Wing tanks in the F4U series?

[Soulyss]

Here's one for you Corsair fans... why were the wing fuel cells removed in the later models of the F4U?  I"m sure there was a reason for it, but I would think that an aircraft being groomed or intended for carrier service and thus bound for the pacific theater would not take a reduction of internal fuel capacity lightly.

[Saxman]

Going by info posted in the past by F4UDOA and others, the wing tanks were mainly removed because they had leaking problems they could never resolve. The added bonus was reduction of weight.

And the pilots WERE rather bothered by the removal of those tanks, as they preferred them for extending range over the drop tanks.

I'm sure DOA and WW have more info on the subject.

[F4UDOA]

Soulyss,

I spent a day in the National archives about a year ago researching F4U material. Problem is there is probably enough material communications to stretch from here to the moon of every possible squadron letter, request for parts and field technical orders etc.

Anyway one of the boxes I was rooting through had letters written to the fleet and from the fleet in regard to those wing tanks. Apparently they tried several different types of tanks but could never get rid of the leakage. The Navy decided to ditch the wing tanks and the Fleet was pissed. Apparently the loss of performance from the use of drop tanks was a larger concern than leaky wing tanks. I didn't copy the document because it didn't seem that interesting at the time and I was on limited time.  

There was quite a bit of detail about the various types of tanks tested and the results. There was alos records of paint finishes tested as well as some chemical warfare documents.

I need to get back there and do some more digging.

[Soulyss]

Ahh gotcha... thanks for the info.