Heya's,
This question has been at the top of my list for years.
First things first. The power loading of the F4U-1 and 1D is amoung the best of all American fighters and better than any production model P38. The F4U-4 is far and away the best American fighter in this regard. Here is a quick breakdown of 1944 fighters except the F4U-1A from 1943 best to worst.
1. F4U-1D
Weight = 12,175LBS
HP= 2250
Power to weight ratio=5.411
2. P-38L
Weight = 17,500LBS
HP= 3200
Power to weight ratio= 5.468
3.F6F-5
Weight= 12,485LBS
HP=2250
Power to weight ratio= 5.54
4. P-51D
Weight 9611lbs (AH listed Normal Weight. 100% internal fuel is 10,100)
HP=1720
Power to weight= 5.58
5.P-47D-30
Weight= 14500
HP=2600
Power to weight =5.576.
6. F4U-1A (Empty wing tanks)
Weight=12,037
HP=2135 (later -1A's had 2250HP)
Power to weight ratio= 5.63 (5.34 with later 1944 HP)
Here are the drag Cdo of these A/C best to worst
1. P-51D = .017
2. F4U-1/1D= .020
3. P-47D= .022
4. F6F-5= .023
5. P-38L= .028
Based on this alone the F4U-1D should be the best climber/Accelerator amoung these A/C. However there is the question of prop efficiency. Well I know that there was a prop change right around 1944 that change the F4U prop from a 3 blade toothpic to a three blade paddle and it increased climb significantly. So why isn't it as good or better than the other A/C in AH?
All I can tell you is that anecdotally the F4U outclimbed most other fighters. I cannot however provide hard data to that effect. However this is what I do have.
1. In the test performed between the F4U-1A(2250HP 1944) and P-51B the F4U outclimbed the P-51 and reached a top speed of 365MPH at sea level and 430MPH at 20K.
2. In the test performed in late 1942 with a very early model F4U-1 against the captured A6M2 (Koga's Zero) the F4U was equal to if not slightly less in rate of climb up to 20K where the F4U was far superior.
3. In the 1944 test between the F4U-1D and A6M5 the F4U-1D was equal in climb up to 12k where it was 750FPM better and 500FPM superior at 17k and above. In the same test the F6F-5 was inferior up to 12k equal to 17K and superior above that alt.
4. In the test between the F4U-1D, F6F-3 and FW190A5 the F4U was SUPERIOR in climb at it's best climbing speeds of 160MPH and lower to both other A/C. It was slower in climb than the 190 at speeds above 160MPH(140Knots).
5. In a modern test in 1989 by a group of modern test pilots the F4U finished second to the F6F-5 in climb to 10K. It was superior to the P-51D and P-47D-30. The F6F however was 500lbs lighter than the F4U during this test. It would normally be 500Lbs heavier.
6. In Butch O'Hare's memoirs "Fatefull Rendevous" he comments on his squadron of F6F-3 taking a climb to 20,000ft challenge by the members of a F4U-1 Squadron in 1943. He says that it was widely recognized that the F4U climbed approx. 750fpm better than the F6F-3 but they took the challenge anyway. His squadron lost the bet but "not by much" so he was satisfied.
I don't think Butch O'Hare was saying this for my benifit.
In any case I have power to weight and drag numbers that point towards this as well as annecdotal evidence and flight test data. However I do not have NAVAIR docs to prove otherwise. So I guess I will keep on searching.
