I'll give you a quick rule of thumb:
The F4U1D and 1C are your carrier planes, (the 4hog too if you really need it for quick action). These planes are much better suited for CV and close quarter fights. They also carry the most Ord. Also, the CHog is a great De-acker and great for attacking bases. The Dhog can get into action a bit quicker and with only 1 gas tank is a little lighter. Its better for close action fights off the CV.
The 1A and the F4u1 and of course the F4u4 are the best planes to fly over land from base to base. The 1A and -1 are better at high alts compared to the 1D and 1C. Although the Chog is nasty at high alts too. These are the planes you want to take the time to get the most alt and to BnZ with the most. Now they can all turn great, but the F4Us are really meant to fly BnZ style like the P51 and only meant to turn fight if you have to or want to have fun. Once the F4us get slow and low on the deck they become an easy target for the most part.
Vio, while some of your tips are good, some of this may be misleading.
First, your statement about "carrier planes" might have be misleading, because all of the F4U models are available from carriers. Perhaps you left the other models out because of your "best suited" assertion, but I would disagree with that.
In my opinion, the -1 or -1A are better suited if you expect to turn-fight, as they have the better turn performance, especially once flaps go out -- which is how you want to turn a Corsair. The -1A and the -1D have the same climb-rate, but the -1A is around 10 mph faster than the -1D at all alts. With the same fuel loadouts, the -1A has about 50% more operational time compared to the -1D, for a relatively small increase in weight. (This leads me to believe the -1A airframe itself is lighter, but I'll have to research that). The point of this difference in game is that the -1A can take 50% fuel for 22 min of flight time (for example) while the -1D requires 75% fuel for 22 min of flight time -- at which point they have the same weight. This extended flight time and speed is significant, in my opinion, as it gives you extra time you need to set and re-set your energy state. That is important with the F4U as it is not a great E-gainer. Neither plane is helpless low and slow, because of their excellent flaps-out performance, but as you said, F4U's don't regain energy very quickly, so even a small speed and flight-time advantage help in this regard.
My advice would be to treat the -1D as an attack aircraft that can be a very effective fighter, since as you (correctly) state, the -1D carries more ords. But once the flaps go out, the -1A should out-turn a -1D, so given the choice between fighting in a -1A or a -1D, I-d take the -1A for air-to-air combat. The perk plane Corsairs are a different story, with the -4 being one of the best (if not the best) performing piston-engine aircraft in the plane-set.
My two cents on Corsairs.
