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Posted by Tracy White on July 13, 2026, 22:47:32, in reply to "Re: Multi-part question regarding F4Us upon WW2 carrier decks"
The -4 started showing up on carrier decks in June of 1945.
CV-11 was heading back to fight following repair with Air Group 10 aboard. VBF-10 and VF-10 were both equipped with F4U-4s (about 50) and made a swing past Wake on August 6th 1945, beating up on the Japanese forces that had been left on the vine.
CV-16 Lexington with Air Group 95 was in combat starting in June 1945 with 36 F4U-4s assigned to VBF-95.
CV-18 Wasp also had VBF-86 of 36 F4U-4s plus one CAG starting in June of 1945, seeing combat in July and August.
Air Group 6 of CV-19 Hancock had been flying F4U-1/FG-1Ds but when Hancock hit Pearl Harbor for repairs in April/May 1945 VBF-6 transitioned to the -4, which they used on the Japanese home islands in July and August.
Previous Message
Bert Kinzey, U. S. Navy and Marine Carrier-Based Aircraft of World War 2 : “In the final months of World War 2, a new and considerably improved version of the Corsair was entering service. Designated the F4U-4, this variant could be distinguished by its four-blade propeller…. Only a few Marine squadrons saw combat with the F4U-4 before the war ended.”
Condon, Corsairs and Flattops , shows that all F4U-4 squadrons operated entirely from Okinawa. Previous Message
Multi part question here concerning F4U s upon carrier decks
1. When was the 3 bladed propellor F4U introduced to carrier decks during the war?
2. Who flew the aircraft ? USN aviators or Marine aviators and if Marine aviators were there “Marines” insignia upon their aircraft as we see after war?
3. When was the 4 bladed propellor F4U introduced upon WW2 carrier decks?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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