XF4U-2 Corsair

The Vought XF4U‑2 Corsair was the second prototype of the famed F4U series, built in 1940 to refine the radical design that would later dominate carrier aviation. Developed from the original XF4U‑1, the XF4U‑2 incorporated a larger 2,000‑hp Wright R‑1820‑22 Cyclone radial engine and an enlarged propeller hub that allowed the distinctive inverted gull wing to accommodate a shorter, sturdier landing gear. The aircraft featured a bubble‑shaped cockpit with improved visibility, a fully retractable landing gear, and internal wing fuel tanks that extended range. Structural testing demonstrated the strength of the wing‑root design, while flight trials revealed superior climb performance and handling at high speeds, reaching 380 mph at 23,000 feet. Though never entering operational service, the XF4U‑2 was pivotal in solving the Corsair’s early carrier‑landing problems and proved the viability of the large‑diameter propeller and armament layout that would define combat versions. Its successful experiments laid the groundwork for the F4U‑1A and later the iconic F4U‑4, cementing the Corsair’s legacy as a decisive fighter‑bomber in both the Pacific theater of World War II and post‑war naval aviation.

Vought

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Design & Classification