The gull wing F4U-4 was equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R-2800-18W, a 2100-horsepower engine with a two-stage supercharger and a new Hamilton Standard four-bladed, 13-foot-2 inch diameter propeller, it was rated a 446-mph fighter. It arrived on the battlefront in June of 1945 for the final push against the Japanese mainland.

The first flight of the production F4U-4 was in September 1944.

The F4U-4, with a rate-of-climb of nearly 4,000 feet per minute and a service ceiling of 41,500 feet, was the Navy’s answer to the much improved Japanese fighters that were arriving in the Pacific.

The new airplanes had a gross (combat) weight of 12,420 pounds and, in the cannon version, carried four 20 millimeter cannons, armed with 924 rounds each.

In addition to a new propeller, the F4U-4 had a completely redesigned cockpit, a new canopy for improved bubble effect, new armor-plated bucket seat, and regrouped instruments. Improved access to radio gear was made possible by the folding seat. A change was also made to a downdraft-type carburetor, and intake ducts were switched from the wings to the cowl.  Improved fighter-bomber capabilities were made possible by putting rocket stations on the outer wing panels.

Other versions of the F4U-4 produced during the war years were:

• F4U-4B: This airplane was equipped with four 20-mm cannons instead of 50-caliber machine guns (used in the early F4U-4 production) and eight 5-inch rockets under wings or up to 4,000 pounds on centerline and pylon racks. Vought built 297.
• F4U-4C: Many F4U-4’s became F4U-4C’s with four 20-mm cannons in the wing instead of six 50-caliber machine guns which were used in the early F4U-4 production.
• F4U-4N: This was a night version fighter of the F4U-4. Only one was built.
• F4U-4P: This airplane was equipped cameras installed behind the pilot. Vought built 9.

By the end of 1944, Chance Vought was turning out 300 Corsairs a month, or one complete air[plane every 82 minutes.  A total of 5,380 F4U’s were built during the year.

Chance Vought turned out 2,673, Brewster Aeronautical 599, and Goodyear Aircraft 2,108.