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Vought F4U Corsair facts for kids

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The Vought F4U Corsair was a powerful fighter aircraft that played a big role in two major conflicts: World War II and the Korean War. This amazing plane was built by Vought, but because so many were needed, other companies like Goodyear and Brewster also helped make them.

The Corsair started being used a lot in 1944. It holds a special record for U.S. piston-engined fighters, as it was built for the longest time, from 1942 all the way to 1953! Pilots from the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Royal Navy (called the Fleet Air Arm), and the Royal New Zealand Air Force flew the Corsair. Even the French Navy used it. Some Japanese pilots even said it was the best American fighter of World War II. The U.S. Navy reported that for every Corsair lost, 11 enemy planes were shot down! Besides being a fighter, it was also a very effective carrier-based plane that could drop bombs during World War II.

Quick facts for kids
F4U Corsair
Vought F4U Corsair (USMC).jpg
A restored F4U-4 Corsair in Korean War-era U.S. Marine Corps markings
Role Carrier-based fighter-bomber
National origin United States
Manufacturer Chance Vought
First flight 29 May 1940
Introduction 28 December 1942
Retired 1953 (United States)
1979 (Honduras)
Primary users United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
Royal Navy
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Produced 1942–53
Number built 12,571
Variants Goodyear F2G Corsair

What Was the F4U Corsair?

The F4U Corsair was a famous American fighter plane. It was known for its unique "gull-wing" shape, where the wings bent downwards near the body and then upwards. This design helped the plane's large propeller stay clear of the ground.

When Was the Corsair First Flown?

The very first Corsair took to the skies on May 29, 1940. It was officially introduced into service on December 28, 1942. The last Corsair was built in 1953, making it one of the longest-produced fighter planes in U.S. history.

Who Used the F4U Corsair?

The Corsair was a popular aircraft used by several countries. Its main users were the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. Other important users included the Royal Navy (Fleet Air Arm) and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It was also used by the French Navy and other smaller air forces around the world. The last Corsairs were retired by Honduras in 1979.

Images for kids

  • F4U-Corsair OE-EAS OTT 2013 04 main landing gear

    Landing gear on an F4U-4 Corsair.

  • Boyingtons Corsair

    Vought F4U-1A Corsair, BuNo 17883, of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, the commander of VMF-214, Vella Lavella end of 1943

  • Corsair Mk1 Quonset Point 1943

    FAA Corsair Is at NAS Quonset Point, 1943.

  • RAAF Boomerang with RNZAF Corsairs on Bougainville 1945

    RNZAF Corsairs with a Royal Australian Air Force CAC Boomerang on Bougainville, 1945.

  • F4U Corsair

    A United States Navy F4U-5NL Corsair equipped with the air intercept radar (right wing) and a 154-gallon drop tank in the Geneseo Airshow, on 9 July 2006

  • F4U-7 NAN3-53

    Early F4U-7 Corsair in flight in black and white with the former flashes of the French Naval Aviation

  • F4U-Corsair

    Former Argentine F4U-5NL in Aeronavale 14.F flotilla colors in 2006

  • F4U-1 Corsair in flight c1942

    An early F4U-1 in flight.

  • Brewster F3A-1 Corsair

    A F3A-1 in a dive

  • FG-1D NAN3-53

    A Goodyear-built FG-1D, with the later single-piece "blown" canopy used by the F4U-1D.

  • XF4U-3 NAN6 46

    An XF4U-3 in 1946.

  • F4U-5N VMFN-513 Wonsan 1950

    A VMF(N)-513 F4U-5N at Wonsan during the Korean War, 1950.

  • AU-1 Corsair in flight 1952

    A factory-fresh AU-1, 1952.

  • F9F Cougar & F4U COAN ARA

    Argentine F9F Cougar and F4U Corsairs, 1960s

  • Chance vought corsair f4u-5n FAH-609

    FAH-609

  • Vought AU-1 Corsair Standard Aircraft Characterisics 1953

    AU-1 Corsair Standard Aircraft Characteristics

  • XF4U-1 NACA 1940

    The XF4U-1 prototype in 1940/41, showing its more forward cockpit location

  • F4U-1 NACA 1943

    An early F4U-1 showing the "birdcage" canopy with rearwards production cockpit location.

  • Vought F4U-1 Corsairs of VF-17 in flight, 1943

    Early F4U-1s of VF-17

  • Ww2 157

    A Corsair fires its rockets at a Japanese stronghold on Okinawa

  • F4U Coursair Udvar Hazy

    Corsair on display at the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

  • CorsairUnderside

    Underside of a Corsair

  • F4U-4 VF-1B CVB-41 1947-48

    An F4U-4 of VF-1b on board USS Midway, 1947–1948.

  • Corsair FG-1D Bu88391 RNZAF

    Corsair FG-1D (Goodyear built F4U-1D) in the Royal New Zealand Air Force markings

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Chance Vought F4U Corsair para niños

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