The F4U Corsair is a carrier-based fighter which served primarily in the Pacific during World War II. It is considered one of the finest carrier-based fighters deployed by any navy. The F4U Corsair was designed by Chance Vought who originally manufactured it. It first flew in 1940 and was in production until 1952, making it the longest production run for a U.S. fighter. A total of 12,571 Corsairs were manufactured. The Corsair on display in the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon was built in 1952 for used by the French Navy and was in service until 1963.
According to the Museum:
“The most instantly recognizable feature of the Corsair is its inverted ‘gull wing’. Because of the distinctive sound made by air passing through the engine’s cooling ducts, the Japanese nicknamed it ‘Whistling Death.’”
The Corsair has a maximum speed of 446 mph and a range of 1,005 miles.
More from the Erickson Aircraft Collection
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman TBM-3E Avenger (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman J2F-6 Duck (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman FM2 Wildcat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Ag Cat (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Douglas A-26 Invader (photo diary)
Erickson Aircraft: Messerschmidt 109 (photo diary)