Corsair Aces of World War 2The speed with which the Corsair was rushed into service as a land-based fighter obliged the pilots to learn on the job. The aircraft soon proved to be superior to the Japanese Zero and played a major part in the destruction of Japan's elite air forces in the South Pacific. Later, in an effort to counter the Kamikaze threat, the Corsair was once again hurriedly pressed into service; this time in its originally intended role as a shipboard fighter. This versatile aircraft saw service with the US Navy and Marines, the British Fleet Air Arm and the RNZAF. Most of the 4FU pilots who recount their experiences within these pages considered it to be the best all-round fighter in the Pacific theatre. |
Common terms and phrases
1st Lt USMC 2nd Lt aboard ACES OF WORLD ACES OF WW2 aeroplane Air Force airfields altitude April August B-26 MARAUDER bombers bombs Bougainville Boyington BuNo canopy Capt USMC carrier claimed cockpit combat command Conant confirmed victories Cupp damaged deck dive enemy aircraft escort Espiritu Espiritu Santo F4U-1 Corsair F4U-1A white February fighter fire fleet flew flight flown Gregory Boyington ground attack Guadalcanal guns Hedrick Hellcat HMS Victorious island January Japanese July Kahili kamikazes Kenneth A Walsh kill marks landing Lt Cdr Lt USMC VMF-221 Lt USN Lt(jg machine Maj Gregory Maj USMC mission Munda National Archives national insignia Navy Okinawa Olander Ondonga operations Pacific Pete Mersky pilots planes pulled Rabaul Ronnie Hay Russell Islands SBD DAUNTLESS scored shooting shot Solomons strike target Torokina unit USS Bunker Hill Vals Vella Lavella whilst flying Wildcat wing wingman Zeke Zero