F4U in Europe

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Thats lower than most and I am not versed in lower production aircraft
But in achievements Typhoon stopped Fw190 Tip and run raids, was instrumental during and post Normandy (Falaise) and supporting allied advance into Germany, Tempest was the only plane to be able to catch a V1 in level flight, at low level Me 262 pilots respected it as a challenge. Another low production aircraft you really must read up on is the B-29 Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Wikipedia
 
But in achievements Typhoon stopped Fw190 Tip and run raids, was instrumental during and post Normandy (Falaise) and supporting allied advance into Germany, Tempest was the only plane to be able to catch a V1 in level flight, at low level Me 262 pilots respected it as a challenge. Another low production aircraft you really must read up on is the B-29 Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Wikipedia
I actually know that high level bombing of japan plus kit dropped the only nukes to use at war
 
I actually know that high level bombing of japan plus kit dropped the only nukes to use at war
Actually a lot of bombing of Japan was at low level.

The orders for the raid issued to the B-29 crews stated that the main purpose of the attack was to destroy the many small factories located within the target area, but also noted that it was intended to cause civilian casualties as a means of disrupting production at major industrial facilities.[73] Each of XXI Bomber Command's three wings was allocated a different altitude to bomb from, in bands between 5,000 feet (1,500 m) and 7,000 feet (2,100 m). These altitudes were calculated to be too high for the light Japanese antiaircraft guns to reach, and below the effective range of the heavy antiaircraft guns.[56]

 
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Actually a lot of bombing of Japan was at low level.

The orders for the raid issued to the B-29 crews stated that the main purpose of the attack was to destroy the many small factories located within the target area, but also noted that it was intended to cause civilian casualties as a means of disrupting production at major industrial facilities.[73] Each of XXI Bomber Command's three wings was allocated a different altitude to bomb from, in bands between 5,000 feet (1,500 m) and 7,000 feet (2,100 m). These altitudes were calculated to be too high for the light Japanese antiaircraft guns to reach, and below the effective range of the heavy antiaircraft guns.[56]

Sorry for that when I think of US heavy bomber usage I think 20,000 and about
 
The B29 could bomb from high altitude but with the jet stream at 30,000 ft they couldnt hit anything.
Oh i always forget those wind currents are a thing
 
I'm 80 and have been reading about airplanes since I was at least 12 and thought I knew a lot, but every week I learn of another plane I had never heard of in addition to learning more about planes I had already studied. For instance, I've learned a certain small interceptor built in New York was so good we didn't need any other fighters. I've built models of it and I didn't know that. (humor)
 
I'm 80 and have been reading about airplanes since I was at least 12 and thought I knew a lot, but every week I learn of another plane I had never heard of in addition to learning more about planes I had already studied. For instance, I've learned a certain small interceptor built in New York was so good we didn't need any other fighters. I've built models of it and I didn't know that. (humor)
I am the same, I just learned the Gloster Gamecock was built in New York.
 
The Navy tested a "cleaned up" version of the F4U-1 and found a maximum speed of 431 MPH - but the report was dated Feb. 8, 1945, and by that time F4U-4s were being issued to the fleet, and the war in Europe was almost over.

If the F4U had to be used in Europe, I think it would have done "well", but it would not have practically done anything better than the P-47. I think it would have been inferior to both the P-47 and P-51 for escorting B-17s and B-24s. To maximize its potential range, it would either have to make due with the dangerous unsealed wing tanks or carry a drop-tank rated for combat. The F4U could have gained some speed by simple measures to optimize it for land-based operations. In air-to-air combat with FW-190 and Bf-109Gs, it would have done at least as well as the P-47.
 
But in achievements Typhoon stopped Fw190 Tip and run raids, was instrumental during and post Normandy (Falaise) and supporting allied advance into Germany, Tempest was the only plane to be able to catch a V1 in level flight, at low level Me 262 pilots respected it as a challenge. Another low production aircraft you really must read up on is the B-29 Boeing B-29 Superfortress - Wikipedia
Interesting fact the B-29 program cost more than the Manhattan project
 
As I stated before, I can see the F4U being used in CAS ala P-47, but I'd still take the Thunderbolt based on better range and the high altitude performance it's turbo delivered.

Not sure I can see a slot for the F6F in ETO ops though, dogfight wise I'm sure it could give a good account of itself but when and where you'd get that opportunity I'm not sure.
 
That's not a knock on the Brits at all. It's an avid WWII aircraft buff not being happy at how Corsairs in Lend-Lease operation were disposed of. The method of disposition was likely chosen by the U.S.A., so I can't fault the Brits for it. If it were up to me, I'd not send a single piece of military equipment overseas unless it was included that they would all be returned to the U.S.A. when the equipment was no longer needed. To me, if the equipment isn't worth the cost to transport it home when the task is completed, then it isn't worth sending anywhere away from home and the conflict can be fought without the equipment.
Quote from the article: "When the war ended, the Americans were faced with the question of how to get their excess material back, including around 150 planes. It was decided it would be cheaper to get rid of the planes than to bring them back on ships, so they were simply pushed off the back of barges in the lagoon [Kwajelein]."

 
Somewhere in my stuff I have a Nat. Geographics from 1946 with pictures of U.S. B-24s being flown onto an island until no room to land more, then their backs broken by bulldozer and left.
 
Somewhere in my stuff I have a Nat. Geographics from 1946 with pictures of U.S. B-24s being flown onto an island until no room to land more, then their backs broken by bulldozer and left.
Here are some more airplane graveyards, from all over. Those neat and tidy lines of Corsairs in New Zealand look almost ready to take off and fight.
 
Someone here a while back posted the actual US Corsair vs. Fw 190 evaluation test report. If I recall correctly the report rated them rather equally. Each having advantages and disadvantages over the other, but pretty close to one another.

Worthy of note, the Fw 190 tested was a "converted fighter bomber", there seems to be disagreement as to the actual variant tested. As well, the engine was running rough, and seemed to inexplicably quit on them.
 
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Hi pbehn. I get your point above about the ground speed. Agreed. So, the escort had to fly a much longer mission to escort the slower bombers than the bombers flew. We pretty much all knew that, but perhaps haven't heard it said quite that way. I have expressed it as, "Since the escorts flew faster than the bombers, they needed to fly farther. Said another way, they all needed the same endurance, but at different speeds, so the distances flown were not the same."

That means the F4U was, as we all pretty much said, never going to be a long-range escort. I think it would have done better than the P-47 in air-to-air combat, but not quite as good in ground attack ... unless the armament was changed to cannons but, this was covered above sufficiently.

Hi VA5124. You didn't waste anybody's time; you helped us get together and have a nice discussion. That's what we're looking for in here, people who stimulate discussion and ask questions we haven't really considered before to get the threads going. This was fun, so stick around! Cheers!
 

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