Object on the belly of a VF-17 F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair

ThomasP said:

I cannot say for sure, but that may be the target towing attachment/release. I have only ever seen it with a protective cover on, but it is in the correct position and the right ~size.

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pgeno71 said:

Hello all,

I was looking through some photos of VF-17 Corsairs while on the shakedown of the USS Bunker Hill and noticed a small projection coming from the bottom of the fuselage.View attachment 849582
Here is a photo from an inverted plane.
View attachment 849583

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pgeno71 said:

It looks like a type of hook to me, but I would greatly appreciate if someone could please identify and explain its purpose. Take care everyone and thank you.

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pgeno71 said:

Hello all,

I was looking through some photos of VF-17 Corsairs while on the shakedown of the USS Bunker Hill and noticed a small projection coming from the bottom of the fuselage.View attachment 849582
Here is a photo from an inverted plane.
View attachment 849583
It looks like a type of hook to me, but I would greatly appreciate if someone could please identify and explain its purpose. Take care everyone and thank you.

Click to expand...

DisplacedTex said:

It does look like it is the target tow release mechanism as ThomasP mentions. Here is a drawing and a blowup of that same area of the drawing.View attachment 850369View attachment 850370

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