F4U-2 Corsair

The Vought F4U-2 Corsair was the first production version of the legendary fighter‑bomber entering service in 1942. Developed from the XF4U‑1 prototype, the F4U‑2 incorporated a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800‑8W Double Wasp engine delivering 2,200 hp and a three‑blade constant‑speed propeller. Its distinctive inverted gull wing solved landing‑gear length while allowing large propeller clearance, and the wing housed hydraulically actuated flaps for excellent low‑speed control. Although intended as a frontline combat aircraft, early F4U‑2s were quickly superseded by the F4U‑1 and later variants, and most were converted to the F4U‑2A trainer with a second seat and dual controls. The Corsair’s combination of high speed (over 400 mph), steep climb rate, and heavy armament (four 20 mm cannons) reshaped carrier‑based aviation in World War II, proving a single‑engine fighter could dominate both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground roles. Its legacy endures as a symbol of American engineering ingenuity and a benchmark for future carrier‑based designs. Examples of the F4U‑2 survive in several aviation museums, where they continue to educate new generations about the daring performance and design breakthroughs that defined the golden age of naval aviation.

Vought

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