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F4U Corsair Marine Fighter.
This aircraft is rightfully viewed as a symbol of the American Pacific marine air forces. Its fate was not an easy one. Its development began in 1938, but it took its rightful place on the decks of the carriers only in 1944. All this time was devoted to testing and reducing the flaws. The weakest parts in the project turned out to be its powerful 2000 hp engine and chassis. Because of that the aircraft started to participate in the battles in February 1943 as a land fighter in the VMF-124 marine squadron.
Despite its defects at the beginning the aircraft appealed to pilots because of its speed, powerful weapons, high durability and good maneuverability. Many famous pilots flew this aircraft, perhaps the most famous being Gregory Boeington.
Corsairs took part in every significant operation in the Pacific from mid-1943 – the Battle of Guadacanal, the Battle at Solomon Isles, Rabaul raids, the Battle in the Leyte bay, the liberation of the Philippines, the Battle for Okinawa, the final assaults on Japan.
Corsair proved to be a fine assault aircraft. It could carry two 454 kg bombs, or two Tiny Tim rockets and eight 127mm HVAR missiles. During the battles fro Okinawa it was the main infantry support aircraft, having received the nickname Angel.
The Corsair aircraft is an example of record vivacity: it was in mass production for 11 years, and served in the air forces of 20 countries. Nearly 12.500 aircraft were made.
F4U Corsair in the "Pacific Storm"
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