In combat, 60 inches was normal for takeoff, and with water injection and supercharger, they could go to 75 inches for 2500 h.p. and 450 M.P.H.! With the tail down and a bootful of right pedal, she comes off in a 3-point stance without a long roll. Safely airborne, I am reminded of the R2800 power as the machine accelerates nicely when cleaned-up. Unlike the Hellcat, there is no deceleration while the main wheels rotate 90 degrees during retraction. I climb up and check out its roll rates in turns either direction, then slow her down to see her slow-flight and stall characteristics in all configurations. (All the while, I am looking over my shoulder or into the sun for the attacking enemy!) Next, I check out her feel in aerobatics. Amazingly, the Corsair has a great roll rate in either direction. In the vertical, you can generate a lot of energy and she comes down hill with enthusiasm! I start my first loops at 300 knots and a 4-G pull, seeing a low of 140 over the top. The second loop starts at 250 kts. and I see 120 over the top. Ok, I’m happy with no altitude loss, so next time - I’ll work down to my eventual starting altitudes of 750 feet AGL for displays. She’s pretty straight forward in all regimes, so we’ll enter the circuit. (I hate to return with full ammunition trays and the tape still on my gunports!) I approach the aerodrome for a 250-knot pitch out/battle break. Power then back to 17 inches, not to be touched again. Flaps are selected gradually, stopping as the manual suggested at 30 degrees “until greater experience is acquired”. I hit the 180 point configured for landing and at 140 knots. I use my usual “Navy arc” and descend slowing to a 100 knot fence speed for these first wheel landings (later we’ll work on 90 knots at 50 flaps). Due to an interesting undercarriage structure for carrier landings, main-wheel landings are extremely smooth. It’s hard to tell when you’re on the ground. However, once the tail starts down, those large flaps blank the rudder (even at only 30 degrees), making steering very tricky. I retract the flaps after touch down and walk the tail down normally, but with great attention! There is a lot of momentum to be generated up front and divergence is not desired here! I taxi back and launch again for some full-stall 3-point landings. Those reduce the landing roll nicely, but are best left to minimal crosswind days. It’s definitely a fighter. It is responsive and well behaved, yet still tricky in some ways. I try to sense what those who checked out and flew it in the war must have felt, given what they had been flying - Harvards, Martlets and Hellcats. What a great weapons platform! Of all the WWII fighters, the Corsair continued longest in production after the war (until 1953 to be exact!). This was due to its superior capabilities as a fighterbomber in close-air support. I have now flown her in formation, done some good “dive bombing” as well as “dog fighting” against other fighter types. Inevitably I’m asked how the Corsair compares with these other types - the Bearcat, Mustang or whatever. The Corsair is
28 Pacific Flyer July/August 2012
JULY/AUGUST 26-48
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“ Of all the WWII fighters, the Corsair continued longest in production after the war (until 1953 to be exact!). This was due to its superior capabilities as a fighter-bomber in close-air support “
probably the best overall fighter-bomber of its era. You don’t “wear it” as comfortably as some others, but you do have a most distinct impression that this is the ultimate weapons platform of its time. And Huge!
Tall Tails of the South Pacifi c by Captain John Laming, AFC This highly readable anthology by John Laming reflects his colourful life experiences from schoolboy years in England during WW2, to those of a senior airline pilot, operating Boeing 737s throughout the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Laming’s name is well known to Australian readers as the author of numerous entertaining and instructive aviation magazine articles.
For all interested in aircraft and flying, it is a book not to be missed. Copies of the book are available from www.lulu.com then click Buy, then click search by title, and type in Tall Tails of the South Pacific. Cost of book is $30 US including postage.
www.pacificflyer.com.au
28/05/12 7:25 PM