F4U-5 Corsair

The Vought F4U-5 Corsair, an evolution of the legendary World II fighter, entered service in 1948 as the final major production variant of the Corsair line. Designed to meet post‑war demands for higher speed, improved climb, and greater firepower, the F4U‑5 incorporated a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800‑22W engine delivering 2,450 hp, a taller vertical stabilizer, and a larger, bubble‑type cockpit canopy for better visibility. Its armament was upgraded to six .50‑caliber machine guns or four 20 mm cannons, and provisions were made for rockets and bombs, enabling effective ground‑attack missions. Aerodynamically, the aircraft retained the distinctive inverted gull wing, which allowed a shorter, sturdier landing gear while preserving propeller clearance. The F4U‑5 saw extensive service with the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and several allied air forces, participating in the Korean War where its ruggedness and payload capacity proved decisive in close‑air support and interdiction roles. Although soon eclipsed by jet aircraft, the Corsair’s blend of piston‑engine power, heavy armament, and carrier‑operability left a lasting imprint on naval aviation, symbolizing the transition from propeller‑driven fighters to the jet age, and its legacy endures in modern design.