F4U-4 Props

V

Velvet

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I have a nagging issue regarding the number of prop blades the F4U-4 had.....

All sources but one tell me that the F4U-4 had four blades rather than three. However the one source is my great uncle who served as a F4U-4 crew chief on Okinawa in WWII. He claims his bird had a three bladed prop. He has a running argument with another crew chief about which performed better a 3 or 4 bladed F4U-4.

Like I said, I can't find any other record of a 3 bladed F4U-4. Even pictures I've seen of the XF4U-4 have a 4 bladed prop.

Does anyone out there have any knowledge that can resolve this apparent discrepancy? I hate to disagree with a guy who was actually there.

:ernae: I just added this smiley because I like beer.
 
:costumes: I wouldn't believe every source you find on the net. Some are either wrong, or not complete enough. Just takes research.

For the Corsair...depends on which variant, which engine dash number, and time period.
Not real up on Corsairs, but I think the 4-bladed prop bit was used on 'em during the Korean war, though it's possible for 'late' WW2.

Realistic answer would be, they used both.
 
the goodyear fg-1d corsairs in the pics had three bladers,a majority of vought corsairs including the f4u-4 had four bladers,not all though.
 
The F4U-1A to -1D series had three bladed propellers, the F4U-4 indeed did have a four bladed one to make use of the extra power of its engine. It's possible that the aircraft in question had its engine damaged, there being no F4U-4 engines to replace it with as it was a rare variant and ended up with an engine (and the propeller) from a -1D. Just a thought but it might be possible.
 
Velvet said:
I have a nagging issue regarding the number of prop blades the F4U-4 had.....

Like I said, I can't find any other record of a 3 bladed F4U-4. Even pictures I've seen of the XF4U-4 have a 4 bladed prop.
Click to expand...

Just did a quick lookup on Corsairs, and it appears the X (experimental) versions of -3 (and -4) were fitted with different version R-2800s, and the 4 bladed props. Possibly the standard -4 versions.
The -3s were the first, 3 of 'em, but not released until '46.

Not positive, but also kinda recall some Corsairs (Korea or Nam?) that were re-fitted using R-4360s.
 
I don't know about foreign Corsairs but mid 1945 they were all converted to a four bladed propeller during A&R. It pulled as well as the three bladed prop and gave it more ground clearance than the three bladed.
 
This Corsair is at the Smithsonian Museum at Dulles Airport, three blades (sorry, low quality picture taken with mobile phone).

Giorgio
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I'll keep poking around as well. I wonder if any Navy/Marine or Chance Vought records from back in the forties are available.

:ernae: more beer.
 
Not sure what model it is but..........

I took these pictures at the MCAS Beaufort, SC Air Show in 2001. Looks like a four blader to me! Unfortunately the Corsair and it's pilot, Joseph Tobul of Santee, SC are no longer with us. Engine failure at an air show in Columbia, SC killed Mr. Tobul and totally destroyed the Corsair.

CJ
 
Awe Camel, that's tragic. I seem to remember now. Sigh. Notice it looks like Korea paint. Good point about the prop clearance Helldiver.
 
As has already been said, the -1 and -2 series F4Us all had 3 bladed propellers. It wasn't until the -4 series that F4Us carry 4 bladed props. All series after the -4 (-5, AU-1, -7) carried 4 bladed props as well.

Like Greycap said, the only reason I can think of an F4U-4 carrying a 3 bladed prop would be because of a damaged engine or a prop strike from a bad landing.

Crossram, the F2G Super Corsair was fitted with the P&W R-4360.

CF
 
Wowie, that corsair is certainly a very nice plane.
(homer voice)Must have (drool):kilroy:
 
if it flys and doesnt crash im game ,,2-3-4 props , fine plane ,,and fast machine of war then . works well on the japanese .
 
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