The Chance Vought F4U Corsair is widely considered the most capable of all carrier-based fighter aircraft of World War Two. It's distinctive "bent" wings were designed to keep the landing gear short and robust for carrier landings and give clearance for the enormous 13' 4" diameter propeller required to pull her to over 400 MPH - the first American fighter to do so. It was considered the performance equal to many other fighters like the Mustang but its short range kept it either carrier-based or land-based in the South Pacific war close to the action. The Corsair continued to be operated by the USN and the Marines after the war and saw considerable action during the Korean War.

Corsairs were first operated from Carriers by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. Trained in the US, RNFAA pilots including Canadian Lt. Hampton Gray were deployed on carriers such as HMS Formidable and Victorious and carried out daring fighter escort and attack operations in the North Atlantic. This included the famous raids against the holed-up German battleship Tirpitz. After VE Day, HMS Victorious fought in the Pacific theatre where Lt. Gray won the Victoria Cross.

The VWC Corsair was acquired in US Marine Corps markings but will eventually be repainted in Gray's Royal Navy colours of the Atlantic theatre.

Type: Single engine, fighter-bomber
Notable Facts: Won the 2002 Experimental Aircraft Association?s Grand Champion - Post WW II trophy
Manufactured: 1946, Chance Vought
Construction Number: 9513
Current Registration:; N240CA Previous; N5213V, N97359
Present Markings: U.S. Marine Corps
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