World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
12 Dec 2015 11:39:51 AM

FIRST OF THE BREED:

Only one XF4U-1 prototype was built first flight was on May 29, 1940. The Corsair became the fist US fighter to exceed 400 mph. The design was modified moving the cockpit thirty-two inches further aft, to make way for a 237 gallon fuel tank located between the cockpit and engine
The new Corsair also carried two 63 gallon fuel tanks in the outer wing panels.

ARMOR & ARMAMENT:

Armor was added around the cockpit and vital arrears and was also equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks. The prototype carried 2 x .30 caliber machine guns mounted in the cowl and two .50 caliber machine guns in the wings.
Later the two cowl mounted guns were deleted and replaced with 6 x .50 caliber machine guns located in the wings. A total of 12,571 Corsairs were built between 1940 to 1953

2.  Bill says:
12 Dec 2015 12:40:05 PM

COLOR GALLERY:

Prototype of the XF4U-1 was painted silver on the fuselage, vertical tail and on the horizontal stabilizers. Wings were painted chrome yellow with pre-war markings in four positions on upper and bottom of wings blue disc, centered by a white star with red center dot.
Added markings US Navy on fuselage and 1443 with XF4U-1 on vertical tail in black back of propeller blades were painted black.