Greetings,
On my Corsair Information Forum (
http://f4ucorsair.freeforums.org/fixed-wing-corsairs-t193.html) I had a user post this and since I did not know I thought I would ask here:
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Can anyone confirm if some early FG-1 Corsairs were fixed wing? (and give a reference if you can?)
In Barrett Tillman's book "Corsair" he states "Many FG-1s were built with nonfolding wings during the period before Corsairs were put aboard carriers..."
Wikipedia also states (without citation) that FG-1 and FG-1A Corsairs were "A land-based version for the USMC, without the folding wing capability.."
My Grandfather flew Corsairs in the USMC, starting with VMF-212 in the Solomon Islands in 43' and continued flying them into the 50's.
Unfortunately he has passed away, but I am almost positive that he told me that all Corsairs had been manufactured with folding wings and tail hooks, but that some units had removed tail hooks and also some wing-fold hardware in the field to save weight. I'm also pretty sure he said all F4U-1, FG-1, and F3A-1 Corsairs were built to the same specifications.
Any information would be appreciated.
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Thanks in advance!