It is mid 1940. FDR
has instructed the Department of Defense to upgrade all military hardware in the
event that the U.S. gets involved in the war. The Navy begins to upgrade all
aircraft, including those used for reconnaissance. It is known at this time that
the Navy's primary shipboard reconnaissance aircraft, the OS2U kingfisher is
approaching obsolescence. Having manufactured the Kingfisher, Vought Corp.
initiates the production of an aircraft far superior to the Kingfisher in every
aspect.
The XF4U-1S
"Super Kingfisher" is an entirely new design based on Vought's F4U-1
Corsair that is now entering production. The XF4U-1S is a Corsair airframe
modified for catapult deployment from battleships and large cruisers. The
landing gear is deleted and replaced with two large pontoon floats. Without the
need for a tail wheel an additional tailfin is added to the bottom of the
aircraft to improve vertical handling and yaw. The Super Kingfisher is powered
by a massive Pratt & Whitney R-2800-18 radial engine, generating 2100 HP.
With a much improved power to weight ratio the Super Kingfisher can easily carry
a Mark -IX torpedo or 2000 lbs of bombs, giving the Super kingfisher the added
punch of an attack aircraft. Additionally, The XF4U-1S carries two lethal wing
mounted 20mm canons. The XF4U-1s is equipped with a large four blade propeller.
This prop will not become standard on the Corsair until the introduction of the
F4U-4 in 1944.
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The XF4U-1S is
capable of speeds in excess of 400 mph, making it the fastest reconnaissance
aircraft of World War II. However, due to the Navy's dire need for the F4U
Corsair fighter, production of the Super Kingfisher is halted, leaving the OS2U
kingfisher to soldier on for the duration of the conflict. Plans to resurrect
the Super Kingfisher after the war's end are scrapped entirely with the advent
of the shipboard helicopter.
Bill
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