F4U Corsair

Kevin Dean, Jon Ramba, Tyler McCallConfiguration Aerodynamics

March 30, 2005

History

Carrier-based fighter- February, 1938

Designed by 6 men

First Flight – May 1,1940

Used the mostpowerful engine inthe world at that time,producing over 2000hp

(nicosfly.free.fr)

History

Over 12,500produced

Less than 30 stillairworthy today

Had a kill:death ratioof 11.3

(www.aoqz76.dsl.pipex.com)

Performance (F4U-1)

Max Speed: 417 mph

Cruise Speed: 182 mph

Ceiling: 36,900 ft

Max Range: 1,560 mi

Basic Geometry

Wing Span: 41 ft

Length: 33 ft 4 in.

Height: 16 ft 1 in.

Wing area: 314 ft2

Aspect Ratio: 5.5

Basic Geometry

Taper Ratio: 0.68

Tail Scrape Angle: 23.1°

Wetted Area: 1045 ft2

Tail Span: 16.6 ft

St/Sref: 0.22

Weights

Empty Weight: 8982 lbs

TOGW: 14000 lbs

Max Fuel: 537 gals (3222 lbs)

Wpayload/TOGW: 0.1283

WFuel/TOGW: 0.2301

Wing Loading: 28.5 lb/ft2

Neutral Point

CG approx. 10 ft from nose

Neutral Point = 14 ft

Cm/CL = -0.5272

Load split for trimmed cruise: 67.7 % on wing

32.3 % on tail

Propulsion System

Pratt-Whitney R-2800-18W DoubleWasp 18 cylinderradial engine

2000 hp @ 2700rpm

(www.aviation-history.com)

Aerodynamic Data

NACA 2415 Airfoil

t/c = 15 %

(otterpop.sbay.org)

Aerodynamic Data

28.365L/Dmax

0.2759CL at L/Dmax

Weight = 9000 lbs

22.212L/Dmax

0.3523CL at L/Dmax

Weight = 11491 lbs

18.233L/Dmax

0.4292CL at L/Dmax

Weight = TOGW = 14000 lbs

Using cruise speed 182 mph at sea level and assume straightand level flight (L=W)

23.985L/Dmax

0.326CL at L/Dmax

Using the FRICTION (Very Rough Estimate) and Cruisespeed 182 mph at sea level

CALCULATED PERFORMANCE

Control Surfaces

0.354b/bREF

0.2197S/SREF

RUDDER

0.365b/bREF

0.062S/SREF

AILERONS

0.46b/bREF

0.223S/SREF

FLAPS

0.941b/bREF

0.6028S/SREF

ELEVATORS

Armament

Six .50 calibermachine guns

2 1000 lb bombsOR 8 5 in. rockets

(www.aviation-history.com)

References

Swinhart, Earl (http://www.aviation-history.com/vought/f4u.html)

Tillman, Barrett. Corsair, The F4U inWorld War II and Korea. NavalInstitute Press, (1979)

Mason, William(http://www.aoe.vt.edu/~mason/Mason_f/MRsoft.html)