corsair.

i know the corsair was primarily a carrier aircraft.but why was this aircraft not used in the e.t.o.the p47 and p51 were used in the e.t.o and the p.t.o.if this aircraft were used in the e.t.o would it not have made a considerable difference.i think it would have,what do you think.4th wilts.

 

It was a navy aircraft and originally was issued to Marine squadrons that were shore based. As the Marines did not field any large contingents of men in Europe, they did not need to bring along their own air force, which essentially was what Marine aircraft were.

Only later on (early 44) did the Corsair see ship deployments after some changes to the wheel struts and two Navy squadrons showed that the aricraft was safe for ship landings

Corsairs were on carriers later in war in the Atlantic in Fleet Air Arm. I have pictures of them.

 

i know comparisons with the corsair and p47 could be made,i personnally think the corsair would have made an excellent addition to the tactical airforces of the u.s and commonwealth in europe.yours,4th wilts.

 

There are two problems with this:

The first, and major one the Corsair wasn't more widely used was that Vought-Chance didn't have the capacity to produce more. Another Vought product was their competitor for a replacement torpedo bomber for the USN; the TBU Seawolf. This aircraft was judged by the Navy as superior to Grumman's entry the TBF Avenger. But, because Vought was already strapped for production the Grumman was selected simply because Grumman could build it.

The second problem is that the Corsair is not a good performer at high altitude. Much like the Fw 190 its best performance region was below 20,000 feet. This made it the wrong aircraft for the USAAF.

Of course, there could also be some of the "not invented here" syndrome going on too. That is, the Corsair is a Navy fighter and the USAAF might have had more than a little animosity towards using it for just that reason.

 

yes,but a great aircraft never the less.yours.4th wilts.

 

The corsair was a beautiful aircraft alright. What was the Japanese Nickname for it?

 

something similar to the beaufighter;whispering death.yours,4th wilts.

 

Whistling death.

 

Two interesting tidbits about the Corsair.

1. It had the longest production history of any piston-engine fighter. (1940-1953)
2. It was the first airplane to achieve 400 mph in level flight.

 

Not sure of Japanese nicknames for them, but some American airmen called them "Sweethearts of the Marianas".

 

The Royal Navy used the Corsair in the ETO at least once during the attacks on the battleship Tirpitz.

 

What is it about gull wings that make a plane look so deadly?

Stuka, Corsair........if looks could kill.......

tom

 

Did those wings lift up automatically or were they raised manually?

 

bloody lovely aircraft though.i thought the p38 lightning was the first aircraft to reach 400mph in level flight.yours,lee.

 

Did those wings lift up automatically or were they raised manually?
The pilot raised them from inside the cockpit-hydrolics

 

bloody lovely aircraft though.i thought the p38 lightning was the first aircraft to reach 400mph in level flight.yours,lee.
Google search links for you.
first prop driven fighter 400 mph level flight - Google Search

first prop driven fighter 400 level flight - Google Search

 

The pilot raised them from inside the cockpit-hydrolics

Cheers Slip.

 

By the way....I did take a picture of a still airworthy Corsair last summer. This beauty resides in Virginia Beach, Va. It still flies. But only have a picture of it at rest.

 

that is a great photo.i belive the gull shape was literally to allow such a huge prop.it would otherwise not fit.yours,lee.

 

that is a great photo.i belive the gull shape was literally to allow such a huge prop.it would otherwise not fit.yours,lee.

Yep to keep the undercart (being a big deal on a naval aircraft) legs shorter and therefore stronger for a given weight to provide clearance for the big prop.

Kev