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

[pgeno71]

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.

Here is a photo from an inverted plane.

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.

 

[ThomasP]

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.

 

[pgeno71]

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.

Thanks Tom, I appreciate the info. Take care.

 

[pb43]

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.

 

[pb43]

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.

All the TOs and manuals I have on the Corsair. The link only lasts three days so if you miss it send me a message SendGB | Send Large Files | Free file transfer

 

[pgeno71]

Thanks very much for the images and I got the manuals as well. Very cool. Take care and thanks again.

 

[DisplacedTex]

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.

 

[pgeno71]

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

Thanks for the diagram, it looks awesome. Sorry I took so long to reply to you, I've been away from the forum for a while. take care and thanks again.