): 362 kt
Maximum rate of climb:
- Combat power:
  - At sea level: 4,340 ft/m (22 m/s)
  - At 15,000 ft (4.6 km): 3,940 ft/m (20 m/s)
- Military power:
  - At sea level: 3,570 ft/m (18.13 m/s)
  - At 15,000 ft (4.6 km): 3,260 ft/m (16.56 m/s)
Maximum Altitude: 43,000 ft (13.1 km)
Stall speed at landing weight of 12,327 lb (5,591 kg): 71.2 kt

Armament:

Hardpoints: 11 (8× outboard wing, 2× inboard wing, 1× fuselage)
Gun: 4× 20 mm AN/M3 (924 rounds)
Bombs:
- 8× 250 lb (outboard wing stations)
- 2× 500 lb (inboard wing stations)
- 3× 1,000 lb (inboard wing stations and fuselage)
- 3× 1,600 lb (inboard wing stations and fuselage)
- 1× 2,000 lb (fuselage)
- 2× Napalm (inboard wing stations)
Rockets:
- 8× HVAR (outboard wing stations)
- 3× Tiny Tim (inboard wing stations and fuselage)

Sources

Nostalgistic · June 13, 2025, 6:56pm

+1 for this and all other F4U night fighter variants as well.