Warplane Parade: F4U-1 Corsair

Pilots!

Summer is here, and we want to celebrate by throwing a month-long 'parade' featuring the five nations in World of Warplanes! Every week, we'll be showcasing a different tier VI plane from each nation. You'll have the chance to win Gold prizes by being one of the top earners flying the weekly plane, as well as creating content around it: fan art, stories, paper craft, guides -- you name it!

The first plane we're highlighting is the US tier VI Chance-Vought F4U-1 Corsair, a plane that gained recognition for its high victory ratio during World War II, and would become one of the most widely-produced planes during the war.

History

In 1938, the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics was requesting manufacturers to design a high-speed, carrier-based fighter with four guns and anti-aircraft bombs. Chance-Vought answered with the F4U-1, built around the experimental Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine -- an 18-cylinder, twin row air-cooled radial engine which was the heaviest and most powerful at the time. To support this massive engine, the F4U-1 had to be built with a large propeller, and the plane's identifiable gull wings were designed so that the landing gear could be placed on the lower wingtips, allowing the propeller to clear the deck. 

Despite its design, the Corsair proved to be ill-suited for its intended role, as the long nose of the plane made it difficult for the pilot to see during carrier landings. With the F6F Hellcats coming into service, the US Navy released the Corsair to the Marine Corps, who quickly put it to use dominating IJN Zeroes. The Corsair saw its first combat operations on February 14, 1943 in Guadalcanal. By August, all USMC squadrons were flying the "bent-wing bird."

In 1944, a Corsair (with some modifcations) passed carrier certification, but by that time it was already renowned in the skies. The Corsair was arguably the best fighter-bomber during the war, and it was so effective that later versions of the Corsair were used throughout the Korean War.

In-Game Performance

The Corsair is a sturdy plane, with good HP compared to other tier VI fighters, and that sturdiness only gets better when equipped with the top airframe. As expected with such a powerful engine, the F4U-1 is also among the fastest tier VI fighters. And the 12.7mm wing-mounted machine guns deal respectable damage on the enemy. 

Contests

The Whistling Death

With an 11:1 victory ratio during World War II, the F4U-1 Corsair was nicknamed "The Whistling Death" by Japanese forces, due to the sound its engine made. The player who destroys the most planes over the course of the week while flying the F4U-1 Corsair will be awarded 2,000! The number of planes destroyed will be calculated from Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 11 at 23:59 PDT.

Distinguished Record of Service

The Corsair was used by both the USMC and the USN throughout the war, accounting for 44% of total fighter sorties. The player who earns the most experience throughout the entire week while flying the F4U-1 Corsair will be awarded 2,000! Experience will be calculated between Monday, July 7 and Friday, July 11 at 23:59 PDT.

Creative Contests

We’re also running a fan art contest and a short story contest about the Corsair for more ways to win prizes!