Any idea what's under the left wingtip of this Corsair? ...

[Mark Allen M]

It looks like some sort of light. But then again it kind of doesn't ...


NARA archive photo

[Taigh Ramey]

Looks just like a retractable landing light with an early sealed beam element.

[Obergrafeter]

Left hand turn lamp!

[Taigh Ramey]

The light is switched on too.

This looks like a photo from the same sequence



Found the shot here: http://forum.largescalemodeller.com/topic/1261-132-f4u-1-corsair-birdcage/

I think early F4U's had the landing light in the left wing and recognition lights in the right wing. No idea when this changed



Here you can see the notched cut out for the retractable landing light on the left which is a standard part used on most of the WWII aircraft and post war as well.

[Jesse C.]

[Mark Allen M]

Thanks Taigh, so it does look to be something real. I was also thinking it was the photo doctored up or something. I had the same photo you posted in my files. (EDIT: not the same photo but same Corsair a few seconds later.)


F4U-1 Corsair NAF Norfolk VA c 1943


F4U-1-Wing

[Triplane102]

Jesse C. I think you're on to something, A Tiny UFO? (Sorry, M.A.M ) it's been a Long day!

[Pat Carry]

sasquatch!

[Pat Carry]

at first glance it really looks to me like a screw in light bulb out there on the end of the wing.

[Sasquatch]

sasquatch!

You call?!

[Scooby]

Hi Mark,

I am not sure if you know you have been given the correct answer, it is the retractable landing light.

This light was deleted early in 1A production.

[Mark Allen M]

Yes thanks indeed, learn something new everyday. I knew it be some sort of landing light, but didn't know it would come out like that on the early 1A's. Interesting to see it come out in that position while flying at that altitude.

Thx again all

M

[eze240]

I was thinking it is a Foo Fighter.....

[shrike]

According to Edwards Park in Nannette extension of the retractable landing light on a P-39 could induce a sudden snap roll if the pilot wasn't ready for it.