The Real F-4U Corsair
The F-4U Corsair is a very unique aircraft. The inverse gull wings give it an unmistakeable silhouette from the front and was mated to one of the largest engines ever used in a fighter - the Twin Wasp radial engine. Because of the power of this engine it required a 13 foot diameter prop. With a conventional wing design the landing gear could not get the nose high enough for the blades to clear the ground, resulting in the inverse gull-wing design that became the Corsair's most notable physical feature. The Corsair was the first fighter plane to break the 400mph mark in level flight, had an exceptional roll rate and was excellent in a dive. Dubbed the "Ensign Eliminator", it was a handful for an unskilled pilot (especially on carrier landings) but was a deadly adversary with an experienced pilot at the stick. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington broke Eddy Rickenbacker's record of "kills" (26) on his last mission in an F-4U, being credited with a total of 28 in his career. On that mission that, he was shot down and spent the last year or so of the war as a Prisoner Of War in Japan before being freed after the surrender in 1945.
For information on the Corsair:
The LEGO F-4U Corsair
.
.
.
.
.
.
The plane is not quite accurate, but I'm pleased with it as a "version one" attempt. Due to limited brick selection at that time, it really wasn't possible. The wings fold as did the Carrier based versions used by the U.S. Navy and the landing gear fully retract (though not accurately). The ailerons and flaps also work. Some of the brickwork is less than secure, leading to brick seperation as seen in some of the pictures. I hope to correct this and make the model more stable when I get around to rebuilding it.
Flight Line | Index | Joel's Lego Creations
Last Modified 11-09-2006