F4U-1d Corsair

AIRCRAFT  DETAILS

REGISTRATION — VH-NQW

MANUFACTURER — Vought

POWERPLANT — 1x R-2800-8W Double-Wasp Radial Air-Cooled Engine

POWER — 2630hp

SPAN — 12.5m

LENGTH — 10.26m

MAX SPEED — 369kt   (684km/hr)

RANGE — 873NM (1617KM)

FIRST FLIGHT - 29 May 1940

TOTAL BUILT - 12,571+ (1685 1Ds)

INTRODUCED - 1942

PRODUCED - 1944 – 1945 (1D)

RETIRED - 1953 (USA)

USERS - 7 Countries

ARMAMENT

The f4U-1D had a payload of rockets (double the -1A's) carried on permanent launching rails, as well as twin pylons for bombs or drop tanks. It also featured 6x M2 Browning machine guns.

Meet VH-NQW, the world's only airworthy F4U-1D Corsair, now thrilling audiences as part of Paul Bennet Airshows' premier warbird fleet. This 1944-built Chance Vought masterpiece—Bureau Number 82640—was meticulously restored to flying condition and proudly wears the markings of VF-10 “Grim Reapers,” a nod to its WWII heritage.

Nicknamed “Whistling Death” by enemy forces, the Corsair earned its fearsome reputation in the Pacific Theatre with its distinctive gull-wing design, blistering speed, and formidable firepower. The F4U-1D variant introduced in April 1944 featured a powerful R-2800-8W engine with water injection, enhancing performance and enabling the aircraft to carry a heavier payload, including rockets and bombs.

Today, VH-NQW captivates crowds at Australian airshows, including its debut at the 2024 Barrington Coast Airshow in Taree, New South Wales. Its presence is more than a spectacle—it's a living tribute to aviation history and the brave pilots who once flew these legendary machines.

Experience the roar, the grace, and the legacy of this iconic warbird as it soars across the skies, keeping history alive with every flight.