F4U-4 Corsair contribution in WW2

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

F3A-1, P&W R-2800-8 (8W for some?) (Contract for 1,508 on 5 March 1943)

FG-1, P&W R-2800-8 (First contract for 2,000 on 18 June 1942)
FG-1D, P&W R-2800-8W
F2G-1, P&W R-4360-4
F2G-2, P&W R-4360-4
FG-3, P&W R-2800-14W (Turbo) (No Production)
FG-4, P&W R-4360-4

F4U-1, P&W R-2800-8 (First contract for 584 dated 30 June 1941)
F4U-1D, P&W R-2800-8W
F4U-4, P&W R-2800-18W (42W for some, including all -4P?)
F4U-5, P&W R-2800-32W
F4U-7, P&W R-2800-18W

There is a dispute over whether some of the prototypes were officially accepted as X types or converted from regular production. The BuNos for the XF4U-3 would have been 2 F4U-1 and 1 F4U-1A. The BuNos for the XF4U-4 would have been 2 F4U-1A, plus the first 5 F4U-4 numbers. All XF4U-5 probably converted after acceptance as F4U-4. The XF4U-6 is considered a modified F4U-5N here. All XF2G-1 officially accepted as FG-1

Different sources have different BuNos for the 11 F4U-4P.

735 F3A-1 June 1943 to July 1944.

2,001 FG-1 April 1943 to January 1945
1,997 FG-1D, September 1944 to September 1945
8 XF2G-1
5 F2G-1 May to October 1945
5 F2G-2 October 1945 to February 1946

No indication Goodyear was going to change over to the equivalent of the F4U-4, in 1945 it had an ongoing FG-1D contract plus a contract for 428 F2G dated 22 March 1944 (only 10 built) and contracts for 1,500 (27 January 1945) and 1,000 (1 June 1945) FG-4, both cancelled.

1 XF4U-1
947 F4U-1 July 1942 to August 1943
1,872 F4U-1A August 1943 to April 1944 (note there were 3 laggards, 1 each in May, June and October)
200 F4U-1C August 1944 to January 1945
1,675 F4U-1D April 1944 to February 1945
3 XF4U-3
7 XF4U-4
2,051 F4U-4 December 1944 to April 1946 (orders for another 2,900 cancelled, along with 793 from the order in production)
286 F4U-4B April 1946 to August 1947
11 F4U-4P August 1946 to August 1947
3 XF4U-5
317 F4U-5, November 1947 to November 1948
315 F4U-5N, 75 from March 1948 to January 1949, 240 from May 1949 until Q3/1951 (Note from 1947 "F4U-5N acceptances have been delayed by difficulties with night version installations.")
30 F4U-5P, May to November 1948
111 AU-1, 18 in Q1/1952, 54 in Q2/1952, 39 in Q1/1953
94 F4U-7, Q1 to Q3/1953.

12,580 Total

32 to 34 F4U-1 between BuNos. 02153 to 03816 and 17412 to 17473 converted to F4U-2 night fighters.
Bu. No. 17647, first raised cockpit F4U, accepted 9 August 1943
FG-1 BuNo 13111 accepted on 24 August 1943, static test only, not flown, 76139 was its replacement, not counted above.

F4U-4 monthly production, December 1944 to August 1945, 3, 44, 150, 268, 279, 302, 300, 303, 210.

 

[fubar57]

…..and that's how many kills the F4U-4 had

 

[Geoffrey Sinclair]

…..and that's how many kills the F4U-4 had

Yes, like the PDF posted, which at times contradicts the production information I have. Talking the opportunity to see which is the correct information.

 

[Old Crow]

…..and that's how many kills the F4U-4 had

Yes, so I'll go with at least 9 kills (Okinawa) but probably less than 15 total for WW2 after reading a few carrier reports and one describing "almost complete absence of enemy airborne planes" during air strikes on Japan from mid July thru mid August 1945.

 

[R Leonard]

I count but four credits from the F4U-4 squadrons operating with TF-38 from 10 July to 15 August 1945.

VBF-6 USS Hancock (CV-19); ;
7/25/1945; ENS Robert Stephens Farnsworth; credited with one D4Y3, near Ueno A/F
7/25/1945; LTJG Robert Eugene White; credited with one C6N2, CAP, over ships
8/15/1945; ENS Robert Stephens Farnsworth; credited with one B5N, 20 mi northwest of 24-48N,142-59E

VBF-86 USS Wasp (CV-18);
8/8/1945; LT Lilburn Adkin Edmonston; credited with one Ki-45, 287°, 75 mi from 39-57N,145-00E

 

[Old Crow]

I count but four credits from the F4U-4 squadrons operating with TF-38 from 10 July to 15 August 1945.

VBF-6 USS Hancock (CV-19); ;
7/25/1945; ENS Robert Stephens Farnsworth; credited with one D4Y3, near Ueno A/F
7/25/1945; LTJG Robert Eugene White; credited with one C6N2, CAP, over ships
8/15/1945; ENS Robert Stephens Farnsworth; credited with one B5N, 20 mi northwest of 24-48N,142-59E

VBF-86 USS Wasp (CV-18);
8/8/1945; LT Lilburn Adkin Edmonston; credited with one Ki-45, 287°, 75 mi from 39-57N,145-00E

Great! Thanks for your research. Looks like 13 total kills unless somebody has more info.

 

[Wild_Bill_Kelso]

Total victory claims for the US (Navy and Marines) F4U (all types) was 2140, all in the Pacific Theater. I think the only other Corsair claims during the war would be from the FAA.

 

[GTX]

I think the only other Corsair claims during the war would be from the FAA.

I think you are right. I am not aware of any RNZAF ones.

 

[Admiral Beez]

The -4 had an uprated engine.

Good stuff.

In it's 113 year history, only one member of the RCN has won the Victoria Cross. Our Corsair pilot, Robert Hampton Gray, VC, DSC. It's a shame his Corsair didn't get him home again.

 

[echo1]

The -4 had an uprated engine.

And a change from 3 blade to 4 blade props. PAX

 

[nuuumannn]

I thought we liked the British.

Believe you me, it's seasonal...

 

[special ed]

Are they wearing red coats?

 

[nuuumannn]

think you are right. I am not aware of any RNZAF ones.

The RNZAF primarily employed the Corsair as a ground attack aircraft, while the NZ Fighter Wing exclusively flew P-40s. No RNZAF confirmed kills were allocated to Corsair pilots despite encounters with enemy aircraft.