
[size=12]Holding the number 1 spot for the longest production run of any piston engine fighter in U.S. history taking place between 1942-1952. The Chance Vought Corsair F4U was deemed "Most formidable American fighter in WWII by Japense pilots, by U.S. officials it was considered the most dangerous and most capable carrier based fighter bomber in the entire campaign. The main theatres of operation for this deadly aircraft were World War II and Korea. United States naval air combat records show a kill ratio of 11 enemy aircraft downed for every 1 corsair shot down. A staggering 12,571 Corsair F4U's were produced and served their pilots from the United States, to France, and New Zealand. Powered by a monster 2,000 h.p. 18 cylinder Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp Radial R2800 engine the F4U was truely a force to be reckoned with. Originally designed to sport a folding wing desing the corsairs were fitted w/ a 13' 4" hydromatic 3-blade propeller to accomodate such. Engineers had trouble designing large enough main landing gear to allow for ground clearance. In order to accomodate they utilized standard gear and designed the trademark inverted gullwing orientation for the wings much like that of the German Junkers JU87. The United States "Took a Chance" and came out on top.