Definately the F4U-1 or F4U-1A to preceed the F4U-1D. (Possibly even the F4U-1C)
The F4U-1A had the same horsepower as the F4U-1D, was slightly lighter with no outboard ordinance, and was THE definative Corsair of WWII (ie. VMF-214 'Blacksheep Squadron', VF-17 'Jolly Rogers', etc). It also had an extra brace on each side of the canopy unlike the later F4U-1D models.
The F4U-1 was the infamous 'birdcage' Corsair with its heavily reinforced canopy. It was slightly lighter but it also didn't have the water/methanol injection of the F4U-1A and later variants.
*I believe the F4U-1C is also a viable option for modeling. It flew in combat with VMF-311, VMF-441, VBF-8, VBF-85, VBF-99, and the infamous VF-84 (featured F4U-1D scheme in WB's) and possibly other squads also. Lt. Joe D. Robbins claimed 4 kills in one sortie in the F4U-1C while flying with VBF-8! Not one of the more numerous types of Corsair that fought in WWII but definately well bloodied.
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Windle
*Future Aces High VF-17 'Jolly Rogers' squadron 8X