Enlighten me . . .

[AcId]

I've been flying the F4U's alot, and consequently doing a little research here and there which we all know can make one very dangerous.  

I'm wondering why the big difference in flight charecteristics between the -1 and -1D, I'm quite aware of the bubble canopy vs birdcage setups and how that could effectively slow the -1D a little making the -1 a faster bird but why does it climb so much slower than the 1D? According to what I've found online (I admint not the best resource)  they had the same engine (R-2800-8W). However, I'm guessing our -1 has a different Engine than our -1D hence the climbrate difference, maybe due to horsepower?? If thats the case wouldnt that extra horsepower be enough to keep up with the -1? I'm starting to confuse myself, someone help me.

No Wep, Auto-takeoff, Auto-climb, performed Offline, all settings default.
-1D 75% fuel (177.75gals) time to 10k= 4:30 15k= 6:38
-1 50% fuel (180.5gals) time to 10k= 4:53 15k= 7:13
(stopwatch started at the same time as engine start, allow +/- 1 second for error)

The -1D, a slightly heavier version beat the -1 a lighter faster bird.

If they do have the same engine, then why does the -1 climb slower?
If the -1D has more horses to climb better how come it can't keep up with the 1A?

[Pei]

We have the F4U-1: the F4U-1A was the first Corsair version without the birdcage.

IIRC correctly the F4U-1D is somewhat heavier when empty but does not have the big wing tanks of the -1 (and therefore might actually be lighter when a large fuel load is selected).

[AcId]

Originally posted by Pei
We have the F4U-1: the F4U-1A was the first Corsair version without the birdcage.

IIRC correctly the F4U-1D is somewhat heavier when empty but does not have the big wing tanks of the -1 (and therefore might actually be lighter when a large fuel load is selected).

ok i changed my post from 1A's to -1's but the questions remain, I used similar fuel loads for the test, so both AC were carrying roughly the same weight of fuel.

[AcId]

Some online resources say the -1 had a 2000hp R-2800-8(B) and the -1D an R-2800-8(W) which some sites rate at 2000hp, 2200hp, 2250hp......so which is it?
Also nothing is said about the -1 having any wep, as far as I know that is what the "W" is for in the D models engine number. What engine does our -1 have? I'm getting more confused by the minute.....I better stop.

I'm glad I don't have your job Pyro

[F4UDOA]

Acid,

Aren't you a P-47 guy??

Well I can tell you the F4U is very similar to the P-47 in that it's all about the prop.

The biggest difference maker between the two in performance is

1. The F4U-1/1A used a 3 blade 13' 4" toothpick type prop. While the F4U-1A(late) and F4U-1D used a 3 blade 13'1" paddle prop. This little peice of history is almost lost unless you read the Flight manual where it says to use the newer prop as it increases performance as well as the F4U-1 vrs P-51B report and FW190 vs F4U-1D report where it specifically points out the increase in F4U Performance with the Prop change. The Paddle prop blade type is 6501A-0. It did however remain a three blade prop until the F4U-4.

2. The HP increased in late F4U-1A's and F4U-1D from 2135HP to 2250HP. The engine remained the same but they got a little more out of it in later mods.

3. The F4U-1A is actually heavier than the F4U-1D with 100% fuel. They both had the same size main tank with 237 gallons fuel. However the -1/-1A had wing tanks so it carried roughly 30% more fuel. With the same fuel load they weight approximately the same depending on what source you read. But never by more than 175 lbs apart as long as the wing tanks are empty.

4. The F4U-1D is the only A/C in AH that is modeled with drag from external stores pylons and rocket stubs regardless if your carrying ordinance or not. Pyro and HT are aware of this. Pyro says that as long as it can be considered a "typical" combat condition that he will not change it. The speed differance at sea level is about 10MPH. In clean condition the F4U-1D top speed is 366MPH.

Overall I would say that the late model F4U-1A with 2250HP and a paddle blade prop would have been the best performing of the 3 blade Corsairs. Here is the performance of one compared the P-51B. It outclimbed the P-51B to 25K as well but I do not have the chart.

Notice the mention of the prop change in the first page.

 My webpage P-51B vrs F4U-1 and F4U-1A

[AcId]

No I'm not a p-47 guy  Used to fly the russion A/C alot but have since graduated to the F4U's a few tours back.

So, I think my questions have been answered then.....
If they do have the same engine, then why does the -1 climb slower?
They don't have the same engine....the -1D has 250 more horses and a paddle prop which enables it to climb better.

If the -1D has more horses to climb better how come it can't keep up with the -1?
It can't keep up because of all the extra dag caused by external stores pylons and rocket stubs. The -1 has a much cleaner airframe with less drag.

Thanks.

[Urchin]

He already answered your questions.  The F4U-1 has less horsepower, but less drag.  This enables to go a little tiny bit faster than the -1D.  The -1D has more horsepower and a better prop, so it climbs faster (and I would assume accelerates better), but more drag, so the top speed is lower.

[AcId]

Thanks for the help F4UDOA

I guess the pylons and such cause enough drag to counteract the extra 250 horsepower and paddle prop and then some?!?!? Those must be some huge pylons.....like big orange road pylons. It's still my opinion the -1D should be just as fast if not faster than the -1, but it's just that, an opinion, I've never flown either one in real life.

[F4UDOA]

NP Acid,

Urchin was exactly rightly right in his explanation of my explanation as well.

In any case if you go offline and look at the F4U-1D head on you can see the pylons that I am speaking about. They ar under the inner portion of the wing right by the fuselage(sp). The other rocket stubs are on the bottom of the outer wing. All American A/C used them F6F, P-51, P-47 etc. but the F4U is the only one to have them all of the time in AH, or at least the drag penalty. Other than that it probably would be faster that the F4U-1 at all alts.

But they do have the same exact engine designation.