F4U Corsair (History)

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Variants

• F4U-1 (Corsair Mk I): First production version of the Corsair.
• F4U-1A (Corsair Mk II): Had a simplified canopy, along with other minor improvements that allowed for easier carrier landings.
• F3A-1 (Corsair Mk III): F4U-1 license-built by Brewster. Poor quality caused the contract to be terminated by the Navy.
• F3A-1D (Corsair Mk III): F4U-1A license-built by Brewster. Poor quality caused the contract to be terminated by the Navy.
• FG-1A (Corsair Mk IV): F4U-1 license-built by Goodyear.
• FG-1D (Corsair Mk IV):F4U-1A license-built by Goodyear.
• F4U-1B: Post-war designation (unofficial) for F4U-1's modified for Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) service.
• F4U-1C: An F4U-1D with four 20mm cannons replacing the six .50 caliber machine guns.
• F4U-1D (Corsair Mk II): Had a new R-2800-8W engine, which was more powerful, allowing for more payload and performance.
• F4U-1P: Photo reconnaissance variant.
• XF4U-2: Night fighter variant with two auxiliary fuel tanks.
• F4U-2: Experimental night fighter based on the F4U-1. The outer right machine gun was removed, so it had a total of five. An airborne intercept (AI) radar was equipped on the outer starboard wing.
• XF4U-3: A variant designed for the testing of different engines in the F4U airframe.
• FG-3: XF4U-3 license-built by Goodyear.
• XF4U-3B: XF4U-3 with slight modifications, built for the FAA.
• XF4U-4: A variant with a new engine and cowling.
• F4U-4: Variant with a new 2100 hp dual-stage-supercharged 18-W engine, a four-bladed propeller, and other minor improvements.
• F4U-4B: F4U-4's with four 20mm cannons instead of machine guns.
• F4U-4E: Night fighter variant with the APS-4 search radar on the right wingtip. It had four 20mm cannons instead of machine guns.
• F4U-4N:Night fighter variant with the APS-6 search radar on the right wingtip. It had four 20mm cannons instead of machine guns.
• F4U-4K: Experimental drone variant.
• F4U-4P: Photo reconnaissance variant of the F4U-4.
• XF4U-5: A variant with a new engine cowling and other improvements.
• F4U-5: F4U-4 with a more powerful Pratt and Whitney R-2800-32(E) engine. Other improvements included all-metal wings, a modernized cockpit, and a fully retractable tail wheel.
• F4U-5N: A variant of the F4U-5 with a radar.
• F4U-5NL: F4U-5N's equipped with rubber de-icing boots on the leading wing edge and leading tail edge. Made for cold temperatures of winter.
• F4U-5P: Long range photo reconnaissance variant of the F4U-5.
• F4U-6: A variant made for the Marine Corps with extra armor and oil coolers. It was designed for ground attack.
• AU-1: Later re designation of the F4U-6.
• F4U-7: AU-1 in French service.
• FG-1E: A Goodyear FG-1 with radar equipment.
• FG-1K: Drone variant of the Goodyear FG-1.
• FG-3: Turbo supercharged variant of the FG-1D.
• FG-4: Goodyear produced F4U-4. It was never delivered.
• F2G-1: Goodyear modified F4U-1 with a Pratt and Whitney R-4360 , Wasp Major 4-row 28-cylinder radial engine. It had manual folding wings. Never entered service.
• F2G-2: F2G-1 with hydraulically folding wings and a tail hook for carrier landings. Never entered service.

Operators

Argentina

F4U Corsair Operators

Argentine Navy operated 26 F4U-5/5N/5NL Corsairs from 1956 to 1968

Brazil

Brazilian Navy operated 30 F4U-1D from 1950 to 1976

Canada

Royal Canadian Navy operated 130 F4U-1D from 1948 to 1960

Chile

Chilean Navy operated 30 F4U-1D and 20 F4U-4 from 1953 to 1978

El Salvador

Air Force of El Salvador operated 25 F4U/FG-1D from 1957 to 1976

France

French Navy operated 69 AU-1 and 94 F4U-7 from 1954 to 1964

Honduras

Honduran Air Force operated 19 from 1956 to 1979

Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Navy operated 35 F4U-1D from 1943 to 1956

New Zealand

Royal New Zealand Air Force operated 368 F4U-1 and 60 FG-1D from 1944 to 1949

United Kingdom

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm operated 2,012 Corsairs of all types during World War 2, including 95 Corsair I (F4U-1), 510 Corsair II (F4U-1A), 430 Corsair III (F3A-1D), and 977 Corsair IV (FG-1D)

United States

United States Navy and Marine Corps operated Corsairs of all production variants from 1942 to 1953