Difference between revisions of "F4U-4"

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{{About
 
{{About
|about=American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+
|about= American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=other uses
+
|usage= other versions
|link=F4U (Family)
+
|link= F4U (Family)
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American naval fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.71 "New E.R.A."]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American naval fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.71 "New E.R.A."]].
  
The F4U-4 is excellent at Boom & Zoom fighting. Its high energy-retention and acceleration make it the true pinnacle of the Corsairs. Although you don't get an air spawn, the climb rate of the F4U-4 makes up for that. When engaging an enemy, you should try and maintain an altitude advantage while keeping your speed up; speed is life, altitude is life insurance. Once you gain an altitude advantage, dive on your opponent and fire. Your engine lacks fuel injection, so experiencing negative G forces is likely to temporarily shut down your engine. The six .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns, while not as destructive as the quadruple 20 mm cannons of the F4U-4B or the eight .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns on the P-47, will destroy any lighter aircraft with ease, with plenty of ammunition that allows spraying and still being dangerous in the later stages of the match.
+
The F4U-4 is excellent at Boom & Zoom fighting. Its high energy-retention and acceleration make it the true pinnacle of the Corsairs. Although you don't get an air spawn, the climb rate of the F4U-4 makes up for that. When engaging an enemy, try and maintain an altitude advantage while keeping your speed up; speed is life, altitude is life insurance. When you gain an altitude advantage, dive on your opponent and fire. The engine lacks fuel injection, so experiencing negative G forces is likely to temporarily shut down the engine. The six .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns, while not as destructive as the quad 20 mm cannons of the [[F4U-4B]] or the eight .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns on the [[P-47 (Family)|P-47]], will destroy any lighter aircraft with ease, with plenty of ammunition that allows spraying (with firing discipline) and still being dangerous in the later stages of the match.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 388 || 330 || 252 || ~11 || ~4
+
| 885 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 388 || 300 || 252 || ~11 || ~4
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|-
 
|-
 
| < 450 || < 220 || < 500 || > 450
 
| < 450 || < 220 || < 500 || > 450
|-
 
|}
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
 
|-
 
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| 450 m || 2,100 hp || 2,450 hp
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
|-
 
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| 5,638 m || 1,885 hp || 2,199 hp
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
|-
 
! Optimal altitude
 
! 100% Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
| 7,619 m || 1,710 hp || 1,955 hp
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
  
* 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (400 rpg = 2,400 total)
+
* 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (375 rpg outer + 400 rpg centre + 400 rpg inner = 2,350 total)
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|HVAR}}
 
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
  
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! !! width="4%" | 1 !! width="4%" | 2 !! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10
 +
| rowspan="7" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|100 lb AN-M30A1]] bombs
 +
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M57 (250 lb)|250 lb AN-M57]] bombs
 +
| || || || 1 || || || 1 || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|500 lb AN-M64A1]] bombs
 +
| || || || || 1 || 1 || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|1,000 lb AN-M65A1]] bombs
 +
| || || || || 1 || 1 || || || ||
 +
|-
 +
! [[HVAR]] rockets
 +
| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="11" | Maximum permissible loadout weight: 1,400 kg
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 
* Without load
 
* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs + 8 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,800 lb total)
+
* 8 x HVAR rockets
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs + 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs + 4 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,900 lb total)
+
* 8 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (800 lb total)
 +
* 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 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)
 
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 8 x HVAR rockets
+
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
Being true for the entire Corsair series the most distinctive features of this plane is its huge R-2800-P&W 18 Cylinder Radial engine and its inverted gull wing.
+
Being true for the entire Corsair series the most distinctive features of this plane is its huge R-2800-P&W 18 Cylinder Radial engine and the inverted gull wing.
  
One Advantage of the Inverted gull wing;
+
One advantage of the inverted gull wing:
  
:The Wing is impossible to rip in a dive as long as you don't pull a turn greater than 25 G's, which is almost impossible because the aircraft does suffer from compression above 800 kph.
+
:The wing is impossible to rip in a dive as long as you don't pull a turn greater than 11 G's, which is almost impossible because the aircraft does suffer from compression above 800 km/h.
  
 
One disadvantage of the aircraft is its high-speed dive characteristics;
 
One disadvantage of the aircraft is its high-speed dive characteristics;
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The worst enemies for the F4U are the Ki-84, N1K1, A7M's, and some late mark Zeros. Their extreme turning ability would make any of the F4U-4's attempt at turn fighting worthless. In the worst case scenario when these aircraft managed to get an energy advantage over the F4U-4, escape from the encounter with a dive and try to lose the aircraft through the assistance of allied anti-air fire from friendlies or the airfield.
 
The worst enemies for the F4U are the Ki-84, N1K1, A7M's, and some late mark Zeros. Their extreme turning ability would make any of the F4U-4's attempt at turn fighting worthless. In the worst case scenario when these aircraft managed to get an energy advantage over the F4U-4, escape from the encounter with a dive and try to lose the aircraft through the assistance of allied anti-air fire from friendlies or the airfield.
  
In Simulator battles, the F4U-4 is exceptionally good at dogfighting due to its forgiving flight characteristics and excellent visibility. The six M2 Brownings are also easy to aim and can be sprayed for quite some time. Due to its stable nature you can out-turn pretty much any opposing aircraft if it comes to it, though boom and zoom tactics are what you should be sticking to. Enemies especially worth noting are most Russian and Japanese fighters. Russian fighters can keep up with you in a dogfight quite well and the Japanese' turn rate is something to watch out for. On the other hand, however, both Russian and Japanese fighters get set on fire quite easily, and once you get a good burst in, you have (in most cases) secured the kill.
+
In Simulator battles, the F4U-4 is exceptionally good at dogfighting due to its forgiving flight characteristics and excellent visibility. The six M2 Brownings are also easy to aim and can be sprayed for quite some time. Due to its stable nature, you can out-turn pretty much any opposing aircraft if it comes to it, though boom-and-zoom tactics are what you should be sticking to. Enemies especially worth noting are most Soviet and Japanese fighters. Soviet fighters can keep up with you in a dogfight quite well and the Japanese' turn rate is something to watch out for. On the other hand, however, both Soviet and Japanese fighters get set on fire quite easily, and once you get a good burst in, you have (in most cases) secured the kill.
  
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Fast at all altitudes (3rd supercharger gear isn't needed until over 6,500 meters altitude). Once it reaches max speed, only Yak-3 (VK-107), Yak-3U, La-9, and Do 335 B-2, can catch it at sea level. This means diving away and extending is a reliable escape tactic.
+
* Fast at all altitudes (3rd supercharger gear isn't needed until over 6,500 m altitude). Once it reaches max speed, only the Yak-3 (VK-107), Yak-3U, La-9, and Do 335 B-2, can catch it at sea level. This means diving away and extending is a reliable escape tactic
* Respectable armament of six .50 Cal machine guns with late war belts
+
* Respectable armament of six .50 cal machine guns with late war belts
 
* Powerful engine, which allows for excellent energy retention
 
* Powerful engine, which allows for excellent energy retention
 
* Decent secondary weapons for destroying ground targets
 
* Decent secondary weapons for destroying ground targets
 
* Excellent roll rate and good elevator authority at all speeds
 
* Excellent roll rate and good elevator authority at all speeds
* While turnfighting is almost never "plan A" in this plane, turn performance is quite good above 400kph.
+
* While turn-fighting is almost never "plan A" in this plane, turn performance is quite good above 400 km/h
 
* Longer WEP duration than previous corsairs (approximately 12 minutes total)
 
* Longer WEP duration than previous corsairs (approximately 12 minutes total)
 
* Landing gear can be deployed at most speeds without breaking, which is immensely helpful when attempting to land at higher speeds (often necessary when damaged)
 
* Landing gear can be deployed at most speeds without breaking, which is immensely helpful when attempting to land at higher speeds (often necessary when damaged)
* Improved flight performance in all aspects over F4U-1s.
+
* Improved flight performance in all aspects over F4U-1s
  
'''Cons'''
+
'''Cons:'''
  
 
* Armament insufficient for high-speed snapshots, require more time on target than planes with cannons.
 
* Armament insufficient for high-speed snapshots, require more time on target than planes with cannons.
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* Turn-fighting heavy aircraft at low speeds is not advised, as the engine isn't strong enough to compensate for the speed lost in prolonged turnfights
 
* Turn-fighting heavy aircraft at low speeds is not advised, as the engine isn't strong enough to compensate for the speed lost in prolonged turnfights
 
* Rudder becomes less responsive in high speed dives
 
* Rudder becomes less responsive in high speed dives
* Supercharger setup leaves the plane weakest between 1000-2000 meters and 6000-7000 meters — at these altitudes, the previous supercharger gear is no longer able to maintain manifold pressure (plane begins to lose power and WEP does not increase power), yet the power draw from the engine to run the next supercharger gear is too much to make it worthwhile to switch until more altitude is gained.
+
* Supercharger setup leaves the plane weakest between 1,000 and 2,000 m and 6,000 and 7,000 m — at these altitudes, the previous supercharger gear is no longer able to maintain manifold pressure (plane begins to lose power and WEP does not increase power), yet the power draw from the engine to run the next supercharger gear is too much to make it worthwhile to switch until more altitude is gained
* Bleeds speed very quickly in vertical manoeuvres.
+
* Bleeds speed very quickly in vertical manoeuvres
* Supercharger setup allows for plane to be fast at high altitudes, but limited power-to-weight ratio on 3rd gear makes climbing or accelerating difficult above 7,500 m; this forces pilots to spend more time extending away from enemy planes before re-engaging.
+
* Supercharger setup allows for plane to be fast at high altitudes, but limited power-to-weight ratio on 3rd gear makes climbing or accelerating difficult above 7,500 m; this forces pilots to spend more time extending away from enemy planes before re-engaging
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 202: Line 199:
 
{{main|F4U (Family)|l1=History of the F4U Corsair}}
 
{{main|F4U (Family)|l1=History of the F4U Corsair}}
  
The F4U-4 was based on the -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 kph (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 based on the -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 armament of the -4 corsair was six .50 in machine guns, up to 4,000 lbs of bombs and/or eight 5 in rockets. There were multiple variants of the F4U-4. There was the F4U-4B, which had only slight modifications for the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. They were never actually delivered to the Royal Navy, as the US kept them instead.The F4U-4C was another variant, which had four 20 mm cannons instead of six .50 in machine guns. There were also two night fighter variants, the F4U-4E and the F4U-4N. The -4E had an APS-4 search radar on the starboard wing tip, while the -4N had an APS-6 search radar instead. Both night fighter versions replaced the six .50 in machine guns with four 20 mm cannons. There was also F4U-4K, an experimental drone variant, and the F4U-4P, a photo reconnaissance variant.
+
The armament of the F4U-4-4 corsair was six .50 in machine guns, up to 4,000 lbs of bombs and/or eight 5 in rockets. There were multiple variants of the F4U-4. There was the F4U-4B, which had only slight modifications for the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. They were never actually delivered to the Royal Navy, as the US kept them instead.The F4U-4C was another variant, which had four 20 mm cannons instead of six .50 in machine guns. There were also two night fighter variants, the F4U-4E and the F4U-4N. The -4E had an APS-4 search radar on the starboard wing tip, while the -4N had an APS-6 search radar instead. Both night fighter versions replaced the six .50 in machine guns with four 20 mm cannons. There was also F4U-4K, an experimental drone variant, and the F4U-4P, a photo reconnaissance variant.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 +
;Skins
 +
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f4u-4 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 +
;Videos
 
{{Youtube-gallery|LW_BVvR7CIg|'''The Shooting Range #122''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:50 discusses the fate of the F4U Corsair after WW2.}}
 
{{Youtube-gallery|LW_BVvR7CIg|'''The Shooting Range #122''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:50 discusses the fate of the F4U Corsair after WW2.}}
  
Line 227: Line 230:
 
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/378367-f4u-4/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/378367-f4u-4/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
  
=== Bibliography ===
+
=== References ===
 +
 
 +
;Bibliography
  
 
* "[https://www.jdsf4u.be/f4u-4-vought-corsair F4U-4 Vought Corsair]", ''F4U Corsair - The Bent Wing Bird plane site'', Retrieved on 28 March 2020.
 
* "[https://www.jdsf4u.be/f4u-4-vought-corsair F4U-4 Vought Corsair]", ''F4U Corsair - The Bent Wing Bird plane site'', Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

Latest revision as of 18:34, 24 October 2023

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the American fighter F4U-4. For other versions, see F4U (Family).
F4U-4
f4u-4.png
GarageImage F4U-4.jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/2/2d/Cockpit_f4u-4.jpg
F4U-4
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The F4U-4 Corsair is a rank III American naval fighter with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB/RB) and 5.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.71 "New E.R.A.".

The F4U-4 is excellent at Boom & Zoom fighting. Its high energy-retention and acceleration make it the true pinnacle of the Corsairs. Although you don't get an air spawn, the climb rate of the F4U-4 makes up for that. When engaging an enemy, try and maintain an altitude advantage while keeping your speed up; speed is life, altitude is life insurance. When you gain an altitude advantage, dive on your opponent and fire. The engine lacks fuel injection, so experiencing negative G forces is likely to temporarily shut down the engine. The six .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns, while not as destructive as the quad 20 mm cannons of the F4U-4B or the eight .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns on the P-47, will destroy any lighter aircraft with ease, with plenty of ammunition that allows spraying (with firing discipline) and still being dangerous in the later stages of the match.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear
Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier
Max speed
at 9 000 m711 km/h
Turn time20 s
Max altitude11 500 m
EnginePratt & Whitney R-2800-18w
TypeRadial
Cooling systemAir
Take-off weight7 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 9,000 m)
Max altitude
(metres)
Turn time
(seconds)
Rate of climb
(metres/second)
Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 682 662 11500 21.0 21.8 14.3 14.3 200
Upgraded 742 711 19.0 20.0 24.1 18.5

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 < 220 < 500 > 450

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear730 km/h
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of pilot.
  • 3 mm Steel plates on top of fuel tank and in front of cockpit.
  • 12.7 mm and 8 mm Steel plates behind pilot.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB856 → 1 099 Sl icon.png
RB2 050 → 2 634 Sl icon.png
SB3 238 → 4 160 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 560 Rp icon.png
32 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
50 / 130 / 260 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Research:
2 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Research:
2 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 600 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FMBC mk.1
Research:
990 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 600 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods pilon bomb.png
FLBC mk.1
Research:
1 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 000 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods pilon rocket.png
FRC mk.2
Research:
1 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 600 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main article: M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

The F4U-4 is armed with:

  • 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (375 rpg outer + 400 rpg centre + 400 rpg inner = 2,350 total)

Suspended armament

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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Hardpoints F4U-4.png
100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
250 lb AN-M57 bombs 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
  • 8 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (800 lb total)
  • 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 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

Being true for the entire Corsair series the most distinctive features of this plane is its huge R-2800-P&W 18 Cylinder Radial engine and the inverted gull wing.

One advantage of the inverted gull wing:

The wing is impossible to rip in a dive as long as you don't pull a turn greater than 11 G's, which is almost impossible because the aircraft does suffer from compression above 800 km/h.

One disadvantage of the aircraft is its high-speed dive characteristics;

During the dive the aircraft tends to yaw severely to the right making you roll, possibly making the shot you need miss.

The worst enemies for the F4U are the Ki-84, N1K1, A7M's, and some late mark Zeros. Their extreme turning ability would make any of the F4U-4's attempt at turn fighting worthless. In the worst case scenario when these aircraft managed to get an energy advantage over the F4U-4, escape from the encounter with a dive and try to lose the aircraft through the assistance of allied anti-air fire from friendlies or the airfield.

In Simulator battles, the F4U-4 is exceptionally good at dogfighting due to its forgiving flight characteristics and excellent visibility. The six M2 Brownings are also easy to aim and can be sprayed for quite some time. Due to its stable nature, you can out-turn pretty much any opposing aircraft if it comes to it, though boom-and-zoom tactics are what you should be sticking to. Enemies especially worth noting are most Soviet and Japanese fighters. Soviet fighters can keep up with you in a dogfight quite well and the Japanese' turn rate is something to watch out for. On the other hand, however, both Soviet and Japanese fighters get set on fire quite easily, and once you get a good burst in, you have (in most cases) secured the kill.

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:

  • Fast at all altitudes (3rd supercharger gear isn't needed until over 6,500 m altitude). Once it reaches max speed, only the Yak-3 (VK-107), Yak-3U, La-9, and Do 335 B-2, can catch it at sea level. This means diving away and extending is a reliable escape tactic
  • Respectable armament of six .50 cal machine guns with late war belts
  • Powerful engine, which allows for excellent energy retention
  • Decent secondary weapons for destroying ground targets
  • Excellent roll rate and good elevator authority at all speeds
  • While turn-fighting is almost never "plan A" in this plane, turn performance is quite good above 400 km/h
  • Longer WEP duration than previous corsairs (approximately 12 minutes total)
  • Landing gear can be deployed at most speeds without breaking, which is immensely helpful when attempting to land at higher speeds (often necessary when damaged)
  • Improved flight performance in all aspects over F4U-1s

Cons:

  • Armament insufficient for high-speed snapshots, require more time on target than planes with cannons.
  • Engine prone to overheating after prolonged usage of WEP (RB), though this can be mitigated with manual engine control
  • Turn-fighting heavy aircraft at low speeds is not advised, as the engine isn't strong enough to compensate for the speed lost in prolonged turnfights
  • Rudder becomes less responsive in high speed dives
  • Supercharger setup leaves the plane weakest between 1,000 and 2,000 m and 6,000 and 7,000 m — at these altitudes, the previous supercharger gear is no longer able to maintain manifold pressure (plane begins to lose power and WEP does not increase power), yet the power draw from the engine to run the next supercharger gear is too much to make it worthwhile to switch until more altitude is gained
  • Bleeds speed very quickly in vertical manoeuvres
  • Supercharger setup allows for plane to be fast at high altitudes, but limited power-to-weight ratio on 3rd gear makes climbing or accelerating difficult above 7,500 m; this forces pilots to spend more time extending away from enemy planes before re-engaging

History

The F4U-4 was based on the -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 armament of the F4U-4-4 corsair was six .50 in machine guns, up to 4,000 lbs of bombs and/or eight 5 in rockets. There were multiple variants of the F4U-4. There was the F4U-4B, which had only slight modifications for the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. They were never actually delivered to the Royal Navy, as the US kept them instead.The F4U-4C was another variant, which had four 20 mm cannons instead of six .50 in machine guns. There were also two night fighter variants, the F4U-4E and the F4U-4N. The -4E had an APS-4 search radar on the starboard wing tip, while the -4N had an APS-6 search radar instead. Both night fighter versions replaced the six .50 in machine guns with four 20 mm cannons. There was also F4U-4K, an experimental drone variant, and the F4U-4P, a photo reconnaissance variant.

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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