CORSAIR F4U-4
Pratt & Whitney  R-2800-18W Engine

This aircraft was built by  GregoryP using version 4.00.164 of the AvHistory 1% Assembly Line process.  It is based on the outstanding F4U-4 visual created by Ed Wilson from Anthony Sullenger's CFS2 version.  Dynamic Virtual Cockpit is  by Ed Wilson.

Bravo/4 has painted this aircraft in the VMF-214 "BLACKSHEEP" livery of F4U-4 BuNum 62940 flown by Lt. Joseph R. Bibby, USMC.  Lt. Bibby's Corsair was hit by ground fire on a CAS run and he successfully crash landed his crippled plane at the Koto-ri airstrip.



Lt. Bibby's aircraft was destroyed by Marine sappers when the Koto-ri airstrip was abandoned & overrun by the Chinese on Dec 9, 1950 during the battle make famous by the sit rep "Retreat Hell, We are just attacking in a different direction".



The Blacksheep - VMF-214 supported the withdrawal of forces from the frozen Chosin Reservoir with distinction and completed two combat tours in Korea. 



They accounted for heavy damage to the communist forces by destroying troops, tanks, bridges, supply lines, heavy guns and enemy infrastructure.

The Blacksheep also had played a major aerial combat role in the Inchon Landing during the Korean conflict.  Operating aboard the USS Sicily Straits and the USS Boxer VMF-214 provided valuable close air support to the ground force. 

The Blacksheep were the first Marine Squadron to fly in combat over Korea. 

Designed by Beisel and Sikorsky, the F4U is regarded by many as one of the greatest combat aircraft in history, and was in production for a longer period of time than any US fighter other than the F4 Phantom.

As conceived it was intended to mount the most powerful engine, and biggest propeller, of any fighter in existence, and the prototype was the first US combat aircraft to exceed 400mph.

The F4U was used extensively in the Korean War, and production continued until December 1952, by which time 12,571 had been built.

BEAR
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