Need help ID'ing this Corsair.

[Tec]

http://www.ethell.com/jethell/ww2color/f4u.htm

Some sources list it as a 1A, some as a 1D, and VMF-122 flew both...  Anything in the pic that gives it away?  I've already started it as a 1A but would like to be as accurate as possible.

[AWwrgwy]

Without a serial number or seeing what it had for hard points it's hard to tell from that picture.  Just from the "ordinance" and "ground support" aspect in the photo's caption I'd almost say go with the F4U-1D.

I can't tell and the search I did did not find anything revealing.

Still looking.



wrongway

[Tec]

That squadron did do a lot of ground pounding, which makes me think 1D, but I found a loss report that lists VMF-122 1A's and 1D's flow on the same mission...

[Greebo]

It has canopy frames, which suggests it is an F4U-1A although a few of the first F4U-1Ds may have had framed canopies until stocks were used up. OTOH it as the later all over Sea blue colour scheme which was normally found on F4U-1Ds. However some A's were refurbished at depots and repainted in the later scheme. Overall I'd say its more likely to be an A but without seeing the underside its hard to say.

[Banshee7]

Looks to me like an F4U-1D.  The F4U-1As have two bars on the canopy over the pilot.

[Saxman]

Take a closer look, Banshee. The frame is there.

[Banshee7]

Dang, you're right.....Got to look really really hard into that glare.  So I'm now changing to F4U-1A

Although, the more I look at it, the more I can't tell whether it is the frame for the canopy, or the outline of the fuselage where the canopy is covering

[Tec]

Thanks for the help.  I have started it as an A and I'm going to keep it that way unless something definitive is found.  Greebo you mention some A's being repainted in the overall Glossy Sea Blue.  Do you think the line behind the insignia where the paint is a slightly different shade could be an indicator of this?

[Guppy35]

Think this might answer it.

"In August 1943, VMF-122 returned to Marine Air Depot Mirimar, Calif. Embarking on the USS HOLLANDIA for its second overseas tour in the Western Pacific, the squadron was outfitted with 24 new Goodyear FG-1A aircraft at Peleliu, engaging in missions over the Northern Palaus before returning in February 1945"

[Tec]

Thanks Guppy.  Apparently they had both 1A's and 1D's. http://www.missingaircrew.com/pdf/3feb45.pdf

Based on Greebo's assessment I'm going to go with 1A for this one.  Thanks everyone for your help.  I never knew about the difference in the cockpit bars, I'm sure that tidbit is going to come in handy in the future.