F4U-4B

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Rank 6 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the American naval fighter F4U-4B. For other variants, see F4U (Family).
F4U-4B
f4u-4b.png
GarageImage F4U-4B.jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/f/f2/Cockpit_f4u-4b.jpg
F4U-4B
Research:27 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:185 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The F4U-4B Corsair is a rank IV American naval fighter with a battle rating of 5.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A.".

The F4U-4B is similar to the F4U-4 which precedes it, mainly in handling, but the main difference and the reason why it sits at a higher BR is the vastly more powerful armament of 4 x 20 mm AN/M3 cannons and an up-rated engine, giving it much more flexibility in its playstyle.

While it retains the standard Corsair traits of excellent performance in the horizontal, namely speed, energy retention, and instantaneous turn, its improved engine allows some fighting to be done in the vertical. This is to an extent of course and you don't want to try and out vertical a Griffon Spitfire or a Bf 109 K-4 unless you absolutely know what you're doing, but you can easily stall out planes like Fw 190 As which don't excel in the vertical. This is also aided by the flaps which are very good; the takeoff and landing flaps lower the stall speed immensely but rip easily above 250 km/h (155 mph) IAS, and the combat flaps boosting the turning significantly and can be used up to about 450 km/h (279 mph) IAS. Even without flaps, F4U-4B is an impressive turner despite its weight and can turn with many planes at high speeds (above ~500 km/h/~300 mph), at least enough to get a shot off. With flaps it can turn with a surprising number of planes at low speeds, although as before this is to an extent. Also, be wary of the rudder which rapidly loses effectiveness above 550 km/h (340 mph) and makes shots difficult against evading enemies, although this is alleviated a bit by the powerful armament and fairly good roll rate.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Max speed
at 5 000 m697 km/h
Turn time20 s
Max altitude11 500 m
EnginePratt & Whitney R-2800-42w
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight7 t
Characteristics Max speed
(km/h at 5,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 662 634 11500 21.1 21.9 13.8 13.8 200
Upgraded 739 697 19.2 20.0 26.5 19.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
885 730 388 300 252 ~11 ~4
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 450 < 200 < 500 > 450

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear730 km/h
  • 3 mm Steel - Upper cowling engine protection plates x 2
  • 8 mm Steel - Pilot's seat back protection plate
  • 12.7 mm Steel - Pilot's seat headrest
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windshield

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB2 435 → 3 214 Sl icon.png
RB5 678 → 7 494 Sl icon.png
SB8 365 → 11 041 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications47 000 Rp icon.png
85 600 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 500 Ge icon.png
Crew training52 000 Sl icon.png
Experts185 000 Sl icon.png
Aces940 Ge icon.png
Research Aces480 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 210 / 440 % Sl icon.png
166 / 166 / 166 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
5 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 600 Sl icon.png
370 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 300 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 300 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
anm3_belt_pack
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FMBC mk.1
Research:
2 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 400 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
anm3_new_gun
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 300 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FLBC mk.1
Research:
2 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 300 Sl icon.png
200 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
FRC mk.2
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 900 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: M3 (20 mm)

The F4U-4B is armed with:

  • 4 x 20 mm M3 cannons, wing-mounted (246 rpg = 984 total)

The 4 x 20 mm cannons are excellent at inflicting damage and their high muzzle velocity allows for long range snipes. Even very short bursts can be lethal against aircraft. Belts with AP-T shells are quite good against ground targets, even the Air Targets belts can make short work of medium tanks in air battles.

Suspended armament

The F4U-4B can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Hardpoints F4U-4.png
250 lb AN-M57 bombs 1 1 1 1
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs 1 1
1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs 1 1
HVAR rockets 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,400 kg
Default weapon presets
  • Without load
  • 8 x HVAR rockets
  • 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
  • 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

The F4U-4B should be flown primarily at low altitude because its engine lacks power at higher altitudes. Here, it boasts an impressive climb rate (about 25 m/s when spaded), very good acceleration, and a high top speed. You should aim to be around 3-4km at the start of the battle and go after low enemies using boom and zoom tactics, then use your speed to outrun anyone who dives on you. You can then use your engine power and energy retention to gain an energy advantage over them and easily kill them. If you find yourself in a tough situation, don't be afraid to go a bit aggressive because this plane accelerates very well at low altitude and the extremely powerful guns makes it easy to secure kills quickly, but don't stall yourself out at the deck amidst a cloud of enemies since you'll be an easy kill.

Specific enemies worth noting

This plane can easily dogfight with Fw 190 Ds/152s, Tempest Mk Vs, Sea Furies, and similar planes, can dogfight with difficulty with Bf 109s and similar, and should avoid dogfighting unless as an absolute last resort against Spitfires, Ki-84s, A7Ms, N1Ks, and similar. Fortunately, the F4U-4B is usually faster than most planes it can't dogfight. It's far faster than most Japanese and Italian props and all Spitfires up to the Mk 22 at low altitude. In an up-tier against superprops like Tempest IIs, Spitfire Mk 24s, and P-51Hs and F8Fs if you get a mixed battle, you have to rely on coming in with an advantage as with any other plane in an uptier, though this is made easier with the F4U-4B's excellent top speed.

The F4U-4B is devastating in the right hands, and is one of the best planes the US tech tree has to offer.

Counter-tactics

You're best off engaging the F4U-4B at higher altitudes where its performance suffers. You can also try bleeding their energy in hard vertical manoeuvres where it struggles, but be careful while doing this especially at low altitude since a potential opponent can still use the Corsair's stall characteristics combined with its engine power to get a shot off, which can be devastating no matter how short a burst.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Auto control available
Controllable
Auto control available
Controllable
Not auto controlled
Separate Controllable
3 gears
Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent guns with high damage and high muzzle velocity allowing long range snipes
  • Large ammo capacity
  • Very good performance at low altitude, acceleration and climb rate are much better than previous corsairs
  • Increased engine power below 2,000 m improves sustained turn performance; this plane can outmanoeuvre many German planes it faces, especially if manoeuvres begin at medium to high speed
  • Extremely fast at low altitude, no Axis prop can outrun it at sea level (only Do 335 B-2 is as fast)
  • Good roll rate at all speeds
  • Fantastic stall characteristics, especially with flaps
  • Very good instantaneous turn at high speeds
  • Lenient stock grind
  • Fully-featherable propeller and low stall speed make this plane a competent glider in emergencies

Cons:

  • Does not turn well at lower speeds
  • Rudder loses effectiveness at high speed, making it difficult to hit shots
  • Rapidly loses performance at high altitude, should avoid engagements above 6,000 m if possible
  • Still fast at higher altitudes, but German planes (e.g. Bf 109s, Fw 190 Ds, Ta 152s, and other similar aircraft) that are slower at low altitudes can outrun it at high altitude
  • Flaps deploy very quickly, which can lead to them breaking if not careful
  • Stock guns are inaccurate and easily jam
  • Engine is very vulnerable to cannons
  • Fuselage can burst into flames quite easily

History

The F4U-4B was a modification of the F4U-4. The F4U-4 was based on the F4U-1A Corsair. In order to improve and modernize the Corsair, so it would be able to fight the new Japanese planes in the Pacific, a number of changes were made. One of the major changes was the engine. The Pratt and Whitney R-2800-8W engine was replaced by the more powerful R-2800-18W engine. This -18W engine boosted the speed of the Corsair by up to 46.3 km/h (25 kn, 28.76 mph). When injected with an alcohol/water mixture, the performance could be boosted even further. In order for the propeller to be able to handle the more powerful engine, the propeller had to be changed from 3 blades to 4 blades. Modifications to the fuselage were required, including the addition of a scoop to the lower engine cowling. In addition, the cockpit was completely redesigned. The F4U-4 was armed with six .50 in machine guns, up to 4,000 lbs of bombs and/or eight 5 in rockets.

A variant was to be created for the British Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. It was called the F4U-4C, but none were delivered to the Fleet Air Arm, for whatever reason. The F4U-4C was then redesignated the F4U-4B. The only major difference between the F4U-4 and the F4U-4B was a change of primary armament. The -4B replaced the six .50 in machine guns with four 20 mm cannons. The F4U-4B was used by the US Navy and Marine Corps. Notably, they were used by VMF-214 (Marine Fighter Squadron 214) of the Marine Corps, nicknamed "Blacksheep". VMF-214 flew F4U-4B strikes off USS Sicily (CVE-118) between August and November 1950 during the Korean War.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

External links

References

Bibliography


Chance Vought Aircraft
Fighters 
Corsair  F4U-1A · F4U-1A (USMC) · F4U-1C · F4U-1D · F4U-4 · F4U-4B · F4U-4B VMF-214
Float planes  OS2U-1 · OS2U-3
Attackers  AU-1
Bombers  SB2U-2 · SB2U-3
Jet aircraft 
Corsair II  A-7D · A-7E · A-7K
Crusader  F8U-2 · F-8E
Export  V-156-B1 · V-156-F · ▄Corsair F Mk II · F4U-7 · ▄F-8E(FN)
Captured  ▅F4U-1A

USA fighters
P-26 Peashooter  P-26A-33 · P-26A-34 · P-26A-34 M2 · P-26B-35
P-36 Hawk  P-36A · Rasmussen's P-36A · P-36C · ○P-36C · P-36G
P-39 Airacobra  P-400 · P-39N-0 · P-39Q-5
P-40  P-40C · P-40E-1 · P-40E-1 TD · P-40F-10
P-43 Lancer  P-43A-1
P-47 Thunderbolt  P-47D-22-RE · P-47D-25 · P-47D-28 · P-47M-1-RE · ⋠P-47M-1-RE · P-47N-15
P-51 Mustang  P-51 · P-51A (Thunder League) · P-51C-10 · P-51D-5 · P-51D-10 · P-51D-20-NA · P-51D-30 · P-51H-5-NA
P-63 Kingcobra  P-63A-5 · P-63A-10 · P-63C-5 · ␠Kingcobra
Prototypes  XP-55
F2A Buffalo  F2A-1 · Thach's F2A-1 · F2A-3
BF2C  BF2C-1
F3F  F3F-2 · Galer's F3F-2
F4F Wildcat  F4F-3 · F4F-4
F4U Corsair  F4U-1A · F4U-1A (USMC) · F4U-1D · F4U-1C · F4U-4 · F4U-4B · F4U-4B VMF-214 · F2G-1
F6F Hellcat  F6F-5 · F6F-5N
F8F Bearcat  F8F-1 · F8F-1B
Other countries  ▃Ki-43-II · ▃Ki-61-Ib · ▃A6M2 · ▃Bf 109 F-4 · ▃Fw 190 A-8 · ▃Spitfire LF Mk IXc