Some things to keep in mind about the F4U:
Ignore the ElGay/Tempest/Runstang and Spit dweebs. The F4Us are by varying degrees the best ships in the game. The F4U-4 is EASILY the best prop fighter PERIOD.
Every Hog pilot will tell you different about which of the variants are best. Some guys swear by the Charlie because of the cannon, others the 1D because of its ordinance load. IMO for purely air-to-air work the 1A is a monster second only to the -4 because it blends the speed and turning ability of the birdcage with the improved acceleration and vertical of the 1C/D.
The F4U can do some downright amazing things at low speed, but I'd say less than 10% of guys who drive the Hog with regularity can exploit that to its fullest extent (I personally don't number myself among them). For the mortals, especially when learning, you want to keep her relatively fast. 250-300 is a good range, especially if that keeps you faster than your opponents. Also, you want to stay above as much of the pack as you can. The Corsair's acceleration isn't spectacular unless you're in a -4, so you can use the extra altitude to your advantage, especially 'cause the Hogs REALLY wind it up in a dive.
However if you DO get slow don't forget Der Uberflappen (TM). The F4U has about the best flaps in the game, that properly timed will give the average Spit dweeb a REALLY nasty surprise. You can get the first notch out right about 250 (though IIRC, historically the Hog's could drop at 300. I'm sure Widewing or F4UDOA will be around shortly to support/dispute this). With proper speed, timing and throttle control the flaps can REALLY haul you through a turn. Use your rudder! The F4U has a HUGE rudder and it makes a difference! Especially at the top of the vertical, you can kick the inside rudder whip around on an opponent trying to dive out under you. You can also kick your gear out as a speed brake in a pinch, especially if you're about to overshoot. Popping gear, kicking hard rudder and barrel-rolling can really help you slam on the brakes like almost nothing else.
The Hog LIVES on speed. Her rate of roll MARKEDLY improves the faster she gets, (VERY few aircraft can boast this, as most lose aileron authority as speed piles on) and her instantaneous turn at high speeds is excellent. The Hog has excellent energy retention and just plain zooms like a ROCKET. P-51 and Las who think they can lose you in the zoom are in for a nasty surprise.
Know the situation. You don't want to be low and slow in a huge multi-plane furball with the F4U. She just doesn't have the climb or acceleration or low-speed turning ability to survive in that sort of situation. Stay higher and faster than your opponents as best you can. DON'T try and flat turn if you can avoid it. Use Yo-Yos (high or low) or lag rolls when Spits, Zekes and Hurricanes try to break on you. One of my favorite things to do if a guy breaks on me is to go vertical and keep rolling as I pull through a loop to keep the target centered at the top of my canopy. Probably 8-9 times out of 10 that drops me in a position where I have a shot. Make your kills fast. IMO the F4U drastically loses its advantage the longer it takes you to get a guns solution.
1v1 you can afford to slow down more, and if you know how to handle flaps and angles the Hog can TnB with the best of them in a duel.
Set your convergence in close (been setting mine to 200yds, and would recommend no more than 350 for air-to-air work. For strafing you can go longer, I use 600yds for air-to-ground). Those .50cal are absolute BUZZSAWS under 300yds when in convergence. The important thing is to set your range at what YOU feel is your prime kill zone and where you make most of your shots. If you never fire when the counter is higher than 0, then set your guns under 100yds, etc.
