F4U Corsair Design Features

In this video, I try to answer a lot of questions about the F4U Corsair. Why is the nose so long? Why doesn't it explode when it's hit in its NON self sealing fuel tanks? Why is the vertical stabilizer so far forward of the horizontal? What are the real reasons for the inverted gull wings? What the heck is Dural? and much more.
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After the end of the video, there is about 1 min of black screen and static, it's not a Ferris Bueller moment, just exit.
This video is a bit different than my usual format. There are minimal discussions of engine related systems, and minimal references to NACA. Furthermore, allow myself to go off on several tangents, two of which are not technical at all, the British Pacific Fleet, and the Football War. Please let me know what you think of the video in the comment section.

[@monsieurcommissaire1628]

Thank you for mentioning the A-26. My dad, rest his soul, was in the Air Force and fought in Korea. The A-26 was his ride. I had no idea what a hot-rod of an aircraft it was until we went to the Lyon Air Museum (An outstanding museum focused on WWII-era military aircraft, with many airworthy planes, with some very interesting period automobiles as well. It's located in Orange County, California, near John Wayne Airport.) to see their airworthy example take to the air. It was in black nightime livery, and a brief moment looking up through the hatch into that little tube with wings gave me even more respect for those brave souls who went up in them. The R2800 became my favourite engine of all time due to this visit; there was one on display and I could get close enough to see the very, very, fine work that P & W is known for. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. I was amazed at how compact it was, considering the cubic volune and horsepower. It was also an example of pure, metalworking art. It's one of those engines, like the Colombo V12, Cosworth DFV, Bugatti, Alfa~Romeo, and Lycoming/Duesenberg straight-8s (too many more to mention) that, aside from their awesome function, have real artistic merit. Just magnificent. I could've stared at it for hours. Okay, I've been blathering on long enough. Thanks for your excellent work, including your wonderful narration.

[@fritzmaurer3679]

My grandfather was a german immigrant coming to this country in 1927. He was the foreman of the experimental department at Chance Vought in Stratford CT that worked on the development of the Corsair. He had a number of stories about this aircraft. He was proud of the work. Thanks for sharing.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I'm proud of his work as well. The Corsair was an engineering marvel.

[@TydalWind]

My father was a lead design engineer on this project, and he's the one that told me about the fact that they had originally designed it with the wing sticking straight out perpendicular to the fuselage, but, when they did the calculations for the propeller/engine combo, the propeller would go into the ground when the craft leveled off at takeoff. Since the optimal angle for the wing to attach to the fuselage was 90degrees, they rotated the wing down and then curved it up to provide the necessary dihedral. He mentioned that it was quite the task to make all the flaps, control linkages, landing gear and weaponry work right, and still be able to fold the wings. In fact, I have one of the original photos of the prototype flying over Stratford (CT) that hung in our vacation home.

[@blogman8712]

TydalWind ... That makes perfect sense as, and as you will know, all pilots of tail draggers are taught to be very careful when dipping the nose on the take off run up in order to lift the tail wheel.

[@deanwilliams4365]

Quite correct, however the change came about with the introduction of a supper charger. this required the motor to be pushed forward and the cockpit to be pushed back. and bigger paddles / dia no so much for the increased power but for the increased altitude now usable because of the supercharger.

[@cf6282]

TydalWind Thank you for sharing. The Corsair has been one of my favorite WWII aircraft. The wing position story is exactly what I read in a book on the Corsair. Always wondered how the folding mechanism was done. How it was locked and how they still made ailerons and flaps etc. Work.

[@bergssprangare]

YT is fantastic..Thanks for the info..

[@davidelliott5843]

Late model Spitfires running the 37 litre 2400 bhp Griffon engine didn't have the chance for a wing redesign. Instead they had smaller diameter counter-rotating propellers.

[@veritasvincit2745]

Great video, Greg. My grandad was a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm rigger stationed in the (then) Ceylon but mostly at HMS Garuda in India where he worked on Corsairs. This was a repair yard and all kinds of machinery passed through. He enjoyed working on Wildcats (he never referred to them as Martlets) but his favourite was always the Corsair.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks for that comment. I always wondered if the actually referred to them as Wildcats for Martlets.

[@MilitaryHistoryVisualized]

thank you for the praise!!!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

You're welcome. You and Bismark have two of the best channels on youtube that deal with military subject matter, especially in regards to WW2. Keep up the good work.

[@philiphughes9899]

He's right- do a video on British carriers in the pacific!

[@AkX1353]

Military History Visualized. I just watched your Midway Video. Very impressive.

[@johnd2058]

Yes, clearly there's not enough info about UN (as they were called by the time) partners in the later years of the Pacific War! I knew the RN was in there at the start, and the ANZACs were big in defending their neighbors from the "Greater East Asian [death] Sphere [of doom]", but, like nada in '44 and '45.

[@rvail136]

MHV you do a fantastic job of putting out esoteric information that most non-historian types would never have access to. Thanks for all the work you do for the rest of us

[@brianaustin8989]

Love your videos, Greg, very informative. It was nice to see the Brits getting a mention in regard to the Pacific war. I give talks locally on The Forgotten Flyers of Task Force 57 (British Pacific Fleet) It was Captain Eric Winkle Brown who perfected the curved approach you related on in the video. We were desperate for decent carrier fighter or the fleet, as the likes of the Seafire, were just not robust enough for carrier operation plus lacked the rang, needed for use at sea. Eric Brown is famous as to having carried out the most deck landings of any pilot, some 2,400 in all. He was charged with finding out a way to use the F4u on our carriers, as it's potential was there for all to see. The British carriers had smaller hangars space than the US ones, due to the armoured flight decks, which resulted in the wing tips on the Corsairs, being clipped, by I think approx. 6 inches, so as they fitted into the hangar when folded. They claimed it had a minimal effect on the performance There was a problem as well on the oleo's on the undercarriage, having to be suppressed to avoid rebounding and throwing the aircraft over the side. The curved approach, also led to another problem of the port wing stalling, being the inboard wing in the turn. This led to a spoiler being fitted outboard of the starboard wing guns, to equalize out the wing dropping in the turn. Can be seen on some photo's, showing the wing from the front. Great read on the Corsair with the B P F, is " Carrier Pilot" by Ken Hanson.

[@LaminarSound]

Glad you mentioned the A26. Love those. The B26 variant was used in the film Always as a firefighting "bomber". I got to sit inside the exact one flown in the film about 5 years ago. So cool.

[@icewaterslim7260]

My dad had the privilege of crewing as gunner on one of the few, if not the only one, not grounded in the Pacific until the surrender. During the occupation they'd ferry A20s to Formosa and A26s back to Osaka. He loved the speed which was hard to catch from behind. I guess some of the A20 pilots said visibility was hindered by the wider nose of the Invader interfering with something . . . I'm guessing skip bombing as I don't see how parafrag passes would be affected. Maybe just running on the deck in general might be affected.

[@terryvanicelli267]

Your insights are amazing! This is the first I ever heard about using the landing gear as dive brakes. Ditto for the aluminum alloy armor. I'd like to also compliment you on your narrative style. It's tops. The Wildcat is my sentimental favorite WWII fighter (Under-rated Underdog), but the F4U was probably the best all-around combat plane to serve in numbers during the Hitler War.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks. I did make a two part video about the Wildcat, you may like it.

[@jacktattis143]

Terry hardly any USN planes in the West

[@garyhooper1820]

Royal navy flew thousends of USN air craft . Over Norway ,and the Mediterranean .

[@paulnutter1713]

Forgot to mention the fleet air arm corsairs introduced a seat that could be raised for landing. Manually operated as Lucas are still working on the electric version.

[@densealloy]

Excellent and you touched on the A-26! (Under rated for sure, served into Nam in the USA). Thank you, Sir.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I love the A26, and it was easy to fit it into the video because of the Dural connection. I know it cause a tangent with the whole prop feathering discussion, but I felt it was worth including.

[@cowboybob7093]

Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles - Good range of points, from elementary to esoteric. Apologize all you want but you don't need to! Your vocal delivery is strong enough you may want to contact an agency, often they contract for business videos.

[@iskandartaib]

I seem to recall it was involved with the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. This was 1961 - 16 years after WWII.

[@BikingVikingHH]

Cowboy Bob I agree I listen to his videos in bed, it’s so calming I fall asleep and dream about tech features on wwii airplanes lol

[@dominicviner6619]

Yeah I see what you mean but at the same time I feel he was fair. It served well. I love all aircraft and it come to the pilot but some planes are worse then others

[@dewiz9596]

Sir, you can go off-topic that way anytime. Very informative!

[@daveseniw2380]

Please don't apologize for occasions when you "get off topic". When you make connections to related design choices, other aircraft, and realities of how they interact, your videos become even more interesting. Many videos by others are about one thing almost in isolation of the world around them. Tying things together explains a bit of the bigger picture, and why something works in one situation, but not in another. This is a great series getting into the science and engineering of design choices. Please "drift about" more often.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Good point Dave, I'll do that more in the future. This video was actually the most fun one to make because I just took whatever liberties I felt like while making it.

[@rayschoch5882]

An excellent treatment, Greg. My dad flew a combat tour in the Pacific in 1944 in F6Fs on the Lexington with VF-19, than trained for 9 months in the F4U-4, including a shakedown cruise with VBF-150 aboard the Lake Champlain, until the end of the war. He was the engineering officer with both squadrons, as he had a mechanical engineering degree from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. It takes math skills I don't have to be an engineer, but I you manage to make the technical issues understandable for the rest of us, and I enjoy the asides, including the A-26.

[@cannonfodder4376]

Even more stuff about the F4U I never knew about, was nice to have the inverted gull wing cleared up for me too. Never knew all the thinking that went into it. Good and informative as always.

[@geoffdearth8575]

Not all knowledge is of recent vintage.

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for sharing. In the late 1940s my family lived just south of the runway used by Chance Vought, the manufacturer of the F4U Corsair. I was preschool at the time but found it thrilling to watch these magnificent aircraft during takeoff and landing.

[@brudenell27]

I didn’t realise we (British) had a fleet and involvement in the Pacific in that capacity. Every days a school day, thank you for the new knowledge and more I can research and learn about.

[@jimattrill8933]

I think the RN and the FAA will give you a medal for setting the record straight for once!

[@peddler931]

A Canadian naval aviator, Robert Hampton-Gray won a Victoria Cross flying a Corsair from a British carrier, sinking a destroyer under heavy fire.

[@jacktattis143]

Carl: They also had an Army in Burma

[@caseyjongko7475]

I too pretty much left the wing design up to clearance.. but the techie inside me was screaming there’s GOT to be more THERE! Thank you for explaining and expanding! After spending five months in England over ‘18 & ‘19 I was amazed to see my beloved Corsair with RAF markings! Thanks for covering a bit of its history w. the Brits in the Pacific! This discovery REALLY meant ALOT to me.. as I was in England supporting yet another colonies based aero platform donning her Majesty’s RAF markings once again... :) Peace!

[@bucyruserie1211]

Hi Greg, I thought I would just leave a short comment on the great job you did researching this plane.. It seems more and more people just watch video's without ever leaving a comment or even a thumbs up.. I'm not really into planes, but did enjoy the information and the way you put it all together.. Thanks, Tom

[@johngalt2506]

When i was a youngster, about 19, i was an EMT working on a BLS Ambulance in Southern California. One call was a basic transport from a convalescent home in south orange county to a residence in north Los Angeles. As we got underway i began chatting with the patient. Turns out he was a marine corps fighter pilot from WW2 and he flew a F4U. What a great conversation I'll never forget.

[@claudedornier9858]

Learnt so much from Greg about the corsair in this video , and from his other highly educational videos about aviation engineering.and all done in a very easy to understand conversational way . Oh Greg! if I only had teachers like you at school my life would have been so different . Very much appreciated Greg ! your videos are just superb and finest videos out there. I cant say thank you enough !!!

[@giorgiotoso1039]

Greg, Thank you so much for putting together all this fantastic videos. Your technical knowledge is amazing, and it does show that you are a professional pilot, and probably engineer. You have a talent for explaining very complex things in such a way as to make them as understandable as possible to non technically-inclined people. As for myself, I am an avid flying model builder, and amateur historian. Bad eyes prevented me to fly as a pilot, so my only link to aviation history is my great uncle Cap. Pilota Luigi Boer, who died in 1931, on a Savoia Marchetti S.55 seaplane, during the South Atlantic crossing by the Italian air force. I also like your sense of humor: "...the remaining engine will only carry the plane to the crash site..." How true!!! Please don't stop doing what your are doing, and a most sincere thank you for your efforts!

[@ridermak4111]

You are an aero-knowledge junkie with a skillfully pleasant knack for sharing. Videos in this genre sometimes bore me so much I can’t continue watching. Keep ‘em coming. 👍

[@nikolatasev4948]

Every time you meet a complex side topic you want to extend and explain it so the main topic is understood better... including the soccer/football! I love it! This is exactly the way I read wikipedia, branching from topic to topic. Having it all in a single video is very cool!

[@Tuck-Shop]

"Will only fly as far as the crash site" is my new favourite quote.

[@petesheppard1709]

I just rewatched it; a very fascinating refresher. One thing I caught this time: The Bearcat's main gear also had a double-fold feature to get the length required for prop clearance. A small part near the attach point folded outboard, so the main struts and tires would clear each other when they folded into the gear wells..

[@PigEqualsBakon]

Great video as usual. Love the corsair, up in my top 5 favourite WWII planes. What a looker! Cant wait for that R2800 video. That engine was used in so widespread throughout the war.

[@thomaspinney4020]

I love it when Greg goes 'off topic'. He covers lots of interesting stuff on his digressions

[@roscothefirst4712]

Lol...21.31 ...warm beer and Lucas electronics...never change Greg 👍🦖

[@bobdyer422]

Very informative and very entertaining through out the vid. You offer no bias against any other AC, just getting out the facts. Always a pleasure to watch, listen and learn. Thanks!

[@Cheka__]

Excellent video. I love the Corsair. She's a beautiful bird.

[@TheDDRED]

Another great video My wife is from England, We live in Dallas where I am from, Her Dad was in WWII the entire war and had nothing but praise for the British Corsairs being used on their carriers they could haul a heavier Bomb load and yet not lose much speed . He claimed the British used the Corsairs in Both WWII and Korea much more extensively to their full capability, I tend to believe him, but then again to his chagrin I used to beat him at darts, which the British always pat themselves on the back twice before they ever throw them, LOL. I miss him he was such great conversations of technical info and how they used the equipment on subjects like this in a pub over a pint of bitter. Thanks again for the great video.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks DDRED. Something you might find interesting, the propeller from the Lusitania is in Dallas at a hotel. Quite a surprising piece of British nautical history to find at a hotel in Dallas.

[@jimattrill8933]

I don't think the British used Corsairs or Hellcats in Korea. The aircraft were pushed over the side in 1945 at the end of Lend Lease. They were both replaced by the Sea Fury.

[@julianneale6128]

Yet again, another fantastic video. Please don't stop doing them in a hurry, as I for one find what you talk about extremely facinating. You seem to have cornered a niche in the market, because your talks are unique... One thing I'd like to mention is that I'm pretty sure that all developed countries of the time used duraluminium within the constitution of aircraft. Many high strength parts such as propeller blades and wing spars to mention just two...

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Hi Julian, thanks. I suspect most countries used it, as I said in the video it wasn't a secret, although the Japanese had another type of aluminum that was a secret. As far as using it for armor, I think that was pretty rare. I don't know of any non US planes that did that, but it wouldn't surprise me if some German planes had it.

[@anitamiller6175]

Great video. I've been a WWII buff (especially aviation) for as long as I can remember, and still learned a lot from you

[@aaronbuckmaster7063]

Thanks for the video. That is my all time favorite war bird. Most people’s favorite is the Mustang, but mine is the Corsair.

[@gideonokun5538]

What a great picture at 16:50! The angle and image quality makes the Bearcat look almost identical to the Hellcat (apart from the canopy). Never realised just how similar their form is. Same goes for the Helldiver and Avenger, though the differences are way more obvious.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I actually looked at that for a long time myself before noticing that was a Bearcat back there. It worked out in my favor because I was able to mention its telescoping gear without it being forced or out of place.

[@clayz1]

That was a great video. So are the techy ones of course, but the Corsair story deserves to me told. Thanks.

[@geoben1810]

I had no idea until now, that the British had carriers at sea in WWll. Obviously the British participated considerably more than I'm sure most people would know. As a proud U.S. NAVY veteran, I salute all the Naval Aviators and crew of both U.S. and Allied Forces of WWll. Couldn't have done it without them! Thanks for the vid! 👍😉🇺🇸

[@spindash64]

13:30 I’ve heard that one of the things that made the P-51 such an icon was actually just that the cockpit was layed out in a way that made sense, and that it was much roomier than most. I’m assuming that the roominess was necessary for those long flights Also, more in line with the video, given how much more vulnerable to damage at high speed the gear is on most planes, I would imagine that the sturdiness of the gear was designed in part to also allow them to be used as airbrakes. And you can’t use the gear as airbrakes if they are fragile, which telescopic gear would probably be

[@johndonaldson3619]

Greg, every sentence you utter is 100% entertaining and informative!...100 PERCENT!!!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks!

[@FarmerTed]

Greg, great job as always. Love the reference of Lucas electric aka the prince of darkness

[@pops9190]

To the King of aviation fanaticism: I am an aviator and a lifelong aviation enthusiast since childhood with, every single conceivable World War II aircraft hanging from my childhood ceiling. Your channel is hands-down the best thing I've ever come across, I have learn more stuff the last handful of months then the last 30 years. Love your delivery and how you grind deeply into technical details. I plugged in a bunch of my friends to your channel too so thank you very much for all your efforts. Just never forget, There's no place like cloud base!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks POPS, I really appreciate that.

[@dougball328]

In all your discussions about gear length, I did not hear you mention the obvious reason for wanting the gear as short as possible - weight. The landing gear is the second heaviest item on most airplanes right behind the engine(s). Very informative video. Thank you.

[@vincentperiolat4610]

Enjoyed very much, thank you for keeping it understandable. The short deviations only added to the experience, in my opinion, so you know.

[@barryervin8536]

Great video. I was hoping you'd mention that all Corsairs up until the F4U-5 in 1945 had fabric covered outer wing panels, and they all had fabric covered control surfaces except for some Goodyear built planes with metal ailerons. Nobody ever believes me about the fabric wings, because all but one of the Corsairs flying today have had the wings metalized. The one in the Planes of Fame museum is the only exception.

[@randykelso4079]

I believe it was in the early seventies when Paul Thayer, President of LTV (Ling-Temco-Vought, successor to Chance Vought Corporation which produced the F4U aircraft) enjoyed flying the company's restored F4U (he was a WW2 ace) but during one hop an oil line broke and he had to dead-stick the aircraft into a field, going through a barbed wire fence in the process. The airplane was returned to the plant for repairs but nobody knew how to repair the fabric covered control surfaces, so some Vought retirees were contacted and they did the job.

[@barryervin8536]

@@randykelso4079 Actually, fabric covered control surfaces were common all through WW2, with a few exceptions. Even most planes designed during the war, like the P-61 and even the B-29, had fabric covered tail surfaces. But the Corsair's fabric covered outer wing panels were an anachronism already at the start of the war. It seems strange to me that fabric covering persisted for so long, but I guess the idea was that it worked so why slow down the assembly line to make changes.

[@derin111]

Great video and your narrative style is really clear and enjoyable. One small point regarding your foray into matters off-topic to the main subject of this video... Whilst the word "Soccer" (as is also the game itself) technically of 19th Century British origin, it is not 'the' British word for Association Football. This word is almost never heard or used here in Britain in relation to this sport and is thought of as much more of an Americanism or American term for said sport. Here in Britain we call it "Football"...as does most of the rest of the world. We tend to differentiate other forms by prefixes such: "American Football", "Aussie Rules Football", even "Rugby Football" occasionally although simply "Rugby" followed by "Union" or "League" to differentiate the two major forms is most common. Here in the UK the word "Soccer" tends to conjure up images of American mothers collecting their children from an after-school, ball-based game, played on a flat surface and not Association Football as we know it. Great channel and subscribed!

[@bencollins4740]

Excellent anecdotes and inside knowledge, especially the wings, thanks. It is always interesting when you take stuff apart to identify the "why" of all the features that exist, whether on a bicycle bell or whatever.

[@jacksparrow6218]

That was pretty cool about the curved approach when landing on carriers.

[@skipallen1482]

Great video, thoroughly researched. Just a note that the skin is all aluminum and welded together. This add strength and were then able to reduce the number of spars, which reduce weight.

[@cf6282]

Greg, you mentioned the soccer war. You coincidently showed the world famous Dutch Soccer player Johan Cruijff in a match for the Dutch National Team against the German National Team. Must be the seventies. The Dutch and the Germans have a long lastig rivalry with great soccer on both sides. Thank you for the video on the Corsair it has been one of my favorite WWII aircraft.

[@PaulLMF]

Greg, a terrific video as always. You have an easy way of describing technical information which makes it very accessible and enjoyable. Additionally, this video's detours were really worthwhile and added tons of context. I had no idea of the later war RN Pacific fleet role, it's extensive use of Corsairs, nor the football war!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks Paul. That's nice to hear. I was concerned that I would start losing people when I diverged into the A26 and prop feathering. When the analytics from this video come in, I'll see if people started exiting at that point. Not that I am going to change the way I do things based on analytics, I am just curious about it.

[@jack-n-the-bots2926]

Very well done, Greg! All of your videos make very sensible points that have not been addressed by mainstream historians who continuously analyse the same old tired stuff. The statistical comparisons discussed endlessly over the last decades are really of little value to anyone. Your assessments and reasoning make good common sense use of the aerodynamic and engine differences and this is where the true comparisons can be made to fill gaps and dispel myths. When a so called expert says no Allison powered P-40 had a supercharger in a generic docu filmed in 15 minutes that only mentions the Flying Tigers and Tuskegee airmen, its time for a change. Thank you for bringing the real facts into the equation.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks Jack, I am trying to do something different here, not just put out the same information that's on the other channels.

[@jack-n-the-bots2926]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles You're doing a fantastic job so keep it coming!

[@dapsapsrp]

Your wandering off topic is always welcome, informative and worthwhile. I learn something interesting from every video.

[@Chief-Solarize]

For the last 30 or so yrs my favorite Ww2 bird was a Mustang. In the past yr the F4 Corsair has really made an impression on me and I think I have a new fav.

[@michaelmartinez1345]

Very cool informational vifeo!!! I liked the explanation of why the cockpit was mounted so far aft, why the wings had the 'bent' design, and why the vert. stab. was mounted so far forward... The British finding a way to make carrier landings work with the unique long nose of this plane, the mention of aluminum that used copper as an alloying element (2024 T-3) for structure and armor for light/deflecting hits... Xlnt photos & videos of several plane types also!!! A very interesting explanation / mention of the last aerial battle these plane types had...Keep up the good work

[@friscokid66]

As a kid I used to collect WWII airplane models. No doubt Corsair's design stuck out to me even as kid. All I knew was that those bent wings meant it was bad ass of a fighter with a purpose.

[@Galland_]

21:08 From left to right: Gerd Müller, Berti Vogts, Johan Cruyff, Uli Hoeness. I'll see myself out..

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I am honestly really impressed that you know that. Then again, I have no idea if you are correct, but I'll take your word for it.

[@galier2]

He's correct. It's a photo from the World Cup finale 1974 in Germany. Won by Germany 2 to 1 against the Netherlands.

[@Galland_]

Likely the only time i'll ever get the chance to know more than Greg about something in his videos..

[@martijn9568]

@@galier2 When the Netherlands was good at football (soccer)....:(

[@jfan4reva]

The explanation I heard for the word 'soccer' was that English school boys came up with it. Rugby players were called 'Ruggers'. AsSOCiation football players were called 'Soccers'.

[@petesheppard1709]

A most excellent video! I've been a Corsair fan from by childhood in the '60s, but you presented much that I did not know. Thanks!

[@Name-ps9fx]

Great video, good to know more about the gull wing! Interesting about the soccer “war”, that the Corsair could out-turn the P-51. I fly in DCS, and the 51 is already available and the Corsair is very near to being released. That would definitely be a must watch YT video, not just 1v1, but also 2v2 and 2v3!

[@olivialambert4124]

My favourite Naval channel, Drachinifel covers the British fleet in the Pacific extremely well, with multiple videos going into the subject. As a Brit myself I actually learnt of our involvement at all from that channel, and it sounds like we did exceptionally well. He is a little like this channel, super in depth and very knowledgable about the subject matter but presented in a serious way which doesn't attract the ADHD children the site is plagued with. Like this channel he has long been deserving of more subscribers, and like this channel it feels like he is right on the cusp of exploding in popularity. It was only a few months ago you were both below 10k and things seem to be changing quite rapidly so there is certainly more demand for this than myself.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Hi Olivia. His channel is far bigger, over twice as many subscribers, and a lot more videos. I come out with a new video about once a month, sometimes twice. He puts them out at two or three times that rate. Once I retire from airline flying, I'll be able to do that, but that won't be for 12 years (hopefully). I have watched about a dozen of his videos. They are excellent. I don't get into ships much here. I think I have only done it twice, once on the Corsair video, and once when I went into the history of the Combat Information Center when I was onboard a USN WW2 destroyer. However that vid isn't public. If you want to see it, I'll post it here for 24 hours. My favorite ship guy is Justin, who is a frequent guest on MHV and MAH. However I don't think he has is own channel.

[@olivialambert4124]

Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles I mean youtube subscribers work more exponentially than directly so twice as many isn't a huge difference. Plus I remember seeing both of you about the 2k subscriber mark not so long ago so its an immense amount of growth in such a short amount of time. But like you said, you come out with videos significantly less regularly with the presumably very time intensive job so its to be expected, especially with how youtube algorithms favour regular posting. Being a pilot would explain a lot of things, too. Having a proper education on the subject comes out in the videos. There seems to be a lot of crossover with all your channels and MHV, Bismark and the likes. They've got a very slick presentation and I've learnt a ton on the most unexpected topics. If you'd have the spare time I'd be surprised if they didn't want to collab considering just how extensive your knowledge is. Or at least I can dream. I'd love to see the video if it isn't too private. I don't really have much knowledge of the organisation of naval warfare, it would be pretty interesting to see thanks.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

No, it's not that private at all, it's that I never bothered to make it public. Patreons, supporters, Central and Sheriff discord people have seen it. I have not edited this to take the video back off, hopefully everyone interested, got a chance to see it.

[@lahummer5759]

That end bit with a Corsair Smoking a P-51. Suprised me. Great job.

[@Dv087]

Best WWII fighter Period. I met Pappy Boyington when I was 14 and got his autograph. Grew up watching Black Sheep series on TV. Yes that probably makes me biased but also know ALOT about this aircraft. My father is a Marine and a Korean War vet ( no such thing a a former Marine he still doing great at 93 🤞). He was at the Chosin Reservoir and is still bitter to this day that " we retreated ". I keep telling him they didn't retreat, they made a strategic withdrawal. He says the Corsair saved more lives of fellow Marines than he can count including himself.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I am glad your father is still alive. Not too may Korean war veterans left :(

[@Dv087]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles Thanks for the comment on my dad. His mom made to 103 and was very independent and active right up to the end. I hope I get that lucky with him since he's not only my dad but my hero, and best friend.

[@Gimergames]

I am absolutely looking up and reading more about this football match.

[@eweidenh]

Your videos are first rate. I always learn something new and interesting.

[@billbright1755]

The A-26 was in use well into Vietnam era. A testimony to it design and build. The Hell Cat was a very fine fighter as well. The landing ship officer so critical to success, his decisions so helpful. Folding wings mean weight, that why the Zero only tip folded if at all. It’s light weight made it relatively slow speed acrobatic unmatched by U.S. designs. High speeds made her ailerons not want to work against the slip stream. Every design has its sweet spot for air speed. Later models tried swinging wings but here again more weight ( F 14 - Tom Cat ). The ww 2 fighters were designed to stay under 500 mph. The later F-104 was high speed but at those speeds your turn radius becomes ever larger or the air frame pilot suffer.

[@Alberad08]

Thank you for uploading this. BTW when you told that strange soccer war tale, I immediately looked for the uploading date of this - so, not April the 1st! :)

[@simonrook5743]

As a Brit, obviously the Spitifre is my favourite WW2 piston engined fighter, but the F4U does come a close second!

[@billybuckholson3578]

Hey Greg? Excellent, excellent series...well done!

[@geesehoward700]

I could watch these videos all day long!

[@iflycentral]

Radial engines for the win! :D

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

LOL. The debate of air cooled radials vs. liquid cooled V-types may never end. I wonder what we would have seen if the jet hadn't shown up.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Air cooled radials won. After, WW2 they were clearly the dominant piston engine, the list of post WW2 planes powered by radials is huge, the list of liquid cooled V-Type planes after the war is very very short. Now, that doesn't mean that they V-types would not have leapfrogged ahead later, but with jets arriving, they never had the chance.

[@Lemard77]

Napier Sabre ftw :P

[@jaredneaves7007]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles honestly I thought that the radials main positive factors were being simpler and more redundant in times of war. Most modern pistons are fuel injected in lines v's or boxers. Nearly all my hours were done on boxers.

[@johntempest267]

@@jaredneaves7007 "Air cooled" boxers?

[@dominickvessia1847]

My father worked on the first one built by Brewster. He solved the problem of manufacturing the main spare a key element in the strength of this airplane. You provide superb techmical video in excellent detail and very informative. I wish you would make a follow up video dealing with F4U-4 & 5 and the turbocharged model and another on the F2G. Thanks

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks for your comment. I'll cover the -4 and later models eventually. Right now I need to move on to the P47 and 190.

[@Bagabonda]

Excellent video, Greg! I had wondered about the Hellcat's propeller clearance vs F4U; now I know the story. thanks!

[@richardcantrell2452]

As a former navy Corsair pilot (advanced training 1949-50) I want to praise this as the most complete treatment of its design which I've seen, especially about wing-fuselage angle. Grumman in all it's monoplanes of WW II, the P-51, and even the P-47 used similar approaches. Curtiss and Bell, prewar designs, did not. Neither did the prewar British designs.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Wait, are you THE Richard Cantrell, the one of Korean War fame and of The Brown Shoes Project? If so, just wow, and thanks for your service. In any case, I appreciate your kind remarks.

[@richardcantrell2452]

@@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles That is me. But "famous?"

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

I suppose at this point anyone still alive who flew these planes in combat qualifies as famous on some level, but in your case you have some extra fame. Your mission where you flew close air support with Lt. Commander Bagwell is published in a book by Douglas E. Campbell.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

The RN Pacific Fleet is under represented in the collection of books I have. One of the issues the RN overcame, by learning from the USN, underway replenishment. They still lacked the logistics to conduct sustained operations on the scale of the USN. Their operations were heavily focused in Southeast Asia supporting UK offensive operations in Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. That being said the RN did provide tremendous support to the USN. Up to and including bombarding Japan and strikes on Formosa and China. The F4U was an exceptional aircraft.

[@jacktattis143]

jOHN: The F4U WAS GOOD NOT EXCEPTIONAL

[@00pringles]

Corsair, the most beautiful airplane ever. Period.

[@nekeke1]

Sorry, P-51D, hands down.

[@alanwilliams9693]

It's beautiful, but not more beautiful than the Lockheed Constellation. Of course the Connie was too late to participate in WW2, and it would not have been able to operate from a carrier for what should be obvious reasons. Ha!!!

[@peterclark4685]

..and Capt. Eric Brown said it was (#1) was the nicest to fly. Can I sell you a Stirling Engine perchance? How about an Spinning inertia Valve? Cheap!!

[@nekeke1]

Absolutely wonderful planes, both of them. But not main actors in the war theater.

[@mandernachluca3774]

Sorry, the BF109 E is the most beautiful plane, hands down. No for real now, i think looks are just preferencial and therefor everybody has own favorite ;D.

[@colinellis5243]

Greg another simply excellent fact based analysis!

[@rkinder6335]

I flew Grumman G1s for 6 years back in the day. The G1 and I think G2s and perhaps later, had main gear speed brakes. Pull the handle = main gear down. At min idle on the Darts it gave you 7000fpm down and us hanging in the straps. No limitations. So fun. GRUMMAN iron Works.

[@call_me_stan5887]

Greg! Sir, your channel is GREAT! Thank you!

[@scottsilvey7522]

The Corsair was always my favorite plane to model thanks to Baa Baa Black Sheep! My Mom and step dad had a plane they flew to air shows and met Pappy Boyington and asked him to sign his book that I have!!! The Corsair was never talked about as much as a Mustang but like the Mustang which did shoot down the first jet the ME 262 the Corsair during the Korean war did shoot down a Mig flown by North Korea besides it's duty as infantry protection.

[@patrickfogarty2924]

My mother worked for Goodyear Aircraft in Akron Ohio and they built major components for the Corsair. She was actually in her senior year in high school at the same time.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

That's great to hear. Thank you.

[@irritated888]

Well done, quality stuff. I didn't ever know I cared about this, but now I do.

[@BareSphereMass]

21:39 Woo, that P-51 is crazy. P-51 is my favorite WWII plane, so I'm always interested in hearing about it, even if it loses.

[@victorbruce5772]

I recall something about the bent gull wing design having something to do with aerodynamic stability, adding greatly to automatic recovery to level flight.

[@johnallison4688]

Fascinating, it’s cleared up several questions for me about this remarkable airplane. Many thanks.

[@josephcasey7890]

Excellent video, very informative, I'm currently writing a short story and the f4u features promently and this answered many of my questions, THANKS!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Thanks Joseph, let us know about the story when it's done. I would love to read it.

[@aretardridesmotard6128]

Very niche channel this one, but its one of my favourites. Thanks

[@kennethkatz8278]

Excellent video, with the kind of information beloved by aerospace engineers like me.

[@danbranstrom8562]

Whether one airplane is better than another is often a subject of debate. The most obvious factor is the skill of the pilot. I recall that there was an Allied WWII pilot who shot down Me 109s using a Mustang. After the war, he joined the budding Israeli Air Force and shot down Mustangs flying a Spanish-made Me 109 during their fight for independence. After Vietnam, there were a lot of very experienced pilots who were in the reserves, and it is rumored that they often cleaned the clocks of active duty pilots flying some of the newer, hot new fighters in exercises. Combat experience, like playing time in football, can mean that someone is a lot more competitive in actual competition.

[@marthavaughan4660]

Yep, 90 degree wing -fuselage intersection was the greatest advantage,(shorter gear and prop clearance next) allowing that magical 400 kt. level flight first. Thanx Greg, once again.

[@jacktattis143]

Martha: 400 mph not knots

[@kenneth9874]

The first for a single engine fighter, the p38 was first overall

[@EddieSchrapnel]

The forward placement of the vertical tail allows the articulated movement of the rudder to stay clear of the movement of the elavators. The F4U-1a could be considered the forerunner of the H.U.D. When the seat was raised for the blown canopy, the old gunsight could not be used to see over the long nose. So, the small round sighting glass common to the sights of the time was eliminated. It was replaced with a trapezoidal shaped glass mounted to the windscreen, well above the top of the dashboard. Only the lamp portion remained on the instrument panel.

[@maxschell8823]

At about the 13 minute 40 second portion of this video you discuss the potential confusion of the placement of the CO2 tank and the tank than lowers the landing gear. This issue is specifically mentioned in Boone Guyton's book, "Whistling Death." Guyton was Chance Vought's PRIMARY Corsair test pilot. Go to page 172. The encounter between Guyton and Admiral Tom Hamilton addressing this exact issue can be found here.

[@peterclark6290]

Soccer: as-soc-iation. Lucas: _The Prince of Darkness._ Warm beer: tests how much crap a body is willing to absorb as a replacement for toughness.

[@leviriddick6927]

I would love to see you do a series on the F6F! My favorite plane, it had many interesting features as well like its auto adjusting flaps. ;)

[@nickstevens3139]

I love the way you get off topic. Interesting to hear about the role of the Royal Navy in the Pacific. You didn’t mention the name of the countries in the football war. It could only be Brazil and Argentina.

[@buggerall]

That's Johan Cruijff. Nr 14!

[@RKarmaKill]

Respect the guy who made this video respect

[@Fishyyy]

A F4U downed a Mustang, who would've thunk.

[@artokiiskinen1058]

Even weirder is to think that they went to war over a football game!!

[@Sturminfantrist]

yep it was Honduras vs El Salvador , i think the Hondurian AF used the F-4U or FG-1 and El Salavador P-51`s and FG-1 Corsairs

[@SCYTHE2525]

No kiddin. That's very interesting. I'd only recently learned about the Honduran/Salvador football war on a KZbin channel. Very interesting.

[@johntempest267]

It's been claimed by many WW2 Corsair pilots. They had the best plane bar none.

[@khaccanhle1930]

@@johntempest267 I feel like the later versions really got into super-prop territory -4 and-5 were really fast. However, the -1 had slot of teething trouble. Eric Brown flew one of the earlier ones and had quitea low opinion of it. On the other hand I remember seeing a IJN pilot asked about the Corsair, he said, "Don't even mention the name of that plane to me. So many of my friends died by it." He didn't seem to feel that way about any other airframe. Which is a compliment of sorts.

[@chocolatte6157]

Great plane. As a kid I had a Cox gas engine plane on a string that was the mighty Corsair.

[@oaktadopbok665]

The thoughful comments really add to these great videos. Thank you, all.

[@charlesneely265]

Great job. Meandering tends to happen to aircraft nerds! Just a couple points you missed: MOST WWII F4Us had a fabric covered wing. Also, but not a major point, F8F's tall landing gear leg is double articulated, upper portion folds outward, while the longer lower leg, folds inward. Also P-47's leg compresses during retraction, some 9". Lot's of great shots of British Corsairs I hadn't seen before. BTW- Not he best car I ever owned but the one I miss the most was my 1972 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe. I don't miss the tune ups!

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Hi Charles, I am certainly guilty of leaving stuff out. I try to keep these videos down to about 20mins, although I have concerns that my next one is running into over time.

[@wdm3pu]

I always thought that spot welding the frame was the most unique thing?

[@mattsta1964]

Fascinating channel. Great getting this level of knowledge

[@doronron7323]

Hi Greg. Like all your video's, enjoyed this one too; learning a lot of stuff.What did surprise me was your little diversion, mentioning the British Pacific Fleet with some appreciation of their contribution in that theatre. That was the first time I've heard a positive comment of the issue from someone who I assume is an American.WW2 is a strange era in this regard, especially in Europe. If you read/watch stuff by the Americans, it proudly tells you how they won the war. It's the same from the British side. Especially regarding the air war. Baring in mind the 'Yanks' were based in the UK there is always acknowledgement of them. The big 'but' in this is surely both allies complimented each others endeavours to a large extent. Yet I can't think of a single book that takes a dispassionate view of this. I'd like to find out more on the subject.Don't forget the Russians arguably contributed a hell of a lot too. Who mentions them?

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Even the British seemed to forget about their exploits in the Pacific. I'll stick with reality on this channel. Sometimes that means I'll be critical of certain British things, and sometimes of certain U.S. things. I'll cover some of the Soviet aircraft too.