Author Topic: F4U question(s) (Read 835 times)

Ongurth · « **on:** March 22, 2007, 04:42:07 PM »

my obsession with the F4U's has lately driven me to read quite a bit about them and how they preformed in real life and it is from this information that I derive my questions. I get the impression that alot of you guys know quite a bit about the history of these aircraft, and I thought it would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to learn about them.

I read that (contrary to Aces High corsairs) the first F4U to be deployed for carrier use (save for the brit Corsairs) was the F4U-1D. Is this true? What I read said it was because of it being hard to see the deck from the cockpit of the F4U's.

Secondly, I have a calender with several pictures of the EXACT F4U-1A that is modeled in the game (markings and all). Is there something special about this particular plane?

Saxman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2007, 06:03:39 PM »

The F4U-1A skin in the game belonged to the C/O of the Jolly Rogers. So yeah, you could say there was something special about it.

As for Corsairs on carriers, the 1D I think was the first to be REGULARLY based on the CVs. However the birdcage and 1A would at times work off CVs.

SIK1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2007, 10:18:15 AM »

I happen to be reading Jolly Rogers by Tom Blackburn. VF-17 operated F4U-1's off of an escort carrier in Chesapeak bay(IIRC) during their training. They were upgraded to F4U-1A's right before they were deployed. When they were deployed to PTO the were initially assigned to CV-17 Bunker Hill, but because of logistical(not operational) reasons. they were replaced on the Bunker Hill by VF-18(an F6F) squadron. The Navy did not have the resources to maintain the F4U in fleet service, but the Marines, who had been operating the corsair in the PTO for some time, did.
So VF-17 was moved to a land base. They did however operate from a carrier at least once during their combat tour (might be more I haven't finished the book yet).

The skin of the F4U-1A in AH is Big Hog the plane of LtCdr Thomas Blackburn CO of VF-17.

Just a side note VF-17 was one of the most successful navy fighter squadrons of WWII, with 154.5(IIRC) confirmed kills in something like 13 months flying the F4U in the PTO. Other noteable members of VF-17 are Roger Hedrick who finished his Naval career as a R Admr. Ike Kepford the leading ace of VF-17 with 16 confirmed kills.

Ongurth · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2007, 08:28:31 PM »

awesome. thank you, sirs.

I may have to check out that book....

SIK1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2007, 12:33:37 PM »

I finished the book last night, and I have some corrections. The original VF-17 was commisioned for a total of 15 months, from 1-1-1943 to 3-7-1944. They were in combat from 10-28-1943 to 3-6-1944. Twelve members of VF-17 had five or more kills.

The book is a good read, and it has some neat b&w pics. I recomend it for anyone who is interested in WWII, particularly PTO.

F4UDOA · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2007, 06:23:40 PM »

SIK1,

Welcome to my own personel obsession.

It is most likely that the F4U-1D was the first F4U to be deployed aboard carriers in significant numbers. The F4U-2 however was deployed on carriers well before that in 1944 during the Mariannes campaign.

They were the only available night fighters for a while until the F6F varient became ready. They performed well without incedent and actually scored a 5 victories with no losses.

I cannot say for sure that the F4U-1 was not also deployed along side of the F4U-1D but I do not have anything to document it.

FYI, Blackburn and the VF-17 swore the F4U was carrier ready in 1943 but the decision was made because of the logistical difficulties of deploying Vought parts in a Grumman Navy. My sig is a quote from Blackburn on that very subject.

Ongurth · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2007, 01:07:51 PM »

I got the book, and am really enjoying reading it.

Thanks for pointing it out to me.

Treize69 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2007, 04:26:03 PM »

You have an edition with photos?? I've had a copy for over 10 years that doesn't have any pics in it, have to look around for a different edition.

Bodhi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:04:55 PM »

Any obbsession on the Corsair is not complete without Barret Tillman's book, Corsair.

SIK1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2007, 09:33:25 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Treize69
You have an edition with photos?? I've had a copy for over 10 years that doesn't have any pics in it, have to look around for a different edition.

Hmm, my copy was printed in 1989, and it has pics.

I just ordered "The Skull and Crossbones Squadron" by Lee Cook (IIRC).

Now I have to find Barret Tillmans book "Corsair".

You see Bodhi I'm not just obsessed with the corsair, but with VF-17 as well.

Oh the humanity.

Puck · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2007, 02:54:24 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bodhi
Any obbsession on the Corsair is not complete without Barret Tillman's book, Corsair.

I actually have a couple of Barret Tillman's books on Corsairs. The REAL one and volume 4 of Warbird Tech, which also has his name on it.

...and the Osprey, and VMF-323, and...and...and...