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As I remember when it first flew it didnt even make full use of the power it had and needed a different propeller. There were a lot of lessons needed to be learned very quickly. Between 1940 and 1945 front line planes went from 1000 to 2000+ BHP and in fact reached the limits of what is practically possible with reciprocating engines. The stories of problems on the Corsair are way overblown and seem to assume that making a 2000BHP monoplane that can be landed by an average service pilot on a carrier is an easy task.Could K5054, as it flew, really have used the Griffon 101?
T!
I read, a LOT, and I have read probably 200+ books dedicated to WW2 aircraft. I also read about modern aircraft. And I have noticed over the years a constant refrain. Without any exception I can find every aircraft ever delivered during WW2 was initially underpowered or had no Super or Turbo chargers and therefor was restricted to lower level performance envelopes.
The other thing I wanted to mention, is that the P-47 was a beast when it was first delivered into service and just kept getting meaner as the years went by - I cannot think of any time someone complained that it was underpowered.
I don't see it as blaming the companies, at least not all of them. I guess the point I was trying to make, and I believe is true to this day, is that typically speaking military equipment is always horrible when it comes to version 1. Often needlessly. Having served myself I can attest to time after time upon receiving new equipment we encountered difficulties that rendered it either useless or far less useful than intended. I cannot think of a single instance where this was necessary or could not have been avoided by simple reality checks of the requirements vs delivered specs. As far as blame, there was plenty of that to go around I am sure. It was unpatriotic to discuss war profiteering during and after the war but in the decades that followed it became readily apparent most manufacturers dined at that trough to some degree or another.
When ya wanna improve Rate of Climb you either cut weight or Increase Power Available over Power Required.
Virtually All of the WWII top fighters when tested in early stages reflected a comment by test pilot "Could Use (or Need) More Power to improve Climb.