WWII planes: F4U vs P51

RobertN · Jun 13, 2004

The post of Warbird pictures in the photo forum is cool!

I have always liked the F4U Corsair. It is pretty fast, extremely durable, and looks cool with those gull-wings!

The P51 was a good plane too; sleek and fast.

But, in side by side comparison, which would come out on top? They were designed for specific function. Both were/are FAST for a prop plane. From specs I have seen, both have similar top speeds; F4U-f was 447mph, P51-D was 437mph. The Corsair was built for carriar base operation, compared to the Mustang's land based ops. Both manuevered well. Niether saw much use outside thier respective European and Pacific theatres though.

http://www.aviation-history.com/vought/f4u.html
http://www.warbirdalley.com/p51.htm

PBMAX · Jun 13, 2004

Both great planes, but I've always been partial to the Corsair... Thanks to the 70's show...Black Sheep!!! When I was lil.... I still love to watch it... I think it was on as re-runs then as well... That and I was raised by a Marine /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think if you had these 2 go head to head. It would be a matter of luck and who is the better pilot... as you say the seem close in spec's.

Maybe those who actully fly (pilot) have a more real world view than me and my PC FLYING..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I though love the P38-Lightning when palying the SIMS.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

frank_f15 · Jun 13, 2004

both very fine planes, although i am partial to the P51! don't ask me why, just something about that plane that i like. back then and i guess now , a slightly inferior plane could out perform with a superior pilot.

DAP · Jun 14, 2004

Robert ... there were a few versions of the F4U. Your P51D speeds seem a little low if I recall correctly.

Anyway, here's the major trade offs:

The Corsair could come with 37mm cannons, 3 on each leading edge. Could take a pounding too (not as much as the Jug though (P47 Thunderbolt)).

The Mustang could fly double the range of the Corsair. It also had a much better service ceiling (cruise altitude capability), was a lot lighter and more maneuverable.

Take your pic, enough gas and speed to get home or enough firepower to clear your path.

The early Corsairs weren't turbo'd either if I recall. They had WEP - War Emergency Power - which was a control that leaned out the mixture - good for use of a few minutes only - to ease the pucker.

r0GuE · Jun 15, 2004

The F4U (I like it too) was a miserable failure for its intended purpose of carrier based operations. They found a role for it in close air support and it did well stacked up against the zeros. I do not believe it would fare nearly as well in the European theater.

The P-51 is more manuverable. I too thought it was faster than that, but I guess you could be comparing the B model rather than the D. With the Rolls Royce engine it was nearly untouchable in its time. Even with the speeds you listed, 10 Mph is significant. Combined with the manuverablility and 2 equally matched pilots (for arguements sake), I think the P-51 will smoke the Corsair every time. (Assuming D model is used, as I am not as familier with the B specs, but I know it was a bit underpowered.) The altitude capability alone would be enough for it to make the kill on the Corsair every time.

RobertN · Jun 15, 2004

Yes, I read they did terrible on initial carrier ops, but after bugs were worked out they did fine? I know landing the on a carrier was hard with the long nose. The British got around that by banking in so they could see the Landing Ops. Talking with a pilot who flew them in late WWII and into Korea before moving on to F9F's that what theey had to do.

DaveNay · Jun 15, 2004

( The Mustang could fly double the range of the Corsair. It also had a much better service ceiling (cruise altitude capability), was a lot lighter and more maneuverable.)

This is an excellent point. The P-51 was purpose designed for the european theater as a long range, high altitude bomber escort. Prior to that the Spitfires and Black Widows could only escort the bombers half way from England to Germany, and then another flight would meet them at the halfway point on the bombers return leg.

Dave

r0GuE · Jun 16, 2004

( Yes, I read they did terrible on initial carrier ops, but after bugs were worked out they did fine? I know landing the on a carrier was hard with the long nose. The British got around that by banking in so they could see the Landing Ops. Talking with a pilot who flew them in late WWII and into Korea before moving on to F9F's that what theey had to do. )

It is my understanding that they never did very well on the carriers, and that was the reason they were used by the Marines in the close air support role (after all, they were paid for!). I'm pretty sure they were never really adopted for the carrier role. Perhaps I am mistaken.

MJB · Jun 16, 2004

From my Encyclopedia of Warbirds here is the skinny on the P51 and F4U:

P51D
Engine: 1590 hp Packard V-1650-7 (License built Rolls Royce Merlin 61 Series) Liquid cooled V-12
Speed: 437mph
Rate of Climb: 3475 ft/min
Ceiling: 41900 ft
Combat range on internal fuel: 950 miles
Range with drop tanks: 1300 miles
Absolute range to dry tanks: 2080 miles
Weight empty: 7125 lbs
Weight with full combat load: 11,600 lbs
Typical armament: 6 50 cal Brownings in the wings with around 400 rounds each

F4U-5 (roughly concurrent build to P51D)
Engine: 2850 hp Pratt and Whitney R-2800-32 Double Wasp 18 cyl two row air cooled radial with water and methanol injection.
Speed: 462mph
Rate of Climb: 4800 ft/min
Ceiling: 44000 ft
Range on internal fuel: 1000 miles (No range specified for drop tanks)
Weight empty: 9900 lbs
Weight with full combat load: 15079 lbs
Typical armament: 6 50 cal Brownings in the wings with around 400 rounds each

The encyclopedia did not list any specifications for maneuverability but it is a good bet the P51 could out turn a Corsair. On all other specification but the Corsair beats the Mustang hands down. In the hands of equally skilled pilots the Corsair should come out on top just about every time. The Corsair pilot would not try to turn with the Mustang like they did not try to turn with the Zeros. The Corsair would use its higher speed to make passes at the opponent rather than try to out maneuver them.