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General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: TnDep on June 08, 2010, 10:44:44 PM

Title: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: TnDep on June 08, 2010, 10:44:44 PM
In June 1938, the U.S. Navy signed a contract for a prototype, the XF4U-1, BuNo 1443. The Corsair was designed by Rex Beisel and the Vought design team. After mock-up inspection in February 1939, construction of the XF4U-1 powered by an XR-2800-4 engine, rated at 1,805 hp (1,346 kW) went ahead quickly. When the prototype was built it had the biggest and most powerful engine, largest propeller and probably the largest wing on any fighter in history. [9] The first flight of the XF4U-1 was made on 29 May 1940, with Lyman A. Bullard, Jr. at the controls. The maiden flight proceeded normally until a hurried landing was made when the elevator trim tabs failed because of flutter. [10] [11]

On October 1, the XF4U-1 made a flight from Stratford to Hartford with an average ground speed of 405 miles per hour (652 km/h), the first single-engine U.S. fighter to fly faster than 400 mph (640 km/h). [12] The XF4U-1 also had an excellent rate of climb. On the other hand, the testing of the XF4U-1 revealed some requirements would have to be rewritten. In full-power dive tests, speeds of up to 550 miles per hour (890 km/h) were achieved, not without damage to the control surfaces and access panels, and, in one case, an engine failure. [13] The spin recovery standards also had to be relaxed, as recovery from the required two-turn spin proved impossible without recourse to an anti-spin chute. [12] The problems clearly meant delays in getting the type into production.

Few problems noted above in the prototype but I want one so I can catch tempests  :D thought it was a cool find to share.



---------------------------------------------------------------
Also "Rowdy1" which is a pilot in Aces High uncle Bill Gise was a Maj. that lead the first corsair's into battle.

The Corsair, as mentioned, had begun its first combat deployment, to Guadalcanal, in early 1943. The first recorded combat engagement was on 14 February 1943, when Corsairs of Marine Squadron VMF-124 under Major William E. Gise assisted P-40 Warhawks and P-38 Lightnings in escorting B-24 Liberators on raids against the major Japanese base at Bougainville at the northwest corner of the Solomons. Japanese fighters contested the raid and the Americans got the worst of it, with four P-38s, two P-40s, two Corsairs, and two Liberators lost. No more than four Japanese Zeroes were destroyed. A Corsair was responsible for one of the "kills", but it wasn't anything to boast about, since it was due to a midair collision. The fiasco was referred to as the "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre".


Rowdy1 was named after his uncle as he died serving his country. 

<S> Maj. W. E. "Bill" Gise
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: mechanic on June 08, 2010, 10:52:07 PM
did the prototype have guns fitted during those tests? If so it was amazingly fast!
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: gyrene81 on June 08, 2010, 10:55:53 PM
No guns, ammo or cockpit armor.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: TnDep on June 08, 2010, 11:03:17 PM
Yes it did here's the details and the f4u-4 is under modeled here as well heres the details on it.

First Corsair Prototype w/guns
The US Navy ordered a prototype of the Vought design as the "XF4U-1" in June 1938. Armament was planned as two 7.62 millimeter (0.30 caliber) Browning machine guns in the top of the nose and a single 12.7 millimeter (0.50 caliber) Browning machine gun in each wing, for a total of four guns. The prototype also had little bombbays in the outer wings for fragmentation bombs that would be dumped on enemy bomber formations, with a window in the cockpit floor for sighting. The bombbays were a screwball idea that would be quickly abandoned.



The last major wartime production variant of the Corsair was the "F4U-4", which featured a P&W R-2800-18W Double Wasp with 1,567 kW (2,100 HP) takeoff power and water-methanol injection. The only visible differences from the F4U-1D were an inlet fitted in the lower lip of the cowling, giving the aircraft's nose a slightly different profile, and a four-bladed propeller. All following Corsair variants would retain the four-bladed propeller. The F4U-4's engine and propeller gave it a top speed of 718 KPH (446 MPH), about 48 KPH (30 MPH) faster than the F4U-1D. Armament was the same as for the F4U-1D, with six Brownings, stub pylons for eight HVARs, and the ability to carry two 450 kilogram (1,000 pound) bombs and a centerline drop tank.

Cannons on the f4u
297 F4U-4s were fitted with four M2 20 millimeter cannon instead of the six Brownings. Sources disagree on whether these machines were given the designation of "F4U-4B" or "F4U-4C"; "F4U-4B" is used in this document
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: TequilaChaser on June 08, 2010, 11:08:48 PM
Yes it did here's the details
First Corsair Prototype w/guns
The US Navy ordered a prototype of the Vought design as the "XF4U-1" in June 1938. Armament was planned as two 7.62 millimeter (0.30 caliber) Browning machine guns in the top of the nose and a single 12.7 millimeter (0.50 caliber) Browning machine gun in each wing, for a total of four guns.

fit that prototype with (6) .50 cal machineguns and ammo , as well as cockpit armor  and also wing tanks

and then you will see that it has the same speed as our AH F4U-1

 :aok
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: bj229r on June 08, 2010, 11:16:43 PM
Here's an F4u-5 I saw at Dayton last year! treMENDOUS roar as that engine fired up

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m248/bj229r/Dayton/DSC_0164.jpg)
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m248/bj229r/Dayton/DSC_0167.jpg)

That white thingie is the night vision pod
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: TnDep on June 08, 2010, 11:19:41 PM
fit that prototype with (6) .50 cal machineguns and ammo , as well as cockpit armor  and also wing tanks

and then you will see that it has the same speed as our AH F4U-1

 :aok

maybe.... but if you empty your guns, fuel 25% does it do 405mph ? I'll have to see tomorrow I got to go to bed.  This isn't ment as an under modeled thread ect. just shareing some cool information.  

wow didn't even know there was an f4u-5  :x I'll look it up tomorrow some cool pictures
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Baumer on June 08, 2010, 11:25:16 PM
XF4U-1 vs F4U-1, notice anything different besides all the things previously mentioned?

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/XF4U-1_NACA_1940.jpeg)

vs.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/F4U-1_NACA_1943.jpeg)
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: mechanic on June 08, 2010, 11:37:26 PM
Xf4u is missing the tail hook and different tail wheel assembly. Xf4u has a probe on the right wing. F4u has additional windows for rear quarter views. All i could spot at a glance.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Baumer on June 09, 2010, 12:07:27 AM
Here's a hint look at the location of the cockpit.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Kermit de frog on June 09, 2010, 12:14:10 AM
Here's a hint look at the location of the cockpit.


Prototype had a smaller engine?
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Digr1 on June 09, 2010, 12:15:28 AM
shame that plane was grounded fron CV use 4 times,till the brits showed us ho to use the
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: 2bighorn on June 09, 2010, 12:20:25 AM
fit that prototype with (6) .50 cal machineguns and ammo , as well as cockpit armor  and also wing tanks
and then you will see that it has the same speed as our AH F4U-1

AH F4U-1 is faster. It's also much heavier...

Vought's is even faster:
http://www.voughtaircraft.com/heritage/products/html/f4u.html


XF4U-1 vs F4U-1, notice anything different besides all the things previously mentioned?

Very obvious: fuselage is longer, cockpit is further back

According to wiki:
    * Six .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning AN/M2 machine guns were fitted in the outer wing panels, displacing fuel tanks.
    * An enlarged 237 gal (897 l) fuel tank was fitted ahead of the cockpit, in place of the fuselage armament. The cockpit was moved back by 32 in (810 mm).
    * The fuselage was lengthened from 31 feet 11 inches (9.73 m) to 33 feet 4 inches (10.16 m).
    * The more powerful R-2800-8 Double Wasp was fitted.
    * 150 pounds (68 kg) of armor plate was fitted to the cockpit and a 1.5 in (38 mm) bullet-resistant glass screen was fitted behind the curved windscreen.
    * IFF transponder equipment was fitted.
    * Curved transparent panels were incorporated into the fuselage behind the pilot's headrest.
    * The flaps were changed from deflector type to NACA slotted.
    * The span of the ailerons was increased while that of the flaps was decreased.
    * One 62 gal (234 l) non-self-sealing auxiliary fuel cell was installed in each wing leading edge, just outboard of the guns.

Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Krusty on June 09, 2010, 01:45:22 AM
Saying the F4u4 is underpowered is only part of it.


"As compared to what?"

The F4u-4 was mostly a post-war plane, and most of the post-war variants that served in Korea and as export planes for foreign nations had cannons.

F4u4s in WW2 did not.

Also, if you're saying it's underpowered in the engine department, again take a look at the extensive post-war career this plane had. You may be mixing up Korean power settings with WW2 power settings, or Soccer War power settings, etc.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: uptown on June 09, 2010, 01:45:43 AM
maybe.... but if you empty your guns, fuel 25% does it do 405mph ?
you have to figure in the weight of the guns and feed belt. emptying your guns only gets rid of the weight of the ammo. Then add the armor weight too.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Krusty on June 09, 2010, 01:51:37 AM
Don't forget most ammo bays were lightly armored as well, so that a lucky round would not damage your guns or ammo belts.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Saxman on June 09, 2010, 08:09:49 AM
shame that plane was grounded fron CV use 4 times,till the brits showed us ho to use the

Actually, now, we didn't need the Brits to "show" us anything. VF-17 proved the Corsair could safely operate off the carriers during combat operations as early as 1943. Keeping them land-based largely became a logistical decision of not having to keep the carriers supplied with spare parts for F4Us in addition to what they carried for the Hellcats.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: TnDep on June 09, 2010, 08:47:11 AM
Saying the F4u4 is underpowered is only part of it.


"As compared to what?"

The F4u-4 was mostly a post-war plane, and most of the post-war variants that served in Korea and as export planes for foreign nations had cannons.

F4u4s in WW2 did not.

Also, if you're saying it's underpowered in the engine department, again take a look at the extensive post-war career this plane had. You may be mixing up Korean power settings with WW2 power settings, or Soccer War power settings, etc.

I'm just saying that the f4u-4 was rated at 446 mph on the deck and it does more then 50mph less then that in the game
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Saxman on June 09, 2010, 08:58:31 AM
Quote
he last major wartime production variant of the Corsair was the "F4U-4", which featured a P&W R-2800-18W Double Wasp with 1,567 kW (2,100 HP) takeoff power and water-methanol injection. The only visible differences from the F4U-1D were an inlet fitted in the lower lip of the cowling, giving the aircraft's nose a slightly different profile, and a four-bladed propeller. All following Corsair variants would retain the four-bladed propeller. The F4U-4's engine and propeller gave it a top speed of 718 KPH (446 MPH), about 48 KPH (30 MPH) faster than the F4U-1D.

Where does it say this is deck speed? The -4 most certainly hits 446mph at its best altitude. Actually, she exceeds 450 at about 26,000ft.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: RTHolmes on June 09, 2010, 12:16:27 PM
No guns, ammo or cockpit armor.

I wouldnt mind coming up against one of these variants with a red icon over it, I say add it!

 +1 :D
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: 2bighorn on June 09, 2010, 01:14:38 PM
I'm just saying that the f4u-4 was rated at 446 mph on the deck and it does more then 50mph less then that in the game

You're confusing ground speed with speed on deck. Just because article says prototype achieved "an average ground speed of 405 mph" doesn't mean it could fly that fast on the deck. It just means it was measured on the ground. Same mistake is on Vought's website.

Ground speed = true airspeed - + wind speed

It doesn't say at which altitude, but it probably was around it's best.

Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: TnDep on June 09, 2010, 01:47:38 PM
Where does it say this is deck speed? The -4 most certainly hits 446mph at its best altitude. Actually, she exceeds 450 at about 26,000ft.

Your right - that 446mph was at 26,200 ft.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Stoney on June 09, 2010, 02:53:08 PM
XF4U-1 vs F4U-1, notice anything different besides all the things previously mentioned?

I couldn't because your enormous pictures broke the Aces High Forum...   :)
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Baumer on June 09, 2010, 04:11:36 PM
LOL There not my photo's officer, I just linked to them. Besides, somethings are better in high definition.  ;)

BTW, I thought you would have noticed whats in the background of the F4U-1 photo?
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Saxman on June 09, 2010, 04:50:32 PM

BTW, I thought you would have noticed whats in the background of the F4U-1 photo?

How could anyone notice something that fat and ugly next to the graceful lines of gull wings? ;)

That picture's a GREAT reference for the F4U's fabric wing surfaces, too. The prominent ribs you see on so many skins--and plastic models, for that matter--just doesn't exist.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Stoney on June 09, 2010, 05:38:43 PM
BTW, I thought you would have noticed whats in the background of the F4U-1 photo?

Ah yes, that elegantly-shaped oval cowl can only mean one thing--sweet perfection.

Any idea where that picture was taken?
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: 2bighorn on June 09, 2010, 06:02:16 PM
Any idea where that picture was taken?

Langley Research Center, Hampton Va, 31 July 1943
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Infidelz on June 09, 2010, 07:46:30 PM
I'm just saying that the f4u-4 was rated at 446 mph on the deck and it does more then 50mph less then that in the game

I recall being chased by a mustang in a -4. Long chase on the deck from one base to another. As I arrived I seem to remember that my airspeed was 405. I couldn't believe it. The prop pitch was fully feathered and I may have been using WEP.

Infidelz
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Sombra on June 09, 2010, 09:06:41 PM

wow didn't even know there was an f4u-5  :x I'll look it up tomorrow some cool pictures

Here is an interesting, critic article. No pics though.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3897/is_199904/ai_n8835511/?tag=content;col1
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Buzzard7 on June 09, 2010, 09:48:54 PM
Here's an F4u-5 I saw at Dayton last year! treMENDOUS roar as that engine fired up

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m248/bj229r/Dayton/DSC_0164.jpg)
(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m248/bj229r/Dayton/DSC_0167.jpg)

That white thingie is the night vision pod

The white thingy on the wing is RADAR. That would make it the F4U-5NL.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Baumer on June 10, 2010, 12:46:04 AM
And if you want to get ultra-picky, the RADAR makes it an (N), the winterizing equipment makes it an (L). Here's a better picture where you can see the wing and tail deicing boots. I believe the L would also have an alcohol system for deicing the windscreen.

(http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/5/2/1429254.jpg)
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Stoney on June 10, 2010, 05:42:33 AM
And if you want to get ultra-picky, the RADAR makes it an (N), the winterizing equipment makes it an (L). Here's a better picture where you can see the wing and tail deicing boots. I believe the L would also have an alcohol system for deicing the windscreen.

(http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/4/5/2/1429254.jpg)

Great picture there--potential wallpaper variety.
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: bj229r on June 10, 2010, 09:17:18 AM
Nice, I think that's the same one I saw in Dayton last year
Title: Re: Corsair documented average ground speed 405mph
Post by: Raptor on June 10, 2010, 09:36:01 AM
XP38 was the first Military design to fly faster than 400mph if I recall correctly.

Then the military made specification changes, added military equipment and you get the P38F down the line.