BEST World War II Fighter? | Curator on the Loose!

Today's a "2-for-1 Special" as Matthew Burchette, Museum of Flight Senior Curator, takes a look at our Corsair and our ultra-rare Super Corsair. The mighty Corsair proved to be one of the most effective Navy planes of World War II. Matthew hops into the cockpit of each plane to see what made it so special.
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[@user-vj9qz3br6l]

Great video and presenter mate - you’ve got yourself a new sub

[@museumofflight]

Thanks and welcome to the channel! We release new Curator on the Loose! episodes the second Saturday of every month.

[@enriqueacevedo36]

​@@museumofflightzzzzaÀZzzà At áxxxa

[@fzj80bluto]

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[@olsonspeed]

I witnessed the salvage operation of the Corsair from Lake Washington, it looked pretty sad as it oozed mud onto the tarmac at Standpoint NAS awaiting restoration. Hard to believe it is the same airplane, the museum did fantastic work rescuing this old Warbird. I also was amazed to learn that the designer was a Seattle native an attended Queen Anne High School my old alma mater.

[@mikedegnan5252]

The sad thing is, there's still more than one down there.

[@olsonspeed]

@@mikedegnan5252 The one they restored was deemed the most intact. The War Birds should be salvaged from the lake, before they disappear.

[@Subpac_ww2]

The F4U is my favorite single engine by far. Beautiful example you have there.

[@mikepette4422]

I think there are a lot o COrsair fan boys out there and we're not wrong

[@4dmind]

The Pratt and Whitney R2800 - every plane that used that engine was highly capable - the F4U, the Hellcat, the P-47 Thunderbolt - my favorite planes of WW2.

[@human52]

My father flew these in the Pacific(WW II) for the RNZAF and praised this aircraft big time!!! "Now we'll get the job done!!!" Said visibility was fine once in the air.

[@garymcaleer6112]

You forgot to give the Brits glory, Matt. They were the ones who developed the technique for carrier landings. The pilot would do a deep bank before his approach to pinpoint the deck.

[@dukecraig2402]

No they weren't, they only claim that, and it's an easy sell to people by misusing the timeline of events to convince them of it, on it's surface because of that timeline of events, which leaves out an important fact, it appears true but it simply isn't. What they never mention and is very important is the fact that the first US Navy unit to be carrier qualified with the F4U did it before the British developed their technique using their own technique they developed for landing on a carrier, I believe it was before the British even had any F4U's, but with the Hellcat coming online they decided to give the F4U's to the Marine's who were operating off of airstrips on islands because of Hellcat's being so much easier to land on carrier's with their cockpit that's further forward and higher up, it made much more sense to use it because it's safer, don't forget there were plenty of pilots right out of flight school the way naval aviation was growing because of the war, why would they want to risk a bunch of rookies lives using a plane that's hard to land on a carrier when they have an equally effective fighter they could use that's easier to land on carrier's? Right about the time that the British came up with that landing technique is when Kamakazi's started being used by the Japanese, since the F4U had a faster climb rate they decided to put a unit with F4U's on each carrier in the event of a Kamakazi attack so they could take off and climb up to meet them to protect the carrier and it's task force. Naturally because of the coincidence of those events happening about the same time the British assumed that they saved the day for the F4U being used on US carrier's and started laying claim to it, since on it's surface it looks good the story kind of stuck with everyone and like with so many other examples another WW2 myth was born, but the truth is even if it was true that they were the only one's that could figure out how to land an F4U on a carrier it still wouldn't have mattered, since the Hellcat was safer to land on a carrier they still wouldn't have put F4U's on them, the reason they did wasn't because of the British it was because they needed them for protection from Kamakazi's, the US Navy had plenty of it's own talented pilots at the time and it's silly to think that they needed someone to show them how to land their own plane on their own carrier's, they'd already figured it out it's just that removing them from carrier service at the time was the smart thing to do having a large influx of rookie pilots and a plane that was much easier to land on carrier's, for that matter it was safer with experienced pilots also especially with pilots coming back from battles in shot up planes who were also likely injured, who wanted to write a bunch of letters back to the States saying "Dear Maddam, your son bravely died landing a plane on a carrier when in fact we have a plane much easier to land on them that had he been in might be alive today", no, the Navy certainly didn't want the mother's of dead pilots who died landing a plane on a carrier finding out there was one easier to land on one writing letters to Congress and the next thing you know a bunch of Admirals have to answer up to a Congressional inquiry about why they weren't using planes that were easier to land on a carrier.

[@kitbag9033]

​@dukecraig2402 calling BS on that one my friend. The British mafe it work vecause they had very little choice in the matter. USMC ere also the poor relations to USN procurement

[@jacktattis]

@@dukecraig2402 Only the very experience pilots could land it. It was not named the Ensign Killer for nothing.

[@anthonyferris8912]

@@kitbag9033 And such a lot of BS at that.

[@robertwoodroffe123]

My uncle apparently helped train American navy pilots,using Brewster Buffalo for landing technique , so they could do it with the Corsair. He was nz pilot in the fleet air arm! DSO ! , the main plain he flew was ! A squadron leader Grumman Avenger! Which apparently had four crew not just three ! ie dedicated radio operator ! Plus ! Anyhow that’s the biggest single engine aircraft on a carrier in those days ! Hence DSO ! Distinguished Service Order! Learned approximately half of that at his funeral ! My dad never flew! Tough he wanted too ! Red green colour blind! Had him in some kind of bind . The RAF he did apply, army took him lucky guy ! Well apparently me and my older siblings are lucky 🍀 we are half Irish ☘️ My dad 0 Irish

[@MrDgwphotos]

Grumman and Vought were ordered by the Navy to swap the F6F and F4U so that the test pilots of each manufacturer could get a feel for the other manufacturer's plane and improve what the Navy considered the downsides of each aircraft.

[@Subpac_ww2]

Everyone wins! Except the enemy.

[@richardletaw4068]

Great content. Truly. But who is the video aimed at? I strongly dislike the patronizing tone. This plane’s mission and the sacrifices incurred during its accomplishment deserve a mien of dignity, not a delivery suited for a children’s TV show. Again: You nail the subject matter. But I switched off at 10 minutes-and you have lost a potential subscriber.

[@gyrogeek]

The restoration center did an amazing job. You definitely know your planes. It’s wonderful to know the heritage of these planes that still exist to educate.

[@larryd.214]

Great video! The Corsair is one of my favorites! Just a little correction - the Corsairs flown by the French were actually used by the Aeronavale (the French Naval Air Arm), not the French Air Force, as mentioned in the video. The Aeronavale's 94 F4U-7s were the last off the Vought line, and were used in Indochina, the Suez, Algeria, and Tunisia. The Aeronavale also used 25 or so ex-USMC AU-1 Corsairs in Indochina. Some day I gotta get back up there to the museum...

[@mikedrop4421]

My mom and dad love the show Black Sheep squadron loosely bases on Pappy Boynton and so I watched it all the time as a kid and to this day I cant figure out why the Spit and Mustang get all the love while the Corsair is a way distant 3rd if not 4th behind the Hellcat. Its a phenomenal plane

[@LA_Commander]

The Corsair certainly deserved more credit. But I think it was just the lack of numbers. The Marine Corps is small, and its air arm is even smaller. With the plethora of Navy Hellcats and Army P-38 Lightnings, the sheer number of those two fighters kind of "stole the show". Fortunately, the Corsair got a lot of love from the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron". I also used to watch it as a small child.

[@scottmarquiss7941]

Matthew, Nice HAIRCUT! I've have been following your presentations since you were in Colorado! As a long time National Air and Space Museum (NASM) docent, I'm always looking for my dope to tell our guests, and you've always delivered. BTW our Corsair is VERY dirty (gear. . . Tail hook. . .flaps all down), it's one of the first aircraft when you walk into the Udvar-Hazy Center. It's also autographed (in the wheel well) by "Pappy" Boyington! Keep up the good work. . .And may all you winds be tail!

[@museumofflight]

Thanks Scott!

[@marklincoln3773]

My uncle flew one in the Pacific and then again in Korea USMC. Hell of a workhorse!

[@AndyinMokum]

My father flew the F4U with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in the Pacific theatre of WWII. He loved the aircraft. He said it was an absolute beast and without a doubt, the best carrier based fighter, fighter/bomber of the whole war.

[@kenstewart5991]

Have to agree but if the F8F had arrived before the end of hostilities there's just no way it wouldn't have been king of piston fighters. In any theater, land or sea.

[@jacktattis]

It did NOT fight the best and they were in the west.

[@kenstewart5991]

@@jacktattis You don't have to fight to be the best fighter. Not when talking aircraft anyway. The F-22 has yet to face any enemy in a fight, but the Raptor is FAR and Away the best fighter ever concieved.

[@jacktattis]

@@kenstewart5991 I dont think so.

[@kenstewart5991]

@jacktattis lol, ti bad I'm not a young airforce pilot, and you the same. I'd take a Raptor and you could fly any plane ever built. And you never know what hit you.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

It's BOY-ington not Bo-ington!!! Actually it was Hallenbeck. He changed it from Hallenback to Boyington to escape marital status restrictions at that time. Boyngton was his bloodline father's name. And he was seldom called "Pappy." "Gramps" was more like it. "Rats" even more. And he had the nickname "Rats" much much longer. I built scale models for one of his pilots that lived right behind us named "Dutch." It was Boyington who gave that name to him....Outstanding Video😆😆😆

[@wings9925]

A great walk-through. I've had the pleasure of touring the only original-condition Corsair in the world, KD431, at RNAS Yeovilton Fleet Air Arm Museum. It has its original paintwork and even remnants of the doped canvas covers fitted from the factory before shipping across the atlantic. It even has a gas detector circle on the wing. What an airplane!

[@apollo11guy]

Interesting program. The Corsair was always my fave (after the Mustang, of course).

[@luziosalles324]

After the Mustang, I agree.

[@MrDgwphotos]

To elaborate more on the Brewster production of the Corsair, they produced the least number of Corsairs because Brewster was plagued with management and labor issues, and went bankrupt in 1944. Brewster managed to produce 735, of which 430 went to the Royal Navy.

[@johnosbourn4312]

And today there's just one flyable example of the Brewster F3A-1 variant.

[@dukecraig2402]

And they got a bad rap over those Corsair's, the major issues with their quality problems were from sub contractors making faulty things for them, a lot of those sub contractors were making things they'd never made before the war and the problems with them showing up in the final product naturally got blamed on Brewster leading to a reputation for poor quality they didn't deserve that continues to this day with some people. They also dealt with an issue many of the companies who were making aircraft that were others designs had, those companies making it as difficult as they could to make their plane's, they resented the fact that instead of the government giving them the money to expand enough to build all the plane's themselves smaller companies whose designs didn't get accepted got to build them, they resented that they now had access to their innovations that could wind up being used against them after the war by incorporating them into their own future designs, so they did things like not sending them revised prints until after they'd already started fabricating things causing them massive problems and reworks, Consolidated did it to Ford so much over the B24 that caused so many production problems and so much finger pointing that the Presidents of both got called to Washington over it and got their asses chewed off by FDR.

[@LA_Commander]

Ah yes, the Brewster Buffalo, probably the greatest fighter of the war. Did really well defending Midway.

[@MrDgwphotos]

The R-4360 Wasp Major was used on a number of other aircraft, including the B-50, C-97, and the Spruce Goose.

[@kenstewart5991]

The Skyraider or " sandy" as well.

[@stevedeleon8775]

The WWII Warbirds that are my favorites are... 1.P38 Lightening.. 2.P51 Mustang 3. F4U Corsair

[@jacktattis]

P38 lousy dive P51 Good F4U Corsair as manoeuvrable as a brick

[@nunyabidness3075]

Yep, P38.

[@cindyrandyfinamore3887]

My uncle flew P38s, he spoke highly about it’s performance and strike power.

[@Jonno2summit]

The F4u-5, with R2800, was actually more powerful and faster than the Super Corsair with the 4360. That "5" Corsair is an interesting engineering feat.

[@CarlosGÓMEZ-e2w]

Its made after the ww2, so doesnt enter in this category

[@Jonno2summit]

@@CarlosGÓMEZ-e2w You are correct. I was just commenting outside the realm of this video about my surprise to find that the F4U-5, with R2800, was faster than the Super Corsair with the R4360 four-row engine. I brought this up to "Greg's Airplanes and Automobiles" and he said he would address that topic. Don't know if he did yet. I find it to be an interesting engineering topic.

[@robgraham5697]

I do like the Corsair. But my favourite is the Mosquito. That is a sweet bird.

[@kevinspooner4001]

I love the diversity of the missions the mosquito could do. The speed was amazing as well. Also, was flown in pacific and Europe.

[@shevetlevi2821]

I've heard that another reason for the inverted gullwing design of the wings was that it was important for the wing roots to attach to the fuselage at a 90 degree angle. Fun fact: I was a resident at the Miami VA Hospital in the early 1980s. Back then many of my patients were still WW2 vets. One of them, a WW2 fighter pilot who flew Mustangs told me that right after the war you could buy surplus Mustangs for $5000! I'm sure Corsairs were probably in the same price range.

[@romanpernal7397]

I enjoy the gentleman speaking clearly and slowly.

[@bierce716]

Regarding forward view, I've always wondered why they didn't install a periscope like Lindbergh did when he couldn't see past the noise of the Spirit of St Louis.

[@amandastevenson4948]

Wow I thought I knew everything about the Corsair the elevator problem and the leading Edge solution awesome

[@davegrove795]

My favorite plane, I’d never heard the leading edge stall stopper explained. I guess that’s why we watch!

[@jimgoff1170]

I think it actually started the stall earlier than usual so that it would counter the other wings tendency to stall!

[@johnosbourn4312]

The large 13 foot 4 inch prop was only fitted to the Birdcage Dash 1s, and the Raised Canopy Dash 1s, the F4U-1D, and the FG-1/1A, and the Brewster F3A-1s, the Dash 1D went to a 13 foot. 1 inch prop.

[@MBCGRS]

Hawker Typhoon 14 feet....

[@kenneth9874]

@@MBCGRS that's a lot of prop for a disappointment

[@manricobianchini5276]

Absolutely! All the variants were awesome.

[@Jack-bs6zb]

The Japanese learned from Royal Navy exploits in the Mediterranean. The US were slow to learn the benefit of British steel decks until their carriers’ wooden decks were penetrated by kamikazies at great cost to their sailors. The angled deck was another British invention as was the later ramp deck. Test pilot Captain Eric Brown still holds the record for piloting the number of aircraft types. He made the first carrier landing of a jet powered aeroplane. He flew the lethal Me163 Komet (and lived!) along with so many other experimental German types. After piloting just about anything capable of getting airborne he stated that the Me262 was the most advanced and capable fighter of WW2 bar none and five years ahead of anything available to the allies, which certainly included the Corsair.

[@paxwallace8324]

There were apparently tests performed that proved that The F4U could turn inside both the ME109 and FW190. But the Mustang was acquitting itself quite nicely thank you very much.

[@michaeltelson9798]

My Wood Science professor was an inspector in the factory that made the tail surfaces which are fabric covered. The fir or spruce had to be absolutely clean, meaning no knots or other imperfections. They allowed very little in the tolerances on the wood as it was that exacting

[@jerry5876]

The corsair tail was wood?

[@michaeltelson9798]

@@jerry5876 If you look at the pictures of the tail control surfaces you will see the ribs with the stretched doped materials over it. It was a common practice back then www.defensemedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Corsair-warbird.jpg On that picture look at the tail surface , you can see the ribs.

[@jerry5876]

@@michaeltelson9798 oh, just the ribs? I thought u meant the entire tail lol

[@michaeltelson9798]

@@jerry5876 The rubber itself and the two stabilizers. The ribs just makes it clear that the stabilizers are fabric covered wood. The fabric is heavily doped after being stretched over the wood frames. These techniques are still used in making R/C model aircraft. Movies will show it as well in depicting damage to these surfaces like in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when Sean Connery’s character damages the tail of their airplane.

[@bliglum]

Good stuff. Mr. Burchette is like the Mr. Rodgers of aircraft history. Subbed!

[@jameseast7966]

In 1976-77 at H&MS--14 at MCAS Cherry Point NC, we had anF4U--5n. It was fully restored to non flyable status. We did run up the engine once before sending it to a museum. I would like to see it again, if I knew where it is.

[@jimfinlaw4537]

Very nice video of the Goodyear Corsairs. The real reason why the Goodyear F2G Super Corsair was cancelled after only 10 were built and delivered was because it had very similar performance characteristics to the Grumman F8F Bearcat, which was ordered into production. The F8F Bearcat uses the same engine as the original F4U Corsair, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, thus making engine parts between the two planes interchangable. Also the performance of the Super Corsair's top speed of only 431 mph and handling problems proved to be disappointing. Goodyear built 5 F2G-1 Super Corsair land based aircraft that feature manual folding wings and a 14 foot diameter propeller. Goodyear built 5 F2G-2 Super Corsairs, which was the carrier based version featuring a 13 foot 4 inch diameter propeller, hydraulically actuated foldable wings and a tail hook. All Goodyear Corsairs were manufactured in the huge airship hanger at Goodyear Air Dock in Akron, Ohio. This massive hanger is where the Navy's equally massive USS Macon and USS Akron rigid airships were built back in the 1920's. The hanger is so big it has its own weather system inside. Today, Goodyear Air Dock is owned by the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Another nickname the F4U Corsair had was the "Ensign Eliminator."

[@feedingravens]

The Germans wanted to build a giant hall for I think 200,000 people and several hundred meters high in Berlin, after the war. It is said when full, the humidity of the sweat would have caused clouds to form and it would have started to rain in the hall. And a while ago in Germany they wanted to build a giant new airship for superheavy, bulky loads, avoiding the very elaborate road transport. They found investors and started to build the giant hall they needed to build that airship. And conveniently, when the hall was complete, money ran out, and the whole project was cancelled. The hall quickly found a new usage for a holiday park. Up to now I wonder whether the whole was not just inscened to better get the financing of the hall for the park.

[@markbarry9945]

I flew a Corsair replica to airshows and thought I would give you some feedback, in some cases the aircraft would stall tail-first which will wake you up real quick, you didn't mention this but a lot of Navy Pilots were killed when they tried to perform a go around and gave it full throttle over the carrier which would torque the aircraft and inverting it, and did you also notice that some Corsairs had the three blades and others have the four bladed props? Do you know why?

[@mkshffr4936]

The Hellcat had its charms as well.

[@VictorRomeo1917]

Have loved it since "blacksheep squadron" because it just looks nasty. 50 now and have 5 models of Corsairs within 10 feet of me atm (love the Spitfire too, but its a thing of beauty, the Corsair is a freakin' lethal beast!)

[@marioguerrero9527]

Amazing video! I love hearing more about the history of the individual artifacts of the museum!

[@ohger1]

All planes during those years had advantages and disadvantages. The pilot who flew to his plane's strength would usually win despite the plane he was up against.

[@Doughillman]

The Corsair, being flown to its strengths, would beat other planes being flown to their strengths.

[@MySmokingToaster]

Yea, F4U was a great plane, at lower altitudes. It was only mediocre at altitudes bombers were flying over Europe.

[@somedayzo6]

Great show! You earned a subscriber!

[@EpemaKlapkin]

When Kurt Tank designed his Fockewolf 190 he kept the wing straight. And designers of Sea Fury and Bear Cat followed him

[@feedingravens]

The Fw 190 has a smaller propeller, and does not need a super-sturdy landing gear because of the half-crash carrier deck landings. And pulling the wing down meant also to get the point of the wing folding down, which makes it a little less tall folded (just read in the comments nevertheless the Brits had to take off the wingtips to be able to store it in their hangar decks). All things not needed for the Fw 190.

[@wl7107]

Which was the best airplane? Let's ask the enemy which plane they feared the most. First of all the Germans didn't face all the airplanes of the Allies; only the Japanese did. (The Japanese did meet the Soviets a few months before the end of the war.) The highest-scoring Japanese ace who survived the war said they feared the Corsair the most. He, Saburo Sakai, was speaking for all Japanese fighter pilots. Sakai had a very healthy respect for the Navy/Marine pilots. After his first encounter with Naval aviation fighters (F4Fs), he felt that they were the best and most disciplined of all. Then came the Marines (Naval aviation) in the Corsair and the legend was born. The Me 262 was great but entered late in the war in small numbers.

[@williameberhart3505]

Beautiful. Always one of my favorite planes. Got to sit in one in Flanders, NJ.

[@amelierenoncule]

As a child I, mes amis, read the memoirs of a chap Who Flew One of These in WWII. He Claimed the flight manual said that the glide-characteristics were SO poor, that if the engine stopped, you should bail-out (if high enough) ... OR 'Whistle A Happy Tune and Kiss Your Ass Goodbye '! ... Because a 'dead-stick "landing Was very iffy.

[@orcstr8d]

Having the largest propeller of any fighter of that era didn’t help the glide ratio on the Corsair. Fortunately both Hamilton Standard- maker of the full feathering constant speed propeller, and Chance Vought were part of the United Aircraft and Transportation Corp.

[@kenm4678]

I'll give credit to the Corsair but a solid contender would be the P47. The prototype flew over 400 MPH in 1940.

[@jacktattis]

Well the P47 had the most kills against the better enemy But still well behind the Spitfire Those extra 3 years of service by the Spitfire could not be beaten in 2 years by the P47

[@Wild_Danimal]

I just found this channel, and I am one very happy boy

[@TheJustinJ]

3:45 this could use a little more clarification. The stall-strip was needed at that specific location, because the Up-going propeller blade tip passed by that location, and created substantial up-wash that would push that section beyond its critical angle of attack. By placing the stall-strip behind the down-going propeller blade reduced that sections critical angle of attack to a lower value, helping to mitigate this issue. The vertical or horizontal stabilizer getting blacked-out by the wing downwash, especially from those large flaps, would not have been cured by a small stall strip. The leading edge modification was just to ensure the aircraft stalled "straight ahead" wings level at the break. The NACA were the ones who solved most of these issues and they, those folks who worked for the NACA invented most if not all useful aerodynamic trickery thats still used today, with few exceptions. The aircraft engineers were all very competent, but few if any were aerodynamicists. Even Kelly Johnsons famous designs borrowed heavily on the NACA solutions. From the P-38s compressibility dive recovery flaps, The P-80s NACA duct intakes, and NACA 6-series airfoils, to the SR-71s special canonical washout wing twist, and its center-body inlet spikes. All NACA.

[@cantrell0817]

Now this guy has enthusiasm! 👍

[@kenthigginbotham9716]

The Navy tested the P51 and the F4U against each other in combat and it wasn’t even close… The Corsair cleaned the clock of the Mustang so quickly it wasn’t even close and this was with pilots very familiar with both planes. Easy search to verify if you look!

[@kenstewart5991]

Another easy search and verify is the laminar flow wing performs better thevfaster you fly. You are correct if talking a dogfight between 200 and 300 knots. However above 325 knots nothing in the air could dogfight like the P-51.

[@fflanelx]

@@kenstewart5991 almost corect. p51 was almost superior to any flying plane.. but this is available for only heights over 15000ft. under this .... there is a myriad of planes that would dogfight and get on top of P51... for instance the spitfire mk9 which in the humble statements of mr eric whinkle brown.. was the best of the dogfighters. also, erich bubi hartmann .. flew against p51 and said that dropping p51 under 15k... and job done. and hartmann was flying only 109s g6/g10.

[@LA_Commander]

That's the problem with trying to define the "best fighter" of WWII. Best at what exactly? The P-51 was great at what it was designed for and what it was asked to do. High altitude escort fighter. The P-47 actually did more to destroy the Luftwaffe than any other US fighter, but never seems to get the credit. It was also a fantastic fighter-bomber. Able to withstand way more punishment than the P-51. The P-38 didn't do very well in Europe, but it was fantastic in the Pacific. That second engine was a lifesaver to many pilots flying in the middle of the largest ocean on the planet. It's great range, speed, and firepower were crucial to defeating the Japanese Air Force. The Hellcat did more to destroy the Japanese Naval Air Force than any other single fighter. The Flying Tigers were very successful with the older P-40. The Russians did really well with the P-39 Aircobra. So, it's a lot more complicated than it seems.

[@jacktattis]

@@fflanelx Hartmann exclusively flew a Bf109 F AND only ever flew against the P51 once He claimed 4 however it is hard to verify that.

[@jacktattis]

Give the test date , test place Eric Brown in Duels in the Sky said the Corsair was terrible to dogfight in I doubt very much the veracity of your statement

[@topixfromthetropix1674]

My dad taught dive bombing at Pensacola in Corsairs. He thought they were excellent. He later few a converted hospital and B17 from Oakland to Guam with stops in Hawaii.

[@nickbayer7847]

cockpit walk-around 👌👌

[@Wideoval73]

Outstanding video. I had never heard of this aircraft before. The F4-U was/is my favorite WWII aircraft. In my opinion the Corsair was the best piston engine aircraft of WWII. To bad it didn't make it to Europe.

[@jerryw6577]

The operating environments were different between Europe and the Pacific. Europe air-to-air combat was 25,000 ft and higher, and often quite cold. The supercharger of the Corsair was optimized for lower altitude performance. There weren't a lot of carrier ops in Europe except for the British. They did use Corsairs on missions against a German battleship in Norway.

[@davemiller6155]

Great presentation!

[@nolanbowen8800]

Was it any better than the Hellcat? Many years ago I saw a corsair abandoned south of Provo, Utah. I mentioned it to a fellow at an airshow and he knew the guy that got it and restored it.

[@mikeframe5450]

The inverted gull wing design was for aerodynamic efficiency. The Hellcat used the same diameter prop as the FG-1D, 13' 1" and had a conventional wing. The Corsair's wing design allowed for a shorter MLG strut which could be used as a dive brake. The four bladed prop was 13 4" and was fitted on the F4U-4. A late WW ll varient.

[@mikeframe5450]

So basically you agree only with 5,000words.

[@RonSales]

I'd have to say there was 2 #1 on my list is the corsair and #2 would have to be the P38 lightning which came out late in the war.

[@LA_Commander]

The P-38 Lightning actually came out before the War and was the first US fighter to go past 400 MPH. It was also the only fighter to be in production from before the War all the way until the end of the War. No other US fighter can claim that.

[@TheJustinJ]

From the standpoint of flew into combat theater before the last day of the war, and on a technical basis, the P-80 Shooting Star was half a decade ahead of the meteor or -262. The other two jets were very good also, but the F4F Bearcat was probably the best piston engined fighter that came out of that era. Many many credible pilots agree.

[@John-cw4no]

Great content!, as for the most beautiful WW2 fighter..I can't decide between spitfire, mustang & corsair, all first place

[@bigwave8165]

There’s a pristine Corsair (our official state aircraft here in CT) at the local air museum my father volunteers at

[@30AndHatingIt]

The amount of amazing and different aircraft produced by both sides makes it hard to choose a favorite. Looking at US fighters alone is staggering… Lightning, Thunderbolt, Mustang, Corsair, Hellcat, Warhawk, etc. You could go down the rabbit hole for hours on KZbin with each aircraft, and then you start thinking about the Bearcat and P-80 missing the war by mere weeks…

[@jacktattis]

Oh and what about the Spitfire Hurricane in the war from 39 not 43 Tempest 638 VIs Typhoon destroyed a German Army at the Falaise Gap through first class fire and bombing and terror

[@i-tiyahman6519]

The last Dog figth was in Central America between El Salvador and Honduras one with 3 Blade prop one with 4 blade prop

[@museumofflight]

Do you think the Corsair was the best American fighter in WWII? Why or why not?

[@texasnutmegger3296]

I've always loved the Corsair, but the more I study these planes I come to believe that the P-47 is way underrated.

[@museumofflight]

@@texasnutmegger3296 Would you like us to do an episode in the future on our P-47?

[@texasnutmegger3296]

@@museumofflight ABSOLUTELY!!!!

[@sloppydog4831]

@@museumofflight YES!

[@rolanddutton4723]

In terms of performance it's up there with the P51 and P47. They all have their strengths and weaknesses so I don't think there is a "best" American fighter. (My favourite is the P38, but it's too flawed to be the best)

[@icewaterslim7260]

How hot did that 4 row radial run? What else used It? The F4U is a potent aircraft with some quirky handling faults associated with the torque provided by the P&W 2800 Radial and that was also typical of every fighter that used the power-plant. to one degree or another. That's the trade off for an air cooled power-plant that takes incredible damage whereas a liquid cooled motor is not taking you to your base once the cooling system gets perforated. I used to say I would've liked a P47N if I were free to choose my means of survival back then. That came from a non pilot and the more I learn from reading the more appreciative I might've been, after all, of a cost effective pilot friendly P51D with it's relatively trouble free unique single shaft two stage mechanical supercharger on that Merlin that would leave me free to focus on that aforementioned survival goal in an aircraft with a wide range of comparative performance advantages over almost all it's adversaries. The P&W 2800 does sound badass to the ear though.

[@couchfighter]

thank god the hair is gone... lol kidding buddy. So glad to see you!!!!!

[@gregsheffield7586]

I am a military aircraft geek and lover, especially World War II. And ever since I was a little kid the Vaught F4 U1 Corsair has always been my absolute favorite of all time! A big part of that was the TV show baa baa Black Sheep about Pappy Boyington

[@nickshale6926]

You missed out a whole section about the Corsair's development into an effective carrier-based fighter in WWII. The reason the Corsair initially started its wartime service with the USMC from island runways in the Pacific was because the USN had initially rejected the fighter for carrier based duties as it's landing gear was prone to damage and even collapse on hard-deck landings. It was only when the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm re-engineered and modified the landing gear to their Corsairs for use on Royal Navy carriers, that the problem was rectified.

[@Nghilifa]

The landing gear wasn't prone to damage, the oleos were too stiff, causing it to bounce upon landing. The brits worked around that problem with a curved approach (which was shallower). The problems with the Corsair wasn't fixed until they started fielding the 1A (F4U-1A) model, the first model with a malcolm hood/canopy instead of the birdcage canopy on the dash-1 model, it was Vought that solved those mechanical issues, not the British.

[@jacktattis]

@@Nghilifa Maybe Maybe not there is a lot of contention about that.

[@Idahoguy10157]

In 1972 my brother and I climbed aboard a Corsair ready to be scrapped. There were several Corsair hulks in a row. A week later they were on flatbeds going down the road…

[@museumofflight]

The story of many an airframe. Must have been awesome to sit in the cockpit! We're glad we have a few here to keep safe and preserved for future generations!

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@museumofflight …. Yeah it was. My father and uncles were WW2 vets. One was a bomber pilot

[@museumofflight]

@@Idahoguy10157 Do you know what he flew?

[@Idahoguy10157]

@@museumofflight … he trained initially on the B-17. Then the B-29. Went too India with the B-29’s. According to family oral history he died there of polio. His wife remarried later. His remains were eventually buried at the Punchbowl national cemetery in Hawaii. My father said very little about him. I suppose that was the family’s way of getting over the war. I find it sad he’s unremembered

[@museumofflight]

@@Idahoguy10157 Thank you for sharing his story. Did you know you can virtually walk around inside our B-17 and B-29? If you ever want to see what it would have been like for him, here's the B-17: my.matterport.com/show/?m=ArPe3NZ5f1o and here's the B-29: my.matterport.com/show/?m=Qa3Lu8iPfHW

[@thermalreboot]

You left out that while the USA used the Corsair as a land based fighter for the Marines, the British Navy perfected carrier use with the Corsair that the US Navy adopted.

[@spritbong5285]

And then the US shit on Britain by limiting the supply of Corsair's and spare parts to the Royal Navy. Ungrateful assholes.

[@kenneth9874]

They didn't have the luxury of choice because they didn't have a suitable naval fighter of their own

[@Kelgo102]

Best guy

[@MBCGRS]

Funny how the Hawker Typhoon had a bigger 14 foot propeller. Yet didn't need gull wings. The design allowed short legs, good propeller clearance and low height when wings folded for stowage.

[@jacktattis]

Well I never knew that Posters here have been going on about the US Fighters

[@steveb6103]

If you look closely at the prototype. The nose is much shorter. That's because the fuel tanks are in the wings. When the Navy wanted the 6 M2 Browning machine guns in the wings, they had to move the tanks to in front of the cockpit.

[@Beans577]

Airplanes evolved faster than anything in existence! I can’t believe what humans have been able to accomplish it’s hard to comprehend.

[@jacktattis]

Yes indeed

[@damoncoombs9307]

Of all the WWII aircraft I always love F4U Corsair.

[@scrappydude1]

This was the summary of the direct fly off tests (with experienced Navy and Airforce (army) combat pilots) between the F4U-1 (early birdcage variant, not even a -1A) and the P-51B (which outperforms the more famous D in all areas except range) The report states: 1. It is concluded that, in general: 2. There is little to choose between the P-51B and F4U-1 airplane in speed between sea level and 25,000 feet, and that above 25,000 feet, the P-51B is superior. 3. That the F4U-1 is everywhere considerably superior in climb, at any comparable loading and superior in all other performance elements except diving speed. 4. The F4U-1 is everywhere superior in maneuverability and response. 5. With equal endurance, the F4U carries about 86% more armament and that it is a better gun flatform. 6. In summary, the F4U-1 airplane appears to be the superior fighter for Naval or Marine employment, either land for ship-based except in the case where substantially all the fighting occurs above 25,000. Further, in May 1944 the Navy conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the F4U-1D and F6F-3, and they concluded that the Corsair was the overall the superior fighter, equally suitable carrier plane, and vastly better bomber/attack plane, and the board strongly recommended the navy immediately begin to phase out the F6F in favor of the Corsair.

[@richardthomas1566]

Great info and video but I felt like I was taking instructions from my 3rd grade teacher. Very clear and well annunciated words.

[@alexlanning712]

Matt, I never realised the era of the Corsair extended over quite a few years

[@RT22-pb2pp]

Depends on what the mission was, no one plane is best at all things. depending on the theater the mission we had 4 or 5 great planes or more.

[@VincenzoPentangeli]

I think with so many leaps in technology during the war that the category needs to be split up into early, mid, and late war fighters. Early I would say the Zero (Pacific) or BF 109 (Europe). Mid I would say Spitfire, late I would say the Mustang (Europe) or Corsair (Pacific).

[@USApatriotLarry]

ERROR.... Rex Beisel / Vought did not come up with the inverted gull wing (Pulaski wings) design. The most famous predecessor was the German JU 87 Stuka which flew in 1935, five years before the Corsair. There were many other predecessors like the Polish P.11 (1930), Caproni Sauro -1, Bristol Type 153, Loire - Newport LN.40, Klemm KL35 and many more. The bent wing was heavier and more difficult to construct, therefore offsetting the weight of the gear benefits. That is why Grumman did not follow suit. National pride is not a good excuse to pass on the myth.

[@jerry5876]

I heard "whistling death" was also propaganda. Japanese never called it that

[@jokervienna6433]

I think your headline is somewhat misleading. If we are talking about the "best" ww2 fighter, that can be measured in many different ways. What was the best fighter before 1940? Or should we count the ME 262? Or the most produced? Or the ones that where so good they where produced during the whole war, but was upgraded? Long range? Most firepower? Agility? I think saying "the best" is simply impossible. I also have great admiranse of the Corsair, don´t get me wrong. But "the best"? Very difficult to claim.

[@LA_Commander]

Exactly. Best at what specifically?

[@peterrollinson-lorimer]

Spot on. Every aircraft is a study in compromises.

[@mikebaird6788]

It all really depends what you're talking about on the function of the plane whether it's a bomber medium heavy or a fighter because a fighter can't do the same thing of bomber does and so on

[@billballbuster7186]

The Royal Navy used its Corsairs from its small Carriers as soon as it was delivered in 1943, in contrast to the US Navy that did not fly them from Carriers in any numbers until 1945.

[@davidyabsley2629]

Sure you knew this Matthew but the most notable nick name for the Corsair for obvious reasons was "The Ensign Eliminator".

[@miketrusky476]

2 years before it went into service the P-38 WAS in service the 38 assembly never shut down during the war as it was considered the most valuable plane. P-38s WERE THE FIRST TO LAND IN JAPAN AFTER THE WAR.

[@ag4allgood]

P38s also took out Admiral Yamamoto ! American code breakers had intercepted his itinerary days earlier. U.S. commanders hastily organized "Operation Vengeance." A squadron of P-38 Lightnings was dispatched from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, and Yamamoto was killed in a burst of gunfire over Bougainville Island.

[@LA_Commander]

Exactly, that's why it's almost impossible to define the "best fighter". Best at what exactly? Different fighters had different strengths and weaknesses.

[@ag4allgood]

@@LA_Commander Absolutely agree. Some like the P51 Mustang excelled at higher altitudes ! It all depends on the mission & what is objective. The Corsair was a great land based fighter with high speed but was very difficult to land / takeoff on a aircraft carrier because of its longer nose.

[@ross.venner]

Disappointing that you omitted the role of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm in making the Corsair operational on carriers.

[@williammitchell4417]

If it weren't for the Royal Navy, the Corsair would have never been able to serve aboard carriers.

[@wilburfinnigan2142]

@@williammitchell4417 BULLSHIT !!!!! It was used aboard carriers before the Brits got them !!!

[@jacktattis]

@@williammitchell4417 Not so, the most experienced of the USN could do it The ensigns had troubles

[@williammitchell4417]

@@jacktattis not all of the aviators are like Pappy boyington or a Dick Bong.

[@jacktattis]

@@williammitchell4417 But the experienced USN pilots were as good

[@richardrigling4906]

The R 2800 Double Wasp is the same engine used in the P-47 and the F6F, but F4U has better aerodynamics, less drag than either of the other 2. Reducing parasitic drag by having the wing perpendicular to the fuselage was a primary driver for the bent wing. Secondary benefit was stiffer landing gear and prop clearance. Nice video.

[@kenneth9874]

The R2800 in the P47's made more power

[@richardrigling4906]

@@kenneth9874 how? Was it the turbo supercharger? I don’t recall if the F4U had turbo charging

[@kenneth9874]

@@richardrigling4906 the later P47's had a turbo supercharger with water injection, the corsair had a centrifugal supercharger system, I believe that it had water injection as well

[@gregorysims0077]

Nice work 👍🏼

[@thomasburke7995]

I wonder if the Smithsonian turned down the Patuxent river f4. Also you got a lot of the facts correct. I want to point out.. the F1 Vought actually dates to 1938/39 as an air racer. So one of the best planes of the war sat on the self for 18 months .. still I believe the airframe was never truly fully developed like a p51 or a f6 hellcats

[@jacktattis]

First flight of the prototype 29 May 1940. So what are you referring to?

[@Bobbyo60]

The Hell cat had a higher kill to loss ratio of 19-1, and was responsible for making 302 aces in the Pacific.

[@kenneth9874]

The hellcat was a great plane but it's statistics benefited greatly because they had numerical superiority and most of the experienced Japanese pilots were dead

[@351linzdoctor]

@@kenneth9874 Yep killed off by Wildcat and Corsair pilots!

[@LA_Commander]

@@kenneth9874 The Navy went with the Hellcat because it was an easier and safer plane to land on carriers than the Corsair. There's a reason why the Marine Corps got them and flew them off island airfields. If you have two planes with roughly the same strengths, the plane that won't kill your pilots is the one you will go with, every time. The Corsair wasn't called the "ensign eliminator" for nothing.

[@jacktattis]

@@351linzdoctor Not the Corsair

[@jollyjohnthepirate3168]

I saw a video about the F2G and it's use as a racing plane. The pilot went before Admiral Halsey and pointed out that wouldn't it be nice to shame the Army Airforce by beating the P 51 Mustang in an air race. Halsey boomed "Get this man a F2G!". The F2G did win the race but the poor pilot pulled so many high G turns he sprained his back. He looks absolutely miserable there accepting his trophy unable to stand up straight.

[@jacktattis]

Hahaha another of those radial v In line stories Like Johnson in his P47 beating a Spitfire IX another furphy

[@KingAir90Pilot]

Do you think you could do the Boeing 247? I would love to see that!

[@museumofflight]

We'll add it to the list! We are currently working on an episode involving the 247, but it won't be the star of the show.

[@阿頭六郎]

戦った日本陸海軍のパイロットからは「ヘルキャットの方が、手強かった｣と異口同音に言ってましたね。 　また米海軍のパイロットからも「F6Fの方が運動性の良い日本機相手ならこちらの方が良かった｣と言っていたそうです。 　ところでコルセアVS.🇩🇪ドイツ機はあったのでしょうかね❓ 　あれば結果を知りたいですね😋

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

I have always liked the strange look of the Corsair, with similar wings as the German Stuka, but the best fighter? Even many on the Allied side agrees that it most likely was the Kurt Tank constructed, German Focke Wulf fw190/Ta152 witch was the most formidable fighter. Luckily the Germans ran out of fuel and pilots at an early time so even the Lockheed Lightning, heavy fighter was able to operate over Germany. But those pilots who continuing to fight sometimes reached what seems to be absurd numbers of planes shot down, with 352 as the highest number (Erich Hartmann). And many came past 200 planes shot down.

[@abbottsplace8080]

That's amazing!!

[@charlesremus2902]

My vote goes to the P47 Thunderbolt. Bomber, fighter, and flying tank. This plane did it all. The mustang is sexy, and the Corsair (Whistling Death) was an awesome plane but if you wanted to have the best chance of coming home the Thunderbolt was the plane to fly.

[@LA_Commander]

Good point. Also the P-38, with its second engine, was a lifesaver to many pilots who had to fly out in the middle of the largest ocean on the planet. It's range, speed, and firepower were crucial to the island hopping campaigns in the Pacific.

[@richardmontana5864]

To get you back home it goes to the P-47. Above 20,000 feet it goes to the P-47. Best fighter-bomber it goes to the P-47. Best looking it goes to the (are you ready for this?), the razorback P-47's C's thru the-23 D. Remember,beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Chance Vought had lousy quality control.

[@gregorysims0077]

Thanks for sharing

[@BrightonBeachNews]

The best as of WW2 said that the best plain was Me-109F

[@gordoh7634]

Great video! The debate rages on to infinity. I "argue" that the best fighter was a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Specifically, the P-47N.

[@NESig]

Though the mighty P47 Thunderbolt is my favorite WWII fighter, I would not argue against the Corsair as the "best."

[@jamesherrington5606]

I’m curious what watch are u wearing?