Better Fighter: F4U-1a vs. F4U-1d

[Slade]

Which would you say is better for ACM: F4U-1a or the F4U-1d (12k and below)?

Context is 100% fighter ACM (not ground attack).

• Some say 1a better turner but Mosqs stats show 1d better (724 vs. 696 turn radius).
• 1d is faster by 5 mph.
• Climb rate on paper show them to be functionally the same.
• Gun package identical.

The 1d feels more stable to me.  The 1a feels lighter.  I have not found one dramatically better at ACM than the other yet.  Maybe I am missing something?

What have you found?


Thanks,

Slade 

[glzsqd]

The 1A is faster at all altitudes by around 5 mph(1-2 mph slower than the p51D at sea level). This is because the air frame is more stream lined. It is techniquely more survivable because it has wing fuel tanks which can be a backup in case the main tank is hit. The -1D  is lighter(Making it more maneuverable) because it doesn't have internal wing tanks however its pylons make it slower.


In-short the -1D is the superior Knife fighter while the -1A is the superior E fighter, however the only significant difference is Speed vs ordnance capability.

[FLS]

Because the 1A has more fuel tanks it is tested at a heavier weight than the 1D. That makes it appear to turn worse.

The AH hanger climb charts use the same weight for the 1A and 1D and the climb rate is identical. It seems likely that turn performance is also the same at the same weight .

[Zimme83]

Should be, if they have the same wings and same weight. I have hard to belive that it could be any significant diference. -1D might have a smaller radius becuse of lower top speed, but its not really an advantage if so.

[Saxman]

The 1A is marginally superior in most all forms of A2A combat. I've found through experience the extra fuel weight doesn't provide all that tremendous of a handicap on the 1A. And in fact the wing tanks provide a modest advantage when properly balanced for combat (~25% left, 50% right if you roll at 100% fuel) as the fuel distribution helps to stabilize the fighter; the 1A with balanced tanks is less likely to depart, so you can push her a little closer to the edge than you can with the 1D/C and 4.

HOWEVER that difference is so insignificant it may as well not exist. Equal pilots, you should generally see a 50/50 split.

Now, the extra weight of the cannon on the 1C DO make a more appreciable difference in Hog vs. Hog matches.

[Flyboy]

Hi saxman. Nice to hear from you

I would like to broaden the discussion to the f4u-1 vrs the f4u -1a
If I remember correctly its the same engine same fuel load different prop and im clueless about any other differences between the two

What say you?

[glzsqd]

the -1 vs the -1A is pretty simple. The -1A has more power available. It can accelerate, climb and dive quicker than the -1. The -1 is marginally lighter and doesn't seem to have as much torque, but the -1A is clearly the more capable aircraft.


Also I might add, it seems the Birdcage of the -1 makes it slightly more stream lined than the semi-bubble canopy, however the -1A power increase makes its speed ranges nearly identical.

[Saxman]

Hi saxman. Nice to hear from you

I would like to broaden the discussion to the f4u-1 vrs the f4u -1a
If I remember correctly its the same engine same fuel load different prop and im clueless about any other differences between the two

What say you?

Our 1A is a later mark with the same paddle prop (this is the big contributor to the performance difference, rather than extra engine power) as the 1D/C, as well as, obviously, the bubble canopy. It also has the stall spoiler on the right wing that was intended to make it more stable. Forward visibility over the nose is also improved.

The -1 is a bit of a hybrid monster, though, as I believe it's modeled with water injection (R-2800-8(W)), which the birdcages (and early 1As) didn't have.

[DmonSlyr]

Which would you say is better for ACM: F4U-1a or the F4U-1d (12k and below)?

Context is 100% fighter ACM (not ground attack).

• Some say 1a better turner but Mosqs stats show 1d better (724 vs. 696 turn radius).
• 1d is faster by 5 mph.
• Climb rate on paper show them to be functionally the same.
• Gun package identical.

The 1d feels more stable to me.  The 1a feels lighter.  I have not found one dramatically better at ACM than the other yet.  Maybe I am missing something?

What have you found?

Thanks,

Slade 

Lets see if I can help you out here.

The planes are very similar. I use the 1A for over land fighting. It is better at E fighting/management and gives you more gas. The 1A is better for faster fighting and BnZ, while also intending to climb to higher alts.

While they both can turn similar, the D has the slight edge simply because it is lighter and more versatile in the turn fight.

I use the Dhog when I'm upping from a CV, you don't need a heavy fueled plane when you are close to the CV. The Dhog can gain alt a little more quickly when rolling off the CV, as it is lighter. You can jabo the town using more ords, and you will be a lot more versatile in the low fight with a Dhog. The Dhog is the better defender of the CV than the Ahog.

The Dhog is the CV fighter

The Ahog is the over land fighter


If you are a quick in and out type fighter, I'd use the 1A with speed during the fight.

If you are a furballer who likes to stay in the fight and down n dirty, I'd use the Dhog.

[branch37]

the seat is raised higher in the -1A than in the -1 to give a better view over the nose.  Other than that, I believe the prop is different and it may have a little more power, but overall they are very similar.