XF4U-1 Corsair

The Vought XF4U‑1 Corsair was the prototype that launched one of World War II’s most iconic carrier‑based fighters. Developed in the late 1930s to meet a U.S. Navy request for a high‑performance fighter‑bomber, the XF4U‑1 first flew on 4 May 1940. Its distinctive inverted gull wing solved the problem of fitting a large, low‑pressure Hamilton Standard propeller while keeping the undercarriage short enough for carrier decks. Powered by a 1,600‑hp Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 Double Wasp radial engine, the aircraft achieved a top speed of 410 mph and a service ceiling above 30,000 ft, setting new performance benchmarks for naval aviation.

Key features included a robust air‑cooled radial, a self‑sealing cockpit, and an innovative wing structure that combined high lift with reduced drag. Armament provisions allowed for six .50‑caliber machine guns and up to 2,000 lb of bombs or rockets, giving the Corsair unparalleled versatility as both air‑superiority and ground‑attack platform.

Although the XF4U‑1 itself never entered combat, its design formed the basis for the production F4U‑1 series, which proved decisive in the Pacific theater. The Corsair’s combination of speed, firepower, and ruggedness reshaped carrier doctrine and cemented Vought’s reputation as a premier fighter manufacturer.