The famous gull-winged fighter, originally known as the V-166B, was first developed after the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics put forward a request for proposed single-engine and two-engine fighter aircraft. The requested single-engine fighter was to have the highest maximum speed available but with a stall speed of no more than 70mph (110km/h). The aircraft was also required to have a range of at least 1,000 miles (1,600km) and should have at least three guns with an increased amount of armament as well as being capable of carrying bombs on the wings.

Chance-Vought signed a contract in 1938 to build such an aircraft and the XF4U-1 was built, wearing the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 (XR-2800-4 prototype) 18-cylinder, Double Wasp twin row engine. The first flight of the new fighter was performed on May 29, 1940. Later that year, the XF4U-1 became the first US single-engine fighter to exceed the 400mph (641km/h) mark ('ground' speed). The XF4U-1 also reached speeds of 550mph (890km/h) in full-power dive testing. However, the aircraft also experienced issues in reaching such speeds which meant resolving the issues before the aircraft could be produced. In early 1941, flight trials were performed by the US Navy and an order was placed for 584 F4U-1 fighter aircraft in April of that year with the first production aircraft, known then as the Corsair, taking flight in April.

The Corsair had a unique design in the wing, aside from being a foldable wing, it also had a wing designed known as an 'inverted gull wing.' The designed allowed for a longer main landing gear giving the massive Hamilton Standard 13 foot, 3 inch propeller the necessary ground clearance required. The landing gear, when retracted, would rotate through 90 degrees to allow for a full, clean retract into the wing. This wing design is one of the most recognizable wings to come out of the war. There's no mistaking the Corsair, whether in flight or on the ground.

The Corsair was a formidable fighter aircraft used by the US Navy and Marines, mostly in the Pacific War. Though wanted by the US Navy, issues with the aircraft meant they were not initially ideal for carrier based operations. The US Marine Corps, however, utilised ground based Corsairs with extremely devastating results. A carrier based Corsair didn't come to being until late in 1944 after several potentially dangerous issues were resolved, making the aircraft safer for pilots operating from carriers. Japanese ground forces referred to the Corsair as "whistling death" due to the sound it made in high speed dive ground attacks.

Though most Corsairs were outfitted with .50 calibre Browning M2 machine guns, there were some production models outfitted for different armament including four 20mm M2 cannons. Some models were outfitted with wing mounted rockets and bombs, carrying as much as four thousand pounds of assorted ordnance. A larger P&W Double Wasp 2,000hp engine was also produced for the Corsair adding to the aircraft's impressive performance.

The Corsair was produced from 1942 - 1953 and was the longest produced of any US piston-engine fighter aircraft. There were some 12,571 Corsairs manufactured, with the last aircraft delivered to the French in 1953. The Corsair was used by several other militaries including the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, French Navy, Argentine Navy, Air Force El Salvador, Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Honduran Air Force.

In 2019, the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Willow Run Airport, hosted a Gathering of Corsairs. The airshow organizers attempted to get as many Corsairs to attend the show as they could and, though they initially having 13 confirmed aircraft, there were 2 aircraft that did not make it. Sadly, one of those Corsairs was the Vintage Wings of Canada, Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm Corsair flown by Canadian, Lieutenant Robert Hampton "Hammie" Gray, VC, DSC, which suffered a devastating accident only a month before the airshow.

Of the 11 Corsairs that made the trip to Ypsilanti, all 11 flew in the airshow. They put on a great display, flying in a small formation (Saturday) and a larger formation on Sunday as well as performing multiple high speed and down and dirty passes for the crowds. The sleek and unique lines of the Corsair were shown in their full glory and the sound was beautifully deafening!

The last Corsairs to officially serve flew with the Honduran Air Force, retiring in 1979. There are several airworthy examples still flying today around the world, though most currently operate in the United States. Though reported as being a handful to land, many pilots loved flying the Corsair, including those who fly the aircraft today. If you want to see a Corsair in all its glory, visit a local airshow with a Corsair scheduled to fly on their performers list. You won't be disappointed!