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 20 mm cannons replacing the six .50 calibre 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 20 mm cannons instead of machine guns.

F4U-4N

Night fighter variant with the APS-6 search radar on the right wingtip. It had four 20 mm 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 armour and oil coolers. It was designed for ground attack.

AU-1

Later redesignation 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 tailhook 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