F4U-4 Wings

[Clifford Bossie]

I realize that the was produced with the same type of outer wing as the F4U-1. i.e. The after portion of the wing was fabric covered. Now I also realize that many surviving F4U-4s had that fabric portion replaced with metal at some point. My assumption has always been that was done sometime after the aircraft entered the civilian world. Where any of the F4U-4s in still in service during the late 50's with either the USN, or USMC converted to all metal wings before being sent to pasture?

Yesterday while climbing over War Eagles F4U-4 (Bu. No. 81698) I noticed that placards on each outer wing panel were placards from from work done to the airframe in 1952. That work was to repair damage sustained in Korea and was performed in San Diego. The airframe was also sent through NARF (or whatever the name at the time) in 1954. I had always believed that the metal panels were added by Bob Bean, or someone else, when this Corsair received an N number in the 60's. They are also most certainly F4U-4 wings and not a later variant. So......... anybody have any idea on whether or not early F4Us flew with all metal wings while still in US service?

[famvburg]

What's the difference between -5 & -4 wings besides the metal? Won't -5 outer wings fit on a -4?

[Clifford Bossie]

What's the difference between -5 & -4 wings besides the metal? Won't -5 outer wings fit on a -4?

I have no idea whether they would fit or not, but in any case the wings in question are -4. The -4s had 6 (.50 cal) guns, where as the -4B had 4 (20mm).

[whistlingdeath77]

i believe when they made the F4U-5 and up, thats when they went to the all-metal wing. The F4U-4's had fabric and stayed that way. Current airshow corsairs still have the fabric. As for the wings working with other planes i'm not too sure about it. Briggs company made the wings for chance-vought. Not all goodyear,vought and brewster corsair pasts were interchangable. I wouldn't see why it wouldn't though with a little modification here and there

[famvburg]

Is the CAF's FG-1 no longer a current airshow Corsair?

i believe when they made the F4U-5 and up, thats when they went to the all-metal wing. The F4U-4's had fabric and stayed that way. Current airshow corsairs still have the fabric. As for the wings working with other planes i'm not too sure about it. Briggs company made the wings for chance-vought. Not all goodyear,vought and brewster corsair pasts were interchangable. I wouldn't see why it wouldn't though with a little modification here and there

[RMAllnutt]

What's the difference between -5 & -4 wings besides the metal? Won't -5 outer wings fit on a -4?

In many cases they will fit... I guess it just comes down to the tolerances in the parts. For instance, there is a current FG-1D (Cavanaughs?) which is fitted with what I assume are the wings from a -5 (metalized with the cannons installed).

Cheers,
Richard