F4F Wildcat (First Tour)
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The Grumman
F4F Wildcat was the best fighter aircraft available to
the U.S. Navy at the beginning of the Pacific Campaign,
and U.S. pilots flying the type soon evolved tactics for
dealing with the more maneuverable Zero - keeping above
the Zero and not attempting to dogfight with it, but diving
on it and remaining in the dive to escape. If a dogfight
did prove necessary, however, the Wildcat's sturdy construction
afforded the pilot good protection and enabled the type
to absorb a great deal of combat damage and still be able
to reach the carrier.
Facts...
Engine: Pratt & Whitney
R-1830 radial, 1,200hp
Armament: Six .5 inch machine
guns and two 100 pound bombs
Maximum speed: 328 mph at
21,000 feet; Climb: 2,265
feet per minute
Ceiling: 37,500 feet
Range: 845 miles
Weights empty/loaded: 5,342/8,152 pounds
Span: 38 feet; Length: 28
feet 9 inches |
F4U Corsair (Second Tour)
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The Vought
F4U series of fighters, named the Corsair, was one of
the "greats" of air fighting in the Second World
War. Fast, rugged and packing a great punch with its six
machine guns and considerable bomb load, the Corsair was
at first rejected by the U.S. Navy as a carrier borne
fighter as a result of its high landing speed. After its
success with the U.S. Marines and carrier use by the Royal
Navy, however, the Corsair was accepted by the U.S. Navy.
This aircraft was also called "Whistling Death"
by the Japanese due to its unique sound in flight.
Facts...
Engine: Pratt & Whitney
R-2800, 2,000hp
Armament: Six .5 inch machine
guns plus two 1,000 pound bombs or eight 5 inch rockets
Maximum speed: 417 mph @
19,900 feet
Rate of Climb: 2,890 feet
per minute
Ceiling: 36,900 feet
Range: 1,015 miles normal
Weights empty/loaded: 8,982/14,000
pounds
Span: 41 feet; Length: 33
feet, 4 inches |
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