20.03.2009, 06:14
Number 327 clearly has 20mm cannons, it is a F4U-1C and is equipped for HVAR's. The other aircraft are armed with six 50 caliber machine guns and HVAR stubs, these are F4U-1D's. I know that they are not F4U-1A's because:
1. The photograph was taken in April of 1945 and these aircraft were participating in the battle for Okinawa, F4U-1A's had been relegated to rear areas and training duties.
2. F4U-1A's were painted in the three tone paint scheme. The only F4U-1A's to be painted in glossy sea blue were those that were overhauled and used in training units or rear areas.
3. F4U-1A's were not equipped with HVAR's.
4. F4U-1A's had a fuel tank overflow drain tube under each outer wing panel for the rubber fuel tank located in the wing, F4U-1C's and -1D's did not have these tanks and did not have the drain tube.
1. The photograph was taken in April of 1945 and these aircraft were participating in the battle for Okinawa, F4U-1A's had been relegated to rear areas and training duties.
2. F4U-1A's were painted in the three tone paint scheme. The only F4U-1A's to be painted in glossy sea blue were those that were overhauled and used in training units or rear areas.
3. F4U-1A's were not equipped with HVAR's.
4. F4U-1A's had a fuel tank overflow drain tube under each outer wing panel for the rubber fuel tank located in the wing, F4U-1C's and -1D's did not have these tanks and did not have the drain tube.