I fly the F4U-4 frequently. It's a very capable aircraft. I did some offline acceleration tests and it ranked up with the best.
I set up with every fighter taking off with 50% fuel, fuel burn set at .001. After taking off, I leveled off at 300 feet, adjusted throttle until speed was stable at 200 mph. I then went to full power with WEP (where available) and recorded the time needed to reach 300 mph. Results as follows rounded up to next second increment.
1) Tempest: 25 seconds
2) La-7: 26 seconds
3) Spitfire XIV: 28 seconds
4) (tie) F4U-4: 31 seconds
5) (tie) Bf 109G-10: 31 seconds
6) Fw 190D-9: 33 seconds
7) (tie) P-38L: 36 seconds
8) (tie) Yak-9U: 36 seconds
9) (tie) Typhoon: 36 seconds
10) P-51D: 37 seconds
11) Ta 152H: 41 seconds
12) F4U-1: 44 seconds
13) P-47D-30: 50 seconds
14) N1K2-J: 56 seconds
15) Ki-61: 82 seconds
Based upon this testing, the F4U-4 demonstrates the ability to hang with the fastest fighters in the game, especially low level and at medium speeds, where much of he combat takes place.
At high altitude the F4U-4 really shines. Yet, in my opinion, the best fighter in the game is the Spitfire XIV. It can out-climb, and out-turn the Tempest at any altitude. Up high, it's considerably faster as well. I tend to think that a Tempest driver's worst nightmare is to discover a Spit XIV above him.
Also, get rid of the perk tags for all perked fighters.
My regards,
Widewing
