Vought
(Blackburn) Corsair V TF956 ‘JR-113’, 738 Sqn Fleet Air Airm, 1946
Blackburn
Aircraft Ltd enjoyed a long association with Royal Naval aviation.
During World War 2 it enjoyed the distinction of building many of
the Fleet Air Arm’s Swordfish aircraft, and was also contracted to
modify US-built Vought F4U Corsairs to RN standards.
On the basis of this experience, and in the light of continuing
delays to the Firebrand shipborne torpedo fighter, an Anglicised version
of the F4U-4 was developed as the Navy’s next carrier fighter.
The
type was distinguished from its US forebear by a number of features
arising from combat experience, principally the cut-down rear fuselage and
bubble canopy, which in turn required an enlargened fin (Blackburn were
unaware of similar enhancements being undertaken by Goodyear as they
developed the F2G). The main
difference was the introduction of the Centaurus engine.
Although
the airframe improvements were welcome by the crews, and the Centaurus
provided extra power, the type was destined to be overshadowed by the
superior Hawker Sea Fury, and saw only limited service with second line
units until its retirement from service in 1950.
(Donor
kits: Matchbox F4U-4 Corsair, scratchbuilt canopy, Almark sheet S8)
David
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