Vought F4U-1D Corsair
Vought F4U-1D Corsair |
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| USA | |
| Single-seat | |
| Naval fighter/attacker | |
| 12,175 lbs. | |
| Wing span 40'11¾" Length 33'4" Height 15'0¼" |
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| 237 gallons | |
| 4x50 cal M2 400 rpg 2x50 cal M2 375 rpg 8xHVAR 5" rockets 250 lb bomb 500 lb bomb 1000 lb bomb Drop tanks |
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Bombing and rocket attacks were quite similar, differing in only by the amount of lead you give the target. Our rockets- 3 1/2 and 5 in rounds- were fine weapons. I liked them as I thought they were the most effective weapons we had. We usually fired them whilst in a 45° dive, making about 400 mph. Jack Broering VMF-323 |
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History The F4U-1D was developed to increase the air-to-ground potential of the Corsair. The 1D entered production in April 1944. It differed from the 1A by the removal of the wing fuel tanks, the addition of two wing pylons and eight rocket mounts, and a frameless canopy. Goodyear also built the F4U-1D under the designation FG-1D and by Brewster as the F3A-1D. Brewster only produced about 100 1Ds when their contract was canceled. In addition to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, Great Britain and New Zealand also operated 1Ds that were exported to them under Lend-Lease. The 1D saw its final combat nearly 25 years after the close of WWII. In 1969, during the "Soccer War" between Honduras and El Salvador, two El Salvadoran FG-1D's were shot down by a F4U-5 piloted by Capt. Fernando Soto. Earlier that day, Capt. Soto also scored against a P-51D. |
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The F4U-1D in Aces High The F4U-1D is fast, sturdy, heavy, and carries a large payload. It's most effective in a boom-and-zoom style of fighting and excels at air-to-ground work. The F4U possesses a high rate of roll that allows it to change direction rapidly. The F4U-1D has a plain flap that is designed to also aid maneuvering at a setting of up to 20 degrees. This setting will provide an enhancement to the plane's turning capabilities at a low cost in additional drag. If you get caught in a turning fight, use of the maneuver setting is highly recommended. The maneuver flap setting can be used up to speeds of 230 MPH. For takeoff, 20 degrees of flaps is the normal setting. Maximum flap deflection is 50 degrees. The strong landing gear and the fairings attached to the strut made a suitable airbrake. On the actual plane, the landing gear handle had a dive brake position in addition to the extended and retracted positions. The dive brake position would extend the main gear but not the tailwheel because the tailwheel doors were not rated for high speeds. In Aces High, the separate dive brake position is not used. You only need to extend your landing gear as normal. The high speeds will not damage the tailwheel doors. The fuel system consists of a 237-gallon fuselage tank positioned just forward of the cockpit. One or two external drop tanks can also be carried. The F4U-1D carries an armament of six .50 caliber machine-guns with 375 rpg in the outer pair and 400 rpg for the middle and inner pairs. The primary trigger fires the outer pair of machine guns. The secondary trigger fires the middle and inner pairs of machine guns. Two wing points can carry drop tanks or bombs of up to 1000lbs. Eight rockets can also be mounted separately. |
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Markings The F4U-1D in Aces High carries the markings of Lt Cdr Roger Hedrick, Commanding Officer of VF-84 serving aboard the USS Bunker Hill. Lt Cdr Hedrick had previously served as Executive Officer of VF-17 where he recorded his first 9 victories in the F4U. Cdr Tom Blackburn, CO of VF-17, described Roger Hedrick as "the greatest fighter pilot I've had the privilege to serve with." Lt Cdr Hedrick achieved 3 more victories with VF-84 when he shot down 2 Ki-84s and a Zero during a sortie in which his F4U had already been damaged by ground fire over mainland Japan. The combat tour of VF-84 was abruptly ended on 11 May 1945 when two kamikazes slammed into the Bunker Hill, severely damaging the carrier and forcing its withdrawal from operations. Lt Cdr Hedrick was unhurt during this attack that took nearly 400 lives, including 22 pilots of VF-84. |
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Operating Instructions Max Permitted Airspeed- 516 MPH Max Airspeed Gear Extended- 403 MPH Max G Loading- +7.5/-3.5 @ normal weight and less Max Airspeed 0°-20° Flaps- 230 MPH Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8W |
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Performance
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